There are a LOT of potential combinations that would provide pleasing vinyl playback. I have no particular dog in this fight, but would suggest one possible combination that would work well for the music you enjoy. Perhaps consider a VPI Prime, an AT OC9/II and a Herron Audio VTPH-2a.
The Prime is a solid performer and sounds much better than its price tag. The OC9/II is a great performer, tracks like a champ and the image and soundstage are quite excellent. It has a lot of the qualities of very expensive cartridges without the refinement and sophistication. The Herron Audio VTPH-2a is probably as good as it gets. There is no point in considering an upgrade to the VTPH-2a. IMO, none exists. I have heard nothing better and it's been a solid performer in my system for years.
I know several users of this combination with VERY GOOD results.
OK, that's a start. And just my opinion. |
My opinion....
I would agree with @oregonpapa on the cartridge selection, but not with the PH-8. The ART9 has a great reputation. I do not have ANY experience, but there are a lot of people that think it’s a great performer, particularly with your musical preferences. IMO, the PH-8 was "pretty good" in its day, but is bettered by a lot of phono stages since then. Again, IMO, the Herron Audio VTPH-2a stands alone at the top of the list. Just my opinion.
@jetson The plinth of the Prime Sig is a completely different material and construction than the basic Prime. As an engineer, keep in mind the tremendous amount of amplification of that tiny electrical signal coming from the cart. Not only will that signal be amplified, but every tiny resonance and bit of noise in the chain will be amplified as well and become part of the playback. Plinth construction and material are important.
Not meaning to sound preachy, but sometimes it’s important to focus on the details as well.
Another opinion on VPI tables in general....
The VPI feet do not seem to be very good. Many people prefer to place VPI tables on Stillpoint cones or Bear Claws and remove the VPI feet. There’s something about the rubber damping in the VPI feet that doesn’t work.
Sometimes the plinth can be overdamped (the VPI rubber feet?) and the signal can sound slightly dead with a loss of dynamics and timing. That has been the biggest complaint against VPI over the years. I have my Aries Extended on Stillpoint cones with an obvious improvement in performance. It turned a very good table into a great table. No problems from overdamped sound. Just my opinion. YMMV. |
@almarg Al, you are correct regarding the impedance mismatch. The OP may want to give Keith Herron a call to get his thoughts on mating the VTPH-2a to the Ayre. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes not. But I have always found Mr. Herron to be easy to talk to, honest and helpful.
@dodgealum Bear Claws are supposed to work pretty well, too. My Stillpoints came with the table so it wasn't painful. |
@rauliruegas Which models of Herron Audio equipment have you heard? Which carts did you try on those units? |
@rauliruegas It's obvious from your latest comment that you don't have any clue about the design of the VTPH-2a. That's not my opinion, it is a reflection of facts. The Herron VTPH-2a is not a pure tube phono stage. And your statement "
A good SS design always ( and I mean it. ) performs truer to the recording, tubes can’t do it." is unfounded in any facts. And you can present no proof that supports your statement. Facts do not support your description of the VTPH-2a. Your hatred of Herron Audio equipment is hard to understand.
I would forward that opinion that the Herron Audio VTPH-2a is the best in the field. I have not heard any better phono stage at any price. The price point you suggest is a figment, a fabrication, in your own mind. Just because it isn't unaffordably expensive or have a 3 inch thick face plate and weigh 100 pounds does not mean it is cheap or limited in performance. That is your error.
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@invictus005 - I didn't know the medical team was able to restore your hearing. What a wonderful development for you. First time you can hear since birth! |
@rauliruegas Your earlier criticisms of the Herron VTPH-2a contradict your back-peddling comment. And your statement "
A good SS design always ( and I mean it. ) performs truer to the recording, tubes can’t do it." is not supported in fact.
Maybe the real flawed component is your credibility. |
@rauliruegas I'll continue to enjoy the reproduction of phono I hear through the Herron Audio VTPH-2a. I have heard too many ss designs that sound harsh. I will leave you to listen to your favorite ss phono stage. Good luck. |
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@analogluvr +5
I have owned Herron Audio equipment since it was first made available. All my electronics are from Herron Audio including his exquisite amps. Oh, wait.... Not the digital transport.
Raul who? |
@chakster When you auditioned the Herron VTPH-2a, what other equipment was in use in the system? Which cartridge was used? |
@chakster How can you pass blind judgement against a unit you've never heard? Why are you so quick to pass negative judgement on Herron gear?
I have never heard anything as good as a Herron VTPH-2a nor have I heard an equal. Tube, solid state, hybrid. I can't claim to have heard the same 17,926 phono stages Raul claims, but I have heard quite a few. Herron tops what I've heard. |
@jetson My opinion...
And for that matter, a used early VPI TNT or Aries can be tweaked to perform outstanding without a lot of effort. There is a used fairly early TNT Hot Rod with a JMW-12 arm with a stand for sale for $3500 somewhere on another forum site with a for sale section. You will need to search around for it, but for $3500 for the entire package, I think it's a steal. Just my opinion. |
@jetson I have heard that VPI is willing to help check out their products. |
@sbank and @jetson
My opinion....
(I was the one making the suggestion on the "other forum."))
I have that early version of the JMW-12. Nothing at all wrong with it from either a performance or maintenance perspective. Even have two arm wands. My Ariea Extended is in the original configuration except for the feet (now three Stillpoint cones instead of the VPI sandals) and placing it on a maple butcher block board. It's an easy table to set up and when it's set up correctly, on those Stillpoint cones, it is a spectacular performer.
More opinion....
Without hearing the EXACT table under consideration, I would suggest that at $3500, it is the single best bargain in turntables currently available. Even if it is not a textbook Hot Rod, it's still a great table priced maybe $1500 below similar models.
And yet another boring opinion....
@sbank I hear very clearly your concerns. If the table is kept in its current configuration, it's my opinion that it will be a great performer. Even if it is converted to balanced outputs from the tonearm, that's a matter of a small box swap-out. Not sure how Mat / Harry suggests making that change. |
@sbank
My opinion....
Wow!! What a GREAT reason to use single-ended / unbalanced wiring! And a great reason to enjoy the superior performance of single ended electronics!! YOMV. |
@atmasphere Just a question to help my understanding of cartridge motor operation and loading. Only seeking information from one who knows....
Does cartridge loading impact motor operation, cartridge compliance, frequency response or other factors in playback? Or are these factors too insignificant to be considered when using a well-designed phono stage?
I don't mind if your answer is very detailed.
Thanks in advance,
Bill |
@atmasphere Thank you.
I'm using a Herron VTPH-2a (big surprise to everyone, eh?) with no loading. I have not experienced any change in the AT cartridges' performance run in that unit.
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@rauliruegas "enough for now"? Too much for nothing. Concise is nice.
So you're a manufacturer hawking your own design? That doesn't exactly make you an objective source of information. Since you're not an objective source of information, your credibility is damaged. Damaged credibility makes your opinions of little value regardless of your EXTREME verbosity. |
@rauliruegas Your words "there is no worst blind that the one that did not want to see." says the individual that refuses to "see" that engineering design of tube equipment can, and often does, provide superior results over solid state equipment.
I have finished responding to your epic novels.
You should study Dale Carnegie. |
