Herron VTSP 2 or First Sound PreAmps

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...

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.

I have a First Sound preamp - I love tubes, and it's the last component that I own that's leaving my system. It delivers the body of tubes (an oboe sounds like an oboe, as opposed to a generic instrument) but at the same time provides the detail of SS. It's hard to split that difference, but Emmanuel has done it.

I have had a Herron VTSP-2 for the past two years. I sent it back to Herron 3 weeks ago and had it upgraded to the 3 and got it back several days ago. It is one of the best pre-amps that I have ever heard or used, either tube or solid state. The ambience retreval, tonal balance, and bass and mid-bass dynamics are all improved over the 2 and the 2 was no slouch in that area.I have had no problems with the 2 during the course the of two years.
It does not put out any heat and just gets warm to the touch but not hot.I have it paired with a set of Parasound Halo JC-1 mono amps and the sound is fantastic.
Also, there is no one in this business any better to deal with than Keith Herron. He is a true gentleman and is totally devoted to the accurate reproduction of music in musical terms.I do not think that you could ever go wrong in choosing a Herron pre-amp.