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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
 
If you consider the LL2, I seriously recommend trying one in your rig before buying it. Of course, that's always good general advice, but here's what happened w/a friend of mine.
I'd like the LL2 when I heard it numerous times in show systems w/Lamm amps and other gear that the manufacturer thought was a good match.
My friend tried it with his Classe Omega amp/Wadia861/Eggleston Andra rig, and it faired poorly vs. 4-5 other preamps all equal or lower priced. A number of listeners all agreed that the Lamm was horrid in that system. I was very surprised. Can't say I have any idea how it might mate w/your McCormacks, but lesson learned: synergy is everything...Cheers,
Spencer
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teck5 OP
47 posts
 
thanks guys....

i did hear the LL2 with Goldmund Telos 400 monoblocks...it worked well and you could hear and almost feel the texture of the music.

LL2 is good but i agree it has that you have to hear it in system....the power supply did run hot though...
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swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I'm going to agree that the LL2 is probably very system dependent; I heard in one system that I was not familiar with and couldn't get out of the room fast enough; in another it was OK, but clearly outclassed by Aesthetix Calypso (and 2 other much more expensive pre-amps). Lots of folks like them, so there must be some synergistic amps/speakers/sources out there. The First Sound, in my system was very clean, crisp, neutral. Never heard a Herron.
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