Herron VTPH-2A discontinued

Correct @lewm. 4 x 12AX7 = 44dB, 2 x 12AX7 + 2 x 12AT7 = 42dB.

When Frank Van Alstine was installing his own circuit into the Dynaco PAS 2 & 3 pre-amps (in the 1980’s), he was using 5751 tubes in place of the stock 12AX7’s. The 5751 provides somewhat lower gain than the 12AX7, but Frank prefers it’s operational characteristics.

Roger Modjeski wasn’t a fan of the 12AX7 for phono gain usage (though he used that tube for the input/gain stage of his marvelous little RM- 10 power amp), preferring the 6DJ8. Tim de Paravicini (EAR-Yoshino) agreed with Roger, using the higher voltage version of the 6DJ8---the 7DJ8---in his pre-amps, for both phono and line stages.

That’s a bummer. Thanks inflation. I own a VPTH-2A and love it! Aside from switching out tube when they croak, I wonder how long one can expect a unit like this to last? 

I have the Herron vtph-1 mc plus.
I`ve often considered moving to the VTPH2.
I don`t see myself going back to a MM so I figured why spend money on features that are baked in to the design (for an additional cost) that I`ll never use.
Keith put blue LED`s in it for me when I asked if he could do that for me ! 

I left all the tubes stock except for a vintage Telefunken 12AU7 that I harvested from a C-20 years ago that has a painted green tip that from what I gather means low noise.
Mine sounds very nice.

I meant 12AT7 not 12AU7....

It will last longer than any of us, with occasional new tubes and very occasional replacement of electrolytic caps, like every 20 years. With heavy use a switch or potentiometer or tube socket might eventually need cleaning or replacement. But basically a unit like that has an indefinite lifespan. People still use Marantz and McIntosh preamps (and other brands) sold in the 1950s.