Herron Audio VTPH-2A - Modwright PH 9.0X - Icon audio ps1 mkii

I've got a Herron VTSP-360-Ref preamp and a Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp, and they are both magic. Keith puts some serious mojo into his gear. I'm glad I was able to get this stuff while he was still making them. I like tube gear that looks like tube gear with big tubes sticking out on top, but I also like tube gear like Keith's that you wouldn't guess was tube by looking at it or listening to it - just great, neutral sound that he happened to create using tubes. At least that's how it seems to me. I wish him well in retirement.... But used ones will become even more scarce, as I'd guess most people selling or trading their Herron gear are just moving further up the line to one of his newer models. 

I haven’t heard the Herron, but I do own the Modwright 9.0X. With the right tubes    (Bel/India in my case and are the same as Philips SQ in my case), I’d put it up against any phono pre at twice its price.  

Brother in law has the Nova III w LPS, very quiet and linear. He has a Ortofon Bronze on a mofi deck, very nice sound but not in the grade of sound of what is being mentioned this thread…

I just posted this on another forum, but I have heard both and think the PH9.0 and 9.0X kick the living daylights out of the Herron. The Herron is very polite in comparison, with the PH9.0 much more soulful, vibrant and holographic in comparison. The 9.0X even more so at a quieter noise level.

@thiefoflight Thanks for your insight. I just received mine. Packed meticulously, Rock Solid, Art and Engineering Excellence! I can't wait to hook it up.