Herron Audio VTPH-2A - Modwright PH 9.0X - Icon audio ps1 mkii

I just posted this on another forum, but I have heard both and think the PH9.0 and 9.0X kick the living daylights out of the Herron. The Herron is very polite in comparison, with the PH9.0 much more soulful, vibrant and holographic in comparison. The 9.0X even more so at a quieter noise level.

@audiosaurusrex Awesome! Did you go for the PH9.0 or X? I ended up upgrading mine with Reflektor tubes, both 6N23-P and 6C45 and use a Synergistic Research fuse. All made considerable differences!

@audiosaurusrex I used the blue then the orange. I haven’t stepped up to the purple yet because every component I own uses SR fuses of some sort, and that’s not an itch I can afford to scratch right now. I thought the blue was the best bang for the buck. I’m not even sold on the orange, which is softer and more refined in comparison, but I do own a number of them. But from black to blue was the biggest difference I’ve heard to date. 

@sns I can answer your questions! The PH9 and 9X are a SUBSTANTIAL improvement over the SWP 9.0 SE. This is the upgrade path I went through. The upgrade from SWP to PH9 was much greater than from going from the 9 to 9X, but the X upgrade is still worth it. I wholeheartedly loved the SWP, but with the PH9 there is just more to everything - musicality, tonal richness, holography, separation, resolution, you name it. I remember opening the box with Vlad Baselkov, owner of Audio Mirror. I installed the stage, and even without tube break in, the improvement of the PH9 was so substantial that it put a smile on both our faces. He immediately bought one for himself the following day. 
 

The ART9 line is also very special. I had the original ART9, and to date it might still be my favorite cartridge despite it being discontinued in favor of the XA and XI. I “upgraded” to other cartridges after breaking the ART9 cantilever. My upgrade path consisted of a Dynavector XV-1s and the TOTL Audio Technica ART1000, and I missed the balance and tonality of the ART9 compared to both of those MSRP $5K cartridges. I sold both of them and am now using an Air Tight PC-1s, which many say is like the ART9 on steroids. I am very happy with it, but it is definitely diminishing returns. In the future I may just find myself going back to the ART9XA or ART9XI. 

@audiosaurusrex Yes, SR tends to recommend stepping up one value. So 3.15A is a safe bet. I’ve used the suggested rated fuses in tube units and sometimes they have blown. My dealer replaced them for free the first/only two times, but from then on I always ordered one value up.