Herron VTPH-2A Phono Preamp....anyone familiar?

@chakster

Is it better in low register? The only weak point of the Gold Note in my system is the bass. But the best bass i have with mosfet phono stage (no tubes).

In the same system, the Herron was better in the low register, along with being better all other aspects. I can delineate the instruments but it’s not artificial, it’s more like being in the room with the artist.

The infinite loading surprised me.

For the Herron, I had 220 and 470ohm plugs made for my cartridge as this is what the Gold Note offered and sounded good when using. I initially tried the plugs with the Herron and it sounded excellent. When I removed the plugs and went infinite load, it elevated the subtleties and clarity.

I still think you can’t top the Gold Note up to maybe $2000 price range. But for what Keith offers the VTPH-2A for and his service, the price difference was more than well worth it for me.

Here's my system, just FYI:

Rega Planar 8
Ortofon Cadenza
Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated
ProAc D30RS (ribbon)
Herron VTPH-2A

The infinite loading surprised me.

For the Herron, I had 220 and 470ohm plugs made for my cartridge as this is what the Gold Note offered and sounded good when using. I initially tried the plugs with the Herron and it sounded excellent. When I removed the plugs and went infinite load, it elevated the subtleties and clarity.

47k Ohm loading on Gold Note for MC cartridges is almost "infinity", did you try that ? 

I have another phono stage with plug-in load resisteors (the JLTi) and i like 47k Ohm for some MC cartridges. My JLTi was customized by manufacturer, i have 500k Ohm resistor inside, so i can plug 47k Ohm resistor (rca plugs) from the outside just like in Herron.  

I have no problem with clarity using Gold Note, it is crystal clear phono stage, but i feel the obvious lack of deep bass in Gold Note compared to my upgraded WLM Phono stage which is a kind of body and bass compared to all phono stages i have tried. I tried the Gold Note with headamp and with sut, but the low register is still not as good as my WLM Phonata to my surprise.   

Maybe Lew is right and i have to look at the  output coupling capacitor inside the Gold Note. 

Why is this discussion of 9-18-2018 showing up now?

Why is this discussion of 9-18-2018 showing up now?

It wouldn't take much effort to read the post that re-started the discussion and you'd have your answer. 

There are MANY threads from years gone by that are still very applicable today and get resurrected for good reason.

I was interested in the Herron, rather than start a new thread, I did a search, saw this one and brought it back into the fray.

It is not uncommon.