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 :(

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) :)

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.