Wait for a VTPH-2A if you can. I have no experience with Icon Audio, so won't comment on that.
I have compared the VTPH-2A to the Manley Chinook and the Pass Labs XP-15 phono stages, both very nice units. The Herron has more drive, dynamics, and detail and is incredibly quiet. It easily outclassed both of these units.
Like @islandmandan I went from a Modwright preamp (LS100) to the Herron VTSP-360 and it was also a nice improvement. The LS100 had a phono stage, but I never tried it and don't know how it compares to the PH9.0. I thought the LS100 might be a "forever" piece for a long time, but after hearing the VTPH-2A, I decided to try the VTSP-360.
I owned a couple of Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena stages. I'm not sure how they compare to the Nova III, but the Nova Phonomena was a higher model than the Nova at the time. It was great from a functionality standpoint with lots of loading and gain options, but was not as good as either the XP-15 or the Chinook, It was more "flat" sounding with less drive and dynamics and not even close to the VTPH-2A.
My comments are in no way a put down of Modwright, Pass Labs, or Manley's products, they are all very good, it's just that the VTPH-2A is better.