Herron VTPH-2A discontinued

Sold out.  Gone to pasture.

Sold out.  Gone to pasture.

To keep price down Keith would have to order a production run of certain key parts like faceplates, chassis, etc. Depending on sales volume this could be something around a years worth or so of production. Prices have gone up so much since the last time, that this time he looked and said the price increase to produce would be astronomical. Probably one of several factors but a crucial one. Anyway, point is the VTPH2A was and is an awesome phono stage, it was selling well, but now will be made no more. A real shame, I don't know of anything to recommend in that price range, and as performance goes you are now realistically looking at $5-10k. It will be missed.

I contacted Keith about acquiring a VTPH-1mm, long after it had been superseded by the VTPH-2. My research on the phono amp had informed me that most of the improvements introduced in the VTPH-2 were to it's mc section, which is of no significance to me---I use only very high output (5mV!) pickups.

Keith just happened to have in stock a traded-in VTPH-1mc, which he offered to convert to a -1mm for me. Sold! While he did that, he went ahead and made a few upgrades to the -1mm's circuitry, one's incorporated into the mm section of the VTPH-2. I had him set up the amp for lowest gain (42dB)---accomplished via the choice of tubes (12AX7 vs. 12AT7), but he also sent along the tubes required to create 44dB of gain, just in case. Whatta guy!

There may be "better" phono amps available, but at what cost? My system is a modest one, and the VTPH-1mm is certainly not it's weakest link. Creating a balanced system is the key to sonic and musical satisfaction, and I'm quite happy with my Herron VTPH-1mm. 

12AT7 for low gain (42db); right?