@lalitk
How do you like the Hana Umami Red, particularly compared to the Hana ML? The Umami squarely on my radar.
How do you like the Hana Umami Red, particularly compared to the Hana ML? The Umami squarely on my radar.
Phonostage recommendations under $3K
Folks,
I am looking to step up from my current Parasound ZPhono XRM (still under 60 days audition trial). To be honest, I am quite pleased with its performance, feature set and flexibility. I mean what else you can expect from a $600 phono. While I enjoyed listening to vinyl through XRM, I feel there is room for improvement and XRM may be the weakest link in my vinyl setup. And since XRM is the only phono I’ve experienced in my setup, I don’t have quite have a reference point. So what else should I be considering under $3K?
I prefer a relaxed and slightly warm sound since I mostly listen to jazz genre.
I started to put together a list list based on sound quality and flexibility with gain and impedance settings.
Parasound JC 3+ Phono Pre
Allnic H-1202
Leben RS30 EQ (requires a SUT for MC Cart)
I hear high praises on Herron VTPH-2A but it’s bit more than I would like to spend at this time.
My current vinyl setup, Thorens TD1601, ZPhono XRM, Hana ML (low output - 0.4mv), Accuphase E-650 and Tannoy Canterbury’s.
I would really appreciate some recommendations based on your personal experiences. Thank you!
I am looking to step up from my current Parasound ZPhono XRM (still under 60 days audition trial). To be honest, I am quite pleased with its performance, feature set and flexibility. I mean what else you can expect from a $600 phono. While I enjoyed listening to vinyl through XRM, I feel there is room for improvement and XRM may be the weakest link in my vinyl setup. And since XRM is the only phono I’ve experienced in my setup, I don’t have quite have a reference point. So what else should I be considering under $3K?
I prefer a relaxed and slightly warm sound since I mostly listen to jazz genre.
I started to put together a list list based on sound quality and flexibility with gain and impedance settings.
Parasound JC 3+ Phono Pre
Allnic H-1202
Leben RS30 EQ (requires a SUT for MC Cart)
I hear high praises on Herron VTPH-2A but it’s bit more than I would like to spend at this time.
My current vinyl setup, Thorens TD1601, ZPhono XRM, Hana ML (low output - 0.4mv), Accuphase E-650 and Tannoy Canterbury’s.
I would really appreciate some recommendations based on your personal experiences. Thank you!
Showing 5 responses by three_easy_payments
@lalitk Did you tube rolled your VTPH-2A yet or still using stock tubes? If yes, what tubes you have tried and found to be best with VTPH-2A. Keith designs the VTPH2A around inexpensive EH tubes. I tried rolling other more expensive tubes in the Herron and always came back to the stock EH tubes. It's the only piece of tube gear I have that doesn't respond well to rolling. Keith will tell you that himself. Cost of future tubes are a non-issue with this pre. |
@simao Oddly enough, millercarbon is right in just how Herron products are. Actually MC is exaggerating here a bit as he almost always does. I spent 50% more on a Luxman EQ-500 which substantially betters the Herron in every respect. The VTPH2A in my view is hands down the best performing phono pre at it's price point but as you move up to the ~$6K range there are definitely better phono stages out there....not all at $6K+ are better but some certainly are - much better. The weakest link in the VTPH2A is the FET-based MC gain stage. The VTPH2A sounds best with a decent SUT if you're using a MC cart. |
Good luck. When my search was narrowed down to a few contenders I started looking at used. Never did see a Herron for sale. Saw one that had sold the day it was listed and before I started looking. Then kept looking a good 6 months after deciding it would be the Herron. (I buy components, not deals.) In 6 months I saw zero listed but two times people had them listed as WANTED. They come up for a sale used much more frequently these days. Over the past 2 weeks I've seen two listings alone. https://i.postimg.cc/pLfmt3KJ/Herron.jpg I may consider selling mine in the $2500 range as it sees very little use since getting my Luxman EQ-500. |
@mulveling The "$10K performance for $3K" theme is go-to rhetoric MC uses when referring to the Herron in numerous threads. I can both read and comprehend. Anyone can. https://i.postimg.cc/5yhVmT8r/10KBS.jpg |