First impression: Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp

Regarding the 8 db spec difference in S/N ratio between the VTPH-2 and VTPH-2A that George pointed out, I can say that one thing which has particularly amazed me about my VTPH-2 is how quiet it is. In fact when I listen with my Stax electrostatic headphones and no music is playing I hear absolutely nothing even with the volume control on the Stax amplifier at max (which is **way** higher than I would ever set it while listening to music). (With speakers I do hear some slight noise at high volume settings if I get close to the speakers, but that is clearly being introduced elsewhere in the system).

I see that the 80 db spec for the VTPH-2 is accompanied by the words "noise level will be tube dependent." Perhaps the 88 db spec for the 2A simply reflects a change Keith made in his choice of tube manufacturer at some point in the evolution of the design, and/or a change in the criteria he applies in the tests I assume he performs to weed out noisy tubes.

Best regards,
-- Al

I`ve been wondering lately if there would be an improvement going to the VTPH-2 from my VTPH-1 MC Plus.
On the surface it doesn`t seem to be cost effective for me because I don`t see myself going back to MM cartridges.
Why pay for features that I`ll not be using !?
Has anybody here compared the two versions using the same MC cartridge ?

George,
I found my Goldpoint and it's a 24 step SA1. If memory serves me correctly, I bought the "standard Issue" which means it's impedance is 25K ohms. I'll run the VTPH-2A through it this weekend direct line to my Bryston 4B Cubed and give an update.

@scm My opinion and to address your comment....

I have owned all the various versions of the VTPH-1 and VTPH-2 through the current revision.  Used the same table and cartridges when upgrading from the VTPH-1MC (with the latest revisions) to the VTPH-2.  As really good as the VTPH-1MC was (and still is), there is a very nice gain in performance, not subtle, in the VTPH-2, and another not subtle improvement in the VTPH-2a (the current revision).  It is an awesome performer.  IMO, at the top of the list of phono stages.  It would be a steal at three times its price.  At its current retail price, it is outright grand larceny.  

I agree and don't see any need for me to have mm / high level inputs, either.  I haven't heard a high output cartridge that has compelled me to move in that direction and give up the AT moving coil "house sound" and performance, or the Lyra moving coil performance.  But it is a nice convenience and possibly even a simplification of manufacturing for Herron Audio.  Increases the sellability when my heirs pry my stereo from my cold dead hands and liquidate my estate and stereo gear after my death in a [hopefully] distant decade.  

bpoletti,
I've picked up your comments about the VTPH-2A on other threads. I've got your back buddy, I've got your back. It's a bad-ass extraordinaire.