op
i think you are overthinking this
you run your gear lots lots of hours, tubes will burn out get microphonic need replacement - last i checked they haven’t fixed that problem about vacuum tubes
get a really good ss phono stage with plenty of gain and loading options - quite a few out there... be done, enjoy the music
not to say herron is not good stuff... it must be, there is a loyal, vocal following for this small proprietor owned outfit, excellent reputation - but if you want coffee and folks are saying tea because that is what they have chosen to drink, then is there really a debate? would herron put tubes in his phono stage and not have it in the signal path?
With regard to the Herron, am I reading it right that it is a hybrid design? The MC section is a fet based ss stage?
i think you are overthinking this
you run your gear lots lots of hours, tubes will burn out get microphonic need replacement - last i checked they haven’t fixed that problem about vacuum tubes
get a really good ss phono stage with plenty of gain and loading options - quite a few out there... be done, enjoy the music
not to say herron is not good stuff... it must be, there is a loyal, vocal following for this small proprietor owned outfit, excellent reputation - but if you want coffee and folks are saying tea because that is what they have chosen to drink, then is there really a debate? would herron put tubes in his phono stage and not have it in the signal path?