Three cheers for Keith Herron


A good friend of mine in Saint Louis is building a system centered around a new pair of Vandersteen Treo CT speakers. He has a nice Sota turntable, with a Lyra Delos on a Syrinx PU-3 going to a recently purchased Herron VTPH-2A phono pre. Currently he is using an old BAT 300SE integrated amp.  

Keith Herron was nice enough to bring over his new VTSP-360 Reference tube preamp and a pair of his M2 Monaural Power amplifiers and sit with us for several hours listening to music. 

We listened to digital and all analog sources. I noticed an improvement in the detail and clarity with the addition of the Herron electronics.  This led to more lifelike presentation. Very well controlled sound even at high volumes.  No sense of smearing during complex passages. There was neither a overly tubey nor a sterile solid state presentation. 

Keith talked about his top design priority of preserving the musical timing. Indeed there may have been some special synergy here with the time and phase accurate Vandersteens. Surely there is also the advantage of the chain from phono pre through amplification being all an Herron pathway.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Keith and listen to some fantastic stories of his time in the crazy hifi world.  He is such a nice down to earth guy who is truly in it for the music but uses his deep engineering expertise to get there. Fantastic stuff.

-Karl
 
128x128karl_desch
I’ve known Keith for over a decade now—never met him in person unfortunately but we always check in and catch up so I feel as though he lives next door. Currently running the latest iteration of his “Reference” line stage and VTPH-2A. Just flat out musical and thoroughly enjoyable equipment. Never any issues so well engineered just turn them on and let the fun begin!
A friend has Herron electronics in a very good sounding system.

I had the chance to chat with Keith a couple of times at CES/THE Show. He is very knowledgable about both electronics and music, plus seemed to be an all-round nice guy.
I have owned Keith's gear in one form or another since 2001.  I recently upgraded to his new pre amp and M2 amplifiers.  His equipment sounds excellent and doesn't break.  His service is the best in the industry and I try and support North American manufactures.  I just hope he has a succession plan for his company!
Coming around to read this late.  I would say I first achieved a higher end system with my previous use of the Herron amplification, VTSP-1a and M150 amps, which are still stored in my basement.  Keith is a self-effacing, true gentleman and was very helpful to me.  When a problem developed with my pre-amp (purchased used), he took it in and my sense was that he worked personally and diligently to find a loose connection.  No charge.  He and his company are a model in this industry.
Keith totally rocks! Haven't met him in person but I've talked to him on the phone and emailed back and forth; I bought both a VTPH-2A phono preamp and a VTSP-360-Reference from him; they're about fully broken in now, and my goodness do those sound great!!!!!!
There is always Herron gear in my home. Currently driving Larsen 8.2 speakers with Herron VTSP-360 and M2 monos in my living room. Great gear from a great guy.
I know Keith personally first as an audiophile then as a friend. Wonderful equipment from a truly wonderful person. 
When I ordered my VTPH2A back in January, Keith told me he had enough parts to build 14 more and that was it. 
I don't think it is so much Keith that has retired as the VTPH2A. Even that is not so much retired as discontinued. The reason he gave is due to inflation the price he would have to charge now would be "astronomical" and so he will build no more. Of the phono stage. Still building his other stuff, so far as I know.
I, as well, have his VTPH-2A phono, which I find to be wonderful.  He was a pleasure to deal with on the phone, and deserves all the accolades....
I thought I heard that Keith was retiring?  If so, good for him, but a loss for the audio community. 
One of his stories involved him showing up to an audio show (I can't remember which one) with the first iteration of his phono stage without having reserved any space.  He convinced someone to put it in their show system and try it.  Harry Pearson listened to it, loved it, and ended up reviewing it for Absolute Sound. 

Fortune favors the bold!
I have been researching audio gear for about 2 years now and have settled on a system that I can afford but his stuff has always been an aspiration for me. I can tell from what people say about it and from what is written about it that it is top-notch stuff. DeHavilland is another in that stratum, as far as I can tell. But she's retired, I think. 
I’m addicted to what the VTPH2A gas brought to my system! Lovely guy in all my communication with him, so nice to hear this story!
Karl - what a wonderful post and so very very true :-)

Keith is great and wonderful to deal with. I heard his excellent phono stage in Socal and approached him about me sending me one with a custom face plate that would fit my space, he accommodated my request with ease. Normally i use that in a system w Vandersteen Treo ( your friend is blessed ) and a Delos.

This Summer i chose to run the Herron w SOTA and a Hana with Vandersteen 7 and 7’s. Keith makes a phono stage that can keep up !,,

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3803

Finally, have your friend join the owners forum at Vandy.
@OP,  that is a wonderful evening!  Thank you for sharing.  That's exactly the sentiment and fact pattern needed around these parts. 

I, for one, have never owned any Herron gear. But, I would love to try some out.  He seems to understand circuits and have a good ear--all based on hearsay from folks I think get it.

Your description of the lack of smearing on busy passages within the music is very important to me.  Thank you for that. 
I have his M1 monoblocks, VTSP-360 linestage, and VTPH-2A phono stage. He is a super nice guy and makes wonderful gear.
Yes, indeed. If his other electronics are anything like his phono stage they are really something. Keith is a pleasure on the phone and I am sure even better in person. Nice story. Thanks for sharing.