FirstWatt Buffer Preamp is what you need to avoid impedance missmatching.
Very simple passive preamp (no gain) with volume control per channel.
Very simple passive preamp (no gain) with volume control per channel.
My new to me Herron VTPH-2A - First impressions
Ok, so if you followed my other topic, you know I bought a used Herron VTPH-2A. It came Monday night, and I've been listening for the past couple of days..
Being used, it didn't really need a break in, but I let it warm up for a couple hours just to be safe.
Ok, so there has been a lot of hype for this phono stage here on the forum. I have one question. Is it hype if it lives up to just about everything good that's been said about it?
Just comparing it to my current setup (CJ PV10a with phono stage and a SUT), running thru the CJ, it's a huge improvement. I'll just talk in terms of musical timbre and extension here, acoustic instruments sound so much more right, and both bass and treble extension is much better. No only is there more bass, but it's way better. But the overall sound was still a bit soft. Ok, so that was the CJ.
I switched over to the Bel Canto I recently got. Sound was much better, but a little bit sterile, and the upper end was a bit harder than the CJ (not unexpected).
So I got a crazy idea. I thought I'd see what the Herron would sound like piped directly into my power amp. I did a little math, and some measuring of the Herron output to make sure it wouldn't overdrive or underdrive the amp's inputs, and it looked like a reasonable match. Turns out it worked out great, it was at a very reasonable listening level.
Ok, No upper range hardness, no softness, excellent, controlled extended bass.
Ok, so I think I have to rethink my preamp now. Luckily, I can send back the Bel Canto (still during the trial period) and I guess I'll be looking at a new preamp.
I'll be bringing it over to a friend's house this weekend, where we'll compare it to a couple of different phono preamps he owns.
Being used, it didn't really need a break in, but I let it warm up for a couple hours just to be safe.
Ok, so there has been a lot of hype for this phono stage here on the forum. I have one question. Is it hype if it lives up to just about everything good that's been said about it?
Just comparing it to my current setup (CJ PV10a with phono stage and a SUT), running thru the CJ, it's a huge improvement. I'll just talk in terms of musical timbre and extension here, acoustic instruments sound so much more right, and both bass and treble extension is much better. No only is there more bass, but it's way better. But the overall sound was still a bit soft. Ok, so that was the CJ.
I switched over to the Bel Canto I recently got. Sound was much better, but a little bit sterile, and the upper end was a bit harder than the CJ (not unexpected).
So I got a crazy idea. I thought I'd see what the Herron would sound like piped directly into my power amp. I did a little math, and some measuring of the Herron output to make sure it wouldn't overdrive or underdrive the amp's inputs, and it looked like a reasonable match. Turns out it worked out great, it was at a very reasonable listening level.
Ok, No upper range hardness, no softness, excellent, controlled extended bass.
Ok, so I think I have to rethink my preamp now. Luckily, I can send back the Bel Canto (still during the trial period) and I guess I'll be looking at a new preamp.
I'll be bringing it over to a friend's house this weekend, where we'll compare it to a couple of different phono preamps he owns.
Showing 3 responses by chakster
@lewm I said "passive preamp (no gain) with volume control per channel." Not passive device (you have to plug it into the power outlet). But look at this inside (my unit). Very simple design. In neutral, no coloration, pure When someone would like to connect something directly to the power amp without thinking about impedance issues then Buffer Preamp is a must have, it's great cost effective solution. And expensive line-level preamp with gain is not needed even it's from the same manufacturer like OP's phono stage. |
People are crazy about gain. It’s system depend, but in a good system, especially with high efficient speakers, you don’t need additional gain! I run my Tannoy System 15 mk2 with 1.5 power amp (Watts Yamamoto A-08s) with Vintage RCA 45 tubes. Even with 50% on passive volume control on my Pass Labs Aleph L it’s too loud (I mean enough for my big room). This model of Pass is passive/active. If users need additional gain then volume control must be at 3 o’clock. This volume with 98db speakers can kill me! I Have Gold Note PH-10 phono stage with optional gain, but I don’t need additional gain on phono stage even with LOMC carts 0.15 mV. So I assume many people who always looking for gain are users of power suckers! Those inefficient speakers of 86 db or so! |