Herron Audio VTPH-2A - Modwright PH 9.0X - Icon audio ps1 mkii

Hi, I bought the Herron VTSP 3A/360 preamplifier that was on sale here on A'gon.  I had no idea that I was going to buy a preamp, as I have a nice Modwright Line Stage that I thought was pretty darned good.

Now that I've been using the Herron for a little over a week, it has made me realize I'm finally hearing music the way I've wanted to hear it for nearly fifty years. My wild hairs don't usually cost this much, but I'm very glad I snapped up the Herron preamp.

Regards

Dan 

The 2a is a fantastic value and very neutral sonically. The Modwright is it’s equal in many ways. Both benefit from HRS damper blocks and couplers. I am running the 2a with a Damper and stillpoints. enjoy the search and the music.

Jim

I contacted Keith from Herron and he is no longer making the VTPH-2A. Scarcity of parts and he's gearing for retirement at 71. He said he's still producing a run of the VTSP/3A. Great man, I wish him well. So that strikes that one off the list. One of my dealers suggested Musical Surroundings Nova III as a good phonostage. Does anyone have any experience with this?

If you're not in a great hurry, wait for a used Herron phono stage to come up for sale. Put the money away and make it easily accessible, and when you see a VTPH-2A offered pounce on it immediately. They go quick!

Wait for a VTPH-2A if you can.  I have no experience with Icon Audio, so won't comment on that.

I have compared the VTPH-2A to the Manley Chinook and the Pass Labs XP-15 phono stages, both very nice units.  The Herron has more drive, dynamics, and detail and is incredibly quiet.  It easily outclassed both of these units.

Like @islandmandan I went from a Modwright preamp (LS100) to the Herron VTSP-360 and it was also a nice improvement.  The LS100 had a phono stage, but I never tried it and don't know how it compares to the PH9.0.  I thought the LS100 might be a "forever" piece for a long time, but after hearing the VTPH-2A, I decided to try the VTSP-360.  

I owned a couple of Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena stages.  I'm not sure how they compare to the Nova III, but the Nova Phonomena was a higher model than the Nova at the time.  It was great from a functionality standpoint with lots of loading and gain options, but was not as good as either the XP-15 or the Chinook,  It was more "flat" sounding with less drive and dynamics and not even close to the VTPH-2A.  

My comments are in no way a put down of Modwright, Pass Labs, or Manley's products, they are all very good, it's just that the VTPH-2A is better.