Yes, I actually owned a Herron VTPH-1 MC about a decade ago. I had no noise issues at all in my system, and it was a very good sounding unit, especially for the price. I can understand your trepidation regarding tubes, and as I mentioned previously, especially in the phono stage. That is were tubes are the most vulnerable to display their weakness': noise, channel imbalances, etc. I've actually owned tube phono stages much more expensive than the Herron that exhibited more tube anomalies. I believe the Herron is regarded as a hybrid design, not a pure tube design though, as it uses tubes and FET's in it's gain stages.
Still, as stated earlier, the Klyne 7PX5.0 was the best phono stage that I've ever owned. Now while it is extremely doubtful that you will find a 7PX5.0 for under $2000, you may find an older 7 series or a 6 series phono stage in your price range. Klyne is solid state, but it doesn't sound like solid state. That is why they are so hard to find on the used market.
Still, as stated earlier, the Klyne 7PX5.0 was the best phono stage that I've ever owned. Now while it is extremely doubtful that you will find a 7PX5.0 for under $2000, you may find an older 7 series or a 6 series phono stage in your price range. Klyne is solid state, but it doesn't sound like solid state. That is why they are so hard to find on the used market.