Considering a new Phono Pre-Amp

You’ve obviously done your homework. It’s up to you now brother.

Too bad K&K Audio no longer produces the Maxed-Out or the Trio.

BTW, have you considered the Ray Samuels products?

In that same price range you should also consider the Allnic H-1202 and Modwright PH9.0. Depending on which of these you compare to the Herron (for instance), you may find some use and design features more suited to you - like use of Lundahl SUTs instead of a FET-based MC gain stage, or front-panel, on-the-fly gain and loading controls, a mono switch, or transformer-coupled balanced outputs. In terms of sound, well you just need to listen to see what suits your ears. The competition is fierce at this price point and there are a lot of really nice stages to choose from $3K-$4K.

Of the ones you’ve listed, I use the Herron in one of my systems. I can say this - it sounds far better using the MM inputs connected to a decent SUT if using a LOMC cart than using the internal FET-based MC gain stage. And I wish it had a mono switch and front panel controls. But yes it sounds very good, especially paired with a SUT - although I’d describe the sound as very neutral and clear not unlike a SS phono stage...plus it adds the slightest bit of midrange emphasis to my ears - so not ruler flat. So if you’re looking for a phono stage that delivers classic tubey sonics I wouldn’t say you’ll necessarily get that from the Herron.

-Goldnote Ph10
I like the ability of this device to change settings on the fly. Have read good reviews but also possible noise issues?

Can't remember any noise issue with my Gold Note PH-10 with PSU-10. If your cartridge is not 0.05mV like Ortofon MC2000 then you will never hear any noise using Gold Note PH-10 with 0.15mV and higher. 

The Herron and Manley of course are tube based so that’s one of the biggest differences between these 2 and the SimAudio and Goldnote.

Expect to hear more noise from the tubes until you will find some exceptional tubes (NOS). And prepare for tube rolling. 

Expect to hear more noise from the tubes until you will find some exceptional tubes (NOS). And prepare for tube rolling.

With the caveat that tube rolling is typically an exercise in futility with the Herron.  Keith has this unit voiced perfectly to the stock tubes.  I have always gone back to the original tubes after trying others.  The Manley likely responds to better to rolling.