2. amps-preamps
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Herron HL-1 Preamplifier, Solid State; Herron still in business? Thoughts about sound?

I'm looking into having a solid state preamp along with my other tube gear. I'm considering a Herron HL-1 preamp on the used market. Comments about Mr. Herron's gear and his reputation as a talented and kind man are all over the internet.

It seems he has retired or is in semi-retirement. His website has been de-commissioned, it seems.

So, two questions:

(a) I don't expect a unit to break quickly, so I'm more interested in how easy to fix his solid state preamp might be by a third party? If you have any thoughts about that kind of scenario, please let me know.

(b) More important, if you have had experience with the HL-1 Herron preamp, how would you characterize its sound compared to other things you've heard? Any other thoughts?

With all the hoopla around about gear, I find myself drawn back, again and again, to smaller makers who take pride in their work and genuinely care about listening to the things they make. This is why I'm drawn to makers like deHavilland, Herron, Quicksilver, Aric Audio, Atmasphere, and many others.

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Showing 1 response by bpoletti

bpoletti
1,529 posts
 

The HL-1 is extremely transparent, neutral and has zero colorations of its own.  It provides gain and has a remote control that is quite handy.  It is neither warm nor cold/dry.  

Keith Herron has a background in designing rugged, high-quality musical instrument electronics / amplifiers.  His conservative designs are reflected in the durability of Herron Audio products.  I would not be concerned with the care and feeding of the HL-1 as some other audio companies' offerings.  

 

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