Herron Audio...Still in business

I bought a Herron VTPH-2A phono stage direct from Keith in 2018. I’m not affiliated with Herron nor an insider, but the bits and pieces I’ve gathered are as follows:

• Keith discontinued the VTPH-2A and went into semi-retirement a couple years ago. He was to continue servicing existing phono units, and continue building & selling other products (preamp, power amp).
• When a friend asked about it, (paraphrasing) the cost of building these phono stages would’ve gone up DRASTICALLY given current market forces. I’ve heard similar stories from other "high value" hifi manufacturers, like Rogue Audio recently discontinuing their Apollo tube monoblocks.
• Sometime in the past few months, Herron Audio’s website went down (domain expired?), and it’s stayed down.

As far as "run away", why? The products seem to be rock solid reliable. It’s a problem if you wanted to upgrade from an earlier version. The phono stage seemed to be fairly unique and filled a nice niche in the market - I don’t see other examples of a 5-tube RIAA circuit with that 12AX7 / 12AT7 complement. The JFET MC stage was also quite good, though I'm a SUT junkie and still usually prefer that route. The unit with stock Electro Harmonix 12AX7 tubes is quite bright. It's those tubes' fault - replace it with something slightly warm / sweet, and you're in business (you can leave the 12AT7 stock)!

Now, the gap between budget gear and high-high-end continues to widen :(

Long time Herron fan here and owner of a Reference 360 linestage and VTPH-2a phonostage. I am in regular contact with Keith, whom I consider a friend, and just had an email exchange with him about a week ago. @mulveling is spot on about the reliability of Herron gear. I've owned various Herron components for well over a decade now and have never had a single issue. He runs his tubes very conservatively and the build quality of his products is off the charts. While Keith is now semi-retired from Herron Audio, I understand this decision was driven mostly by the cost and availability of carefully selected parts and his general feeling that he had pushed his most recent designs to the pinnacle of performance. As always, Keith will continue to provide exemplary service and product support for his many clients for years to come. 

“Grab them fast or run away quickly?”

Well…Couple of questions and I’m asking them out of concern,

1) why invest in a product that is no longer being manufactured,
2) and how long one can expect a support on a discontinued product due to lack of part supplies even with the best intentions to service the product.

I get the stellar brand history and support but there are plethora of great choices to consider than buying a discontinued product. I came very near to buying Herron phonostage but when news broke, I decided to look elsewhere. Just my .02 cents.

@dodgealum + 1 - I also have a 360 Line Stage and 2a phono stage and have been delighted with their performance since I got them; some of the tubes are wearing out but I've got replacements on the way. I had to contact Keith last week about the tubes and he told me the same thing about semi-retirement (that's why he took the website down, but he will still respond to emails or calls) and continued support. Superb gear - I notice that one of the audiophile vinyl places (Acoustic Sounds or one of the other ones) that also sells gear is selling Herron Audio gear, I guess the last of it.... 

@lalitk With that rationale, why would anyone invest in a tri5 Chevy or a 65 Mustang? Long discontinued but ever still popular and a joy to operate.

If the item is in good working order, has the features and function you are looking for, and is a price you are willing to buy, then why the heck not pick up something from a "high value" hifi company?

Owner decided not to sell the Herron amps, but he did sell me a VTPH-1 phono stage. From what I've read, they were available as either a MM or MC model.

The one I bought has both MM and MC listed next to the model number on the rear. Any idea how I can tell which model it is. Maybe I could ask Keith Herron, if anyone has his email address. Thanks again.

Owner decided not to sell the Herron amps, but he did sell me a VTPH-1 phono stage. From what I've read, they were available as either a MM or MC model.

The one I bought has both MM and MC listed next to the model number on the rear. Any idea how I can tell which model it is. Maybe I could ask Keith Herron, if anyone has his email address. Thanks again.

@kolledog  If you have access to a MultiMeter (even a cheap one will do), I'd expect the input impedance of the MM version to measure 47,000 ohms, and the MC around 7,500 ohms according to Stereophile's measurements of their MC model:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/herron-audio-vtsp-1-preamplifier-vtph-1mc-phono-preamplifier-measurements-herron-vtph-1mc

If you got the MM model and need to do MC, consider adding a step-up transformer (SUT) :)

With that rationale, why would anyone invest in a tri5 Chevy or a 65 Mustang? Long discontinued but ever still popular and a joy to operate.

@nlitworld The auto industry is not an apt comparison to high-end audio. There are usually aftermarket parts available to keep older cars running and even if not, used parts can usually be easily found given the volume of cars that are typically produced. Plus, any decent mechanic can work on a car, but competent techs who are willing and able to work on relatively low-volume, high-end audio equipment are much harder to find.

As someone who owns speakers from a defunct manufacturer I can only liken it to walking on eggshells, and I just pray I never blow a driver or a crossover component. I can assure you it’s not fun situation and therefore @lalitk brings up a very valid point and something that should be very seriously considered by any prospective buyer of equipment from a manufacturer that’s no longer in business. Herron seems a little less risky for now given the continued support by Keith, but it’s still an issue nonetheless.

Last email keith@herronaudio.com

Thanks for all the replies!

@soix ​​​​​​ almost every high end audio component made can be hard to find proprietary components like circuit boards even if the company is still in business. These companies don't generally keep a stock of this stuff for discontinued items very long.  You could just buy point to point wired tube equipment, then no problem finding all the electronic parts needed to fix it.

Keith may be retired now. Last I looked, his website is gone. I have Herron M2 monoblock amps, Herron vtsp-360 preamp, and the VTPH-2A phono stage. All his gear is clean, detailed, and neutral sounding. If you come across any of his gear, it’s a good value. The vtsp-360 replaced the LS100 I bought from you. I loved the LS100 but the vtsp-360 was noticeably better. 

His website domain was allowed to expire. By all accounts, he can still be contacted directly. I have no concerns about the longevity of his phono stage, either way. If I had an aging SS power amplifier with OOP transistors (quite common), that would be something to be concerned about.

I just find it funny a marketplace that still buys Carver gear is questioning the value of Herron gear lol.

Keith told me that one of his design goals is to build gear that will not come back for repairs. That's why all his amps are SS.

I have had Herron gear for years (around 2002).  I have only changed to upgrade to the current models.  I have never had any kind of a failure and will keep my 360 reference pre amp and M2 amps for the long haul. 

I needed help with my VTPH-2A today, emailed Keith and he replied immediately with info for me, my problem solved. Don’t hesitate.

does keith have any “NOS” of his electronics remaining for sale? do they come up much in the 2nd hand mkt?

Wondering if there is a way to contact Keith via email? I have his amps and need to ask him about service (they are working fine, thankfully), or preventative service.

Thanks

@gera - try keith@herronaudio.com. I've got a phono preamp and line stage preamp from Herron Audio. He's pretty much retired, I think, but he's still happy to answer questions about his gear. 

Thanks! I’ll share my findings with other Herron users.

There's a BIG difference between products no longer made and products no longer supported. Having support is what's most important to me. Having this mindset can also discount many things from the used market that longer have support from the manufacturer. Why stop there? How about 1- or 2-man boutique companies? When the founder passes away or retires you will most likely lose all support.

Update:

I sent an email to Keith at Herron and he responded quickly, answering all my questions. I'm glad to say that he still supports his products (I have the M1 amps).