Herron VTPH-2A or Manley Chinook mk II phonostage


Anyone have a direct comparison with these two phonostage’s  the Herron and Manley. I currently have a Soundsmith MCP2 MK II with a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC ⭐️
I also am looking to upgrade my tt, and lets say my head has been spinning. 5-8000 range

current system
primaluna hp premium integrated 
focal Sopra 2
rel s/5 sub
luxman sm-150 cd
marantz tt-151S ( the one Clear audio built)
cardas parasec interconnects 

some tt I have been considering
dr Feickert - woodpecker or Blackbird
vpi
Vertere 
EAT Forte S Fatismo

not a lover of the round look

also have a VPI Classic 3 gently used offered to me by a very reliable source for 3 k

any help is welcomed as I have become overwhelmed.
 
Thanks
peter 


128x128tastypeter
You say the Herron was "measurably" superior to the Chinook.
I'm almost certain this is a figure of speech. 
lewm,
I dont know where you get your information from, but fake Telefunkens and Mullards and relatively rare and nearly impossible to fake correctly.  I have never known any fakes that can duplicate the Tele "diamond" or the characteristic internal structure of these tubes. Same with the internal structure of Philips Europe tubes as well as the acid etched codes which are present. Differentiating Matsushita 9 pins from Philips Europe is a bit more difficult but still no complicated. A bit of quick research and you can spot fakes from some distance. 
lewm, the comment I made re: measurably better was intended to be read as a synonym for significantly, materially, etc. I thought it was clear from my write-up that the only insights I shared were derived from my listening experience and not measurement equipment (and as those of us with tube-based systems will know, analytical measurements aren’t always indicative of sound quality).
Why has this thread not been resolved?  It's Herron VTPH-2A.  Period.  End of discussion.  

Now go get one and stop worrying.  You won't need to upgrade in the future.  

Agreed

So glad I got my Herron VTPH-2A 2 years ago. Using it with an Ortophon MC A95 on a much modded WTL Amadeus. I am consistently astounded by what I hear from this setup. 

No need to look for anything anymore.

It's a DIRTYROTTENSHAME that the Herron is out of production.

Recently a used one was listed on another site at the original retail price and was sold within a day.

For me, it truly is the termination of my quest for phono preamps.