Herron VTPH-2 added to system (almost)

@islandmandan 

Exciting times ahead I’m sure, Dan. Nothing like a new piece of gear, enjoy.

Cheers,

Scott

These are exquisite! And with Keith now retired, few and far between. 

I have a VTPH-2A. As per Keith's recommendation I don't use any loading plugs regardless of whatever cartridge I'm using and prefer it that way. 

Thank you guys for your good wishes for me. It is exciting for an old guy (not much to get excited about these days, at least nothing good). 

I just listened to the first two sides of the tribute to Leonard Cohen, the quietest new vinyl I've ever heard. I'll be interested to see how it sounds with the Herron in the loop.

Best Wishes,

Dan

I certainly love my VTPH-2A. And Keith is wonderful. No need to tube roll and as mentioned, unloaded is the way to go! Listen in good health. 

Tremendous phono stage. Congrats.

Congrats, Dan. Looking forward to hearing your review.

You're lucky to find one now that Keith stopped making them. It will match up great with your preamp and I have a feeling you're going to love it.

The mart has one listed that looks to be in good shape.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.  I have the latest Herron pre amp and mono block amps in my system.  I have been using Keith's electronics for many years.  They never break and sound wonderful.  I won't change them unless I go to an integrated solution down the road.

For those who mentioned it, when you say unloaded do you mean not using any loading plugs or using the 47k ohm loading plugs?

I have a VTPH-2A as well and use it primarily for LOMC as it's very quiet. However, I am at a crossroads where I have decide which 2A I want to keep, this unit or my John Curl designed Vendetta Research SCP-2A.

I don't use any loading plugs. 

I don't use any loading at all for my MC cartridges with my old Modwright SWP 9.0 phono stage, with upgraded factory power supply.

I recently put my Zu Denon 103R with ESCCO cantilever and stylus back in, and I've never heard it sound better than it does now. I'll leave it in to hear how it sounds with the VTPH-2 behind it, it should be educational in an interesting way.

Regards,

Dan 

Congrats @islandmandan I have had my VTPH-2a for many years now and have never felt the urge to change. Super quiet, reliable, sounds great. I’m also using Keith’s Reference linestage which is equally awesome. Love the guy and his gear. Let us know how it all sounds once you get it connected up! PS I don’t use the loading plugs either though I have a full set.

Well, after chasing around for a few days getting my R/H speaker working right again, I finally had time to listen to some vinyl last night.

What a pleasure. Chick Corea's Play Wonder, Chopian,  etc; sounded the best my vinyl front end has ever sounded. I just turned off the lights and listened to a beautifully played piano.

I'm already in love with the Herron VTSP-2 phono stage. Much more vinyl listening is coming my way, I should think! 

Regards,

Dan 

So, for the record (!), does the Herron beat the well-regarded Modwright SWP 9.0 phono stage?

Yes Noromance, it does, though it's not an ass-kicking. I put my new cartridge on tonight (new to me), a Shure V-15 Type 5 MR and new stylus, and my analog front end has never souded better.

I couldn't be happier with how it sounds, and that's all that matters.

Best regards,

Dan

I hear that phono amp is something special. Enjoy.