Conrad Johnson and Herron comparisons

From a different angle .......I like CJ's website - offers a level of transparency with regards to upgrades, cost of upgrades, what these entail etc.... have to say the same for Rogue Audio....
I really like the form factor of the Herron products - very functional, with numerous useful design features. I'm disappointed that their website does not more clearly discuss upgrades. Additionally, upgrades are not offered on legacy products!, this came as a surprise to me - this is a big negative for folks left with older components who haven't upgraded- leaving their products less worthy of resale.

Upgraded to a Rev3, LOL

I felt if I narrowed it down, there’d be even fewer responses.....but Ill try -

Herron VTSP 3a (revisions 1-3) vs...CJ ET3’s/ET5’s

....loved reading all of your responses so far...thanks folks

Languidcrane, I don't mind at all, thank you for asking and enriching this thread.... interesting that The Herron VTSP 3A & 360 are so highly rated here....they aren't the easiest to come by used tho'.....and the VTSP 360 new is quite a chunk of cash.... I'd love to get my hands on a VTSP 3a rev3 or a 360.
Also interesting to learn that the CJ ET5 has a propensity to burn out tubes....that might make one reconsider one's options..JJSS49's suggestion of using the 7DJ8's is a potential solution, I wonder what other ET5 owners feel about the effects on the sound using the 7DJ8 variant.

I really can't disagree with you.....pick the product that makes you happy is sound advice - (no pun intended).

To clarify......When I meant "upgrades" - I didn't mean transforming the older legacy products into the latest generation offerings - I meant "revisions" that had been offered in the past - for example a VTSP 3A preamp stuck in 1st gen cannot now be revised into a 3rd revision anymore as the VTSP 3A is considered an "obsolete" product.

@jjss49 

couldnt have stated those words of wisdom any better....... exactly my philosophy...and I’ve been in this game for a pretty long time as well 

Good Luck with your sale dodgealum. Yes, unfortunately, it’s from the horses mouth....a VTSP 3a that’s not rev 3 cannot be upgraded anymore from a 1 or a 2, as it’s “obsolete”. 

I finally pulled the trigger on a Herron VTSP 3A - .......lovely, lovely, lovely.....
Works seamlessly with my Pass XA 30.8/Klipschorns...really like some of the unique features on it - "invert switch", ac polarity switch, remote is a bit dinky, but does the job!

Cant beat upgraditis.

You do have an eagle eye!!!

@jjss49 Ive purchased a rev3, and plan to post my subjective views on the differences soon, complete with internal pics to show any internal differences (if any obvious ones can be noted). Ive sent a few emails to Mr Herron about the upgrade situation, and since that was a no go, I ended up buying an upgraded unit. I was quite happy with the un revised VTSP3a's sound, but curiosity and the upgrade itch got the better of me.
I plan to continue to listen to the units (whilst the one I have on sale is still in my hands) with a wide range of music, using vinyl and digital formats. I find comparisons easier with well mastered CD's. 

VTSP 3a runs 3 pairs of 6922's. 1 pair may be for voltage/power rectification, (don't quote me on that last part.

Just saw this, sorry, I thought the thread was dormant........I personally have not experienced all three of them and hence am not qualified to compare.....some others may have and I look forward to their opinion.

I have owned and operated a Herron VTSP 3a rev 1 and 3 - Im able to say they are both extremely capable, sweet sounding, robustly built, thoughtfully functional preamps.