Herron VTSP-3A

Wow! A Herron thread!!

I love Keith's gear and think he must be one of the most underrated designers in audio. Whatever he makes...pre-amp, phono-amp, power amp - it just sounds like - MUSIC. Plus they are reliable and worry free. Why doesn't Keith get more ink???

I had Keith's VTSP-1a-166 and M150s and it was heavenly with my Alons.

I do think there's a definite synergy between the Herron pre-amps and power amps. I tried Rowland with my speaks ages ago but thought the Herron/Herron combo was terrific. I highly recommend the amps as well as the pre's, they simply don't get the praise they deserve.

I too had tried many big name preamps: Hovland, First Sound, ARC, Cat, Joule-Electra etc. For me the Herron just maed music sound "alive" and natural. The gear itself doesn't really "sound" like anything at all. It just gets the heck outa the way and lets the music roll.

I can't say enough good things about Herron gear, Herron service and Herron quality. Can't wait to hear the newest preamp, and hope this piece helps spread the word about Keith's products.

Violin, yeah from what SFlazor posted above, it sounds like the 3A is considerbly better than the 3. Let us know your thoughts after it comes in.

I have been spending some more time listening, I still can't get over how good this preamp is and I'm still using the stock power cord and I have it plugged in to the wall too. I mentioned in my initial post, the Herron pretty much ehances or improves all aspects of the sound. I would describe it as a preamp that does not have any trade offs. It has good spacing, air, warmth, soundstaging, imaging, tone, yet at the same time has outstanding frequency extension and detail.

Interesting thread. I've been eyeing the VTSP-2, though, that is in my short list with the Lamm LL2, First Sound Presence, and Joule LA-150, to be paired with a McIntosh MC275. Any thoughts sound-wise from experienced Herron owners who have also had First Sound and/or Lamm?

Thanks!

Lewinskih01, if Tvad is reading this thread, he could advise you regarding the LL2 and First Sound preamps, not sure about the Joule. IIRC, he said the LL2 is very system-dependent. If he doesn't pipe up here, you could always email him.

Bill

Rackon, I agree with you. Until this thread appeared I thought that I was the only one on Agon that owned any Herron gear and wondered why more people did not mention Herron Audio.
Lewinskih01, I also have a Joule Electra LA 150 II and there are differences. In my system the LA 150 has great bass and mid-range, actually a little too much warmth,IMHO to be absolutely accurate, but the top end gets constricted when called on to reproduce the treble at loud passages.I understand that the A mod to the VTSP increases it's low end and overall dynamics which I thought were pretty great before.However I cannot comment on the A mod until I get my unit back and it breaks in.
In my system, I definitely prefer the Herron even as just the 3 over the LA 150.
Carter