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Herron VTPH-2A final thoughts.

A year ago, I took the plunge and purchased a new phono pre-amp, the VTPH-2A. I'd read numerous posts on this forum about how special it is, head and shoulders above the rest. I'd also read that Keith Herron is the definition of quality, in terms of knowledge, customer service, and being real as a human being.  I'll be as objective as I can be: everything that was stated is 100% true. I've easily spent hundreds of hours spinning up vinyl with the VTPH-2A and nearly every time my comment to myself is, "damn that's good." Many audiophiles would fret about the synergy with other system components. My opinion is that it would be an overachiever in any system that endeavors to produce fine music.
With respect to Keith, I contacted him not for technical support or customer service, but to let him know how pleased I was with my purchase. His response was so gracious, I felt like I was talking to a friend or good neighbor. Definitely someone honest and worth doing business with.
I want to close this post by thanking the folks on the forum for sharing experience and what you know. I live a very rural life and don't travel much. Opportunities to critique a variety of equipment at shows or audio shops are virtually nonexistent for me. Audiogon has been an excellent place to narrow down the thousands of possible choices that I could never possibly pursue and sometimes get solid advice =)
professorsvsu
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,085 posts
 

My experience exactly. I felt like my small sale was as important to Keith as a large one would have been. A pure class act, except it’s no act. I sat and talked with him at the Irvine Hi-Fi Show in 2014, I believe it was, and found him to be a down-to-Earth, no-pretense kinda guy. Maybe it comes from being from the Midwest!

Like some other excellent hi-fi designers, Keith comes from the Pro Sound world. Tim deParavicini (EAR-Yoshino) does a lot of work in recording studios, as did David Manley (a friend of mine who owns a studio has a Manley tube mic pre-amp, and loves it). The number one priority in Pro Sound is reliability, so designers like they (Roger Modjeski of Music Reference is another) use parts over-rated for the voltage levels they have to withstand. Great sound is important, but so is hassle-free operation!

czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I had my VTPH 2 upgraded to the 2A and as good as it was it is exceptional now. Quite possible one of the finest phono-stages available irregardless of price and most certainly competitive with the top tier products. It would have been a shame had he quit offering the VTPH-2A.

Chuck 
jcoehler's avatar
jcoehler
232 posts
 
I've purchased from the original owner a VTPH-2 that was just upgraded to the VTPH-2A and completely checked out by Keith. I'll be using an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, really excited to hear this based on all your great reviews. 

Does everyone here use it in the "infinite" loading setting?  I am also getting 220 and 470 ohm plugs.
jmolsberg's avatar
jmolsberg
467 posts
 
^ It is so good! I have never tried the included plugs with my VTPH-2A, probably never will (: 
Dynavector 20x2L

professorsvsu OP
78 posts
 
I use an AT-ART9 through the infinite load setting and it sounds brilliant. You'll almost certainly toy with different load plugs to see if there's any pleasant difference in sound. I did the same with my ART9 and just stayed with the infinite load.

It sounds as though you haven't fired up your VTPH-2A yet. Just a little friendly advice, set aside some serious listening time when it's ready to go. You'll listen to everything you're familiar with, then you'll start on the stack of vinyl that's collected dust for years. The VTPH-2A is good enough to create an addiction.
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