VAC Owners:Outboard Phono Stage?

Alonski: I bit late to this party perhaps, but thought I would share a few thoughts. Back in May, I had an opportunity to A/B my EAR 834p Deluxe with the Herron VTPH2 for a couple weeks in my system. Ultimately went with the VTPH 2, as it presented so much more of the music unveiled than the EAR, at least within my system. Forever curious, I recently had an opportunity to audition the Zesto Andros against the Herron, and presently still A/B-ing between them. Tough call here. Although the Zesto has a significantly blacker background, great timbral representation of instrumental sources, and some nice moments with transient clarity, the Herron still images and lays out the sound stage far better. It also offers a bit more upper frequency clarity, and not so much the slight warmth that the Zesto, and of course the EAR, present. Low frequencies are solid and again, true-to-source timbrally, but I find the Herron to be equally so, though I've heard others express some disappointment with the Herron's low frequency presentation. The Zesto offers a plethora of mc load adjustments, etc, on the back panel. The Herron sim. with load plugs, although I run it unloaded for my Dyn XV-1s and it seems to really sing. Lots of positive reviews out there on the Zesto, but I must say, the Herron stands toe-to-toe, IMHO.

I agree with Mbump. I have not heard anything in my system better than the Herron VTPH-2. no upgraditis on the phono preamp front.

Podeschi and Mbump:
I'm still waiting to hear Keith's phono stage... I've been to two big shows recently and could not find a VTPH2 anywhere. But George with his Andros was everywhere, and I really like the Zesto sound. I spent over an hour playing everything from Steely Dan to Rimski-Korsakov on his well matched system. It's good, really good. But I did something really stupid... I took up an invitation to hear the new VAC Statement 450s paired with Kevin's top preamp the Sig Mk IIa and its built in phono stage driving Magico M5s and fed by a dual platter Kronos table and some superb cartridge... Dear God was that amazing! Bob the dealer played a cut of St. James Infirmary and with my eyes closed, Satchmo came to life in the room. I can't stop thinking about that experience. No phono stage I've ever heard can resolve recorded music like that. It was kind of spooky. So since getting the top of the line VAC pre may not happen this year... it's a goal I'm keeping alive.

Alonski, I agree with your statement made in relation to hearing the Vac pre w/phono paired up with the Vac Statement 450 mono blocks because thats been my current set-up for some time no driving my MBL 101E speakers and loven it. My table was the TW Acustic Black Knight with a Reed arm and MSL Ultra Be cart and sounds absolutely marvelous.

I have tried numerous costly external phono stages, I found my self liking this or that but upon listening back to my Vac just sounded amazing. My next phono to listen to is the Burmester 100, crazy price but ... Will see, also Kevin has been working on a Referrence phono which will be coming out soon and should be very interesting.

Received my VAC 450S and it is incredible....as great as my VAC 300.1a was, this is better...more holographic, makes the speakers disappear even more, etc. And I have non-flagship VAC preamp (Ren Mk III) which I love. Took delivery of the Magico S5 speakers, so now I am done...if I spend money it will be on little tweaks and headphone stuff.