Any Herron VTPH-2 Phono Stage Owners out there?


Has anyone recently purchased a VTPH-2? Any thoughts compared to other phono stages costing around the same price of $3,600? That still is a lot of money and a lot of good competition out there. I was also looking at a couple of the Sutherland units (the DUO and the 20/20).

Another concern is that I have a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated Amp and was wondering how another tube phono stage would sound with the tube phono stage? Is it better to Mix solid state phono stage with a Tube Amp or keep it all the same (all tubes or all solid state?). My turntable is a VPI Prime with Ortofon Quintet black cartridge. Thanks!
djfst

Showing 1 response by casaross

I recently received a Herron VTPH-2 from Keith Herron. I bought the unit at the same time that I updated my VTSP-3A(r02) to (r03) status and updated my M1A's to current production standards. I own a Nagra VPS phono stage along with a Nagra PL-L line stage and Nagra VPA power amps, each of which is substantially more expensive than its Herron counterpart. While I have not completed a comprehensive comparison of the new and updated Herron pieces against their Nagra peers, after two full days of running in, I can say that the Herron gear holds its own with the Nagra gear. Of course, there seem to be pluses and minuses but it may be a bit early for me to declare one preferable to the other.

I can say, with absolute certainty, that Keith Herron is among the very best people in audio with whom to deal. He is honest,  accommodating, low-key and knowledgeable. He makes me - and others with whom I have spoken - want to own Herron gear. As I think about it, maybe I have undersold Keith as only being "among" the very best people in audio.