2. amps-preamps
  3. 1201402088

Herron VTSP 2 or First Sound PreAmps

I am considering going towards a tube pre-amp and the two pre-amps that i am considering to match my McCormack DNA 225 Mono blocks (upgraded by Steve) are the Herron's and First Sound.

I am looking towards getting more separation among players and instruments as well good overall tonal balance with more body.

my current set-up gives me quite a bit of all this at the moment but it is on the lean side.

I am traditionally a SS person but after hearing a friend's set up with tubes...i am now thinking of a tube pre.

I have heard the Herron at CES but not the First Sound...has anyone paired either of the units to McCormack gear...are both these brands at the same level of sound quality...

Also in terms of maintenance of these tube units...which is a better bet.

the rest of my system may be seen when you click on system.

Thanks for sharing...
teck5
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
FYI, Herron has a new 3 that he showed at CES.

Also, although I can't say I have much experience w/First Sound, I am very impressed with my Herron 1/166. In my rig, it has bettered many other preamps, some costing a fair amount more. It has very little sonic signature of its own and can produce subtle dynamic swings, a huge soundstage and most importantly natural timbre, if these things are on your recording.

Maintainence-wise, there's nothing to it. Probably same w/the FS. Cheers,
Spencer
teck5 OP
47 posts
 
Thanks Sbank for your information. How about the heat factor of the Herron. Does it run hot?

I was at CES and did stop by the Herron room, i thought it was one the better set up rooms.

Any other comments??
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
No, not hot at all.

One tweak I'm liking, is placing it on Rollerblock2's. Cheers,

Spencer
Post removed 
teck5 OP
47 posts
 
Hi Spencer / Tvad,

THank you for your responses.

Where i am, there is a Herron but no First Sound dealer and chances are i have to buy new....since voltage here is 240v. I would like to test any of these in my system first before making a decision...

If i could simplify the description of the sound of these two pre-amps, and compare it to the thread Reference DAC's (Teajay's thread) where there is a Flavor 1 or 2. How would the FS and Herron sound like?

For example, I find that the Herron VTSP 3 that i heard at CES, sounded more like a Flavor 2 with a good dose of Flavor 1. Recently too, a buddy of mine who is testing for a new pre-amp tried the Lamm LL2 Reference and Wavac....

Wow what a difference in presentation for both of them...I felt the Wavac was really a Flavor 1 (not tubish at all) and the Lamm was more Flavor 2 (lush and full mids)...

Sorry if i am rambling here, but i am a newbie to tubes and apart from the great sound i am looking forward to, i would also like to know the "difficulties" of using tube gear in terms of heat, replacement, etc....

Thanks
More to discover