VAC Owners:Outboard Phono Stage?


I'm contemplating my next upgrade. Thought you guys could help.

I spin mostly vinyl. I have a great analogue front end that feeds a VAC Standard LE pre and VAC PHI 200 amp, both of which I love. The MC stage on the pre is really good, but a little noisy (hiss). Kevin is sending me new 12AX7s that Brent will test for very low noise at the VACtory. Those guys just rock!

My question, however, is how much do I need to spend on an outboard MC phono stage if I want a significant upgrade to the already wonderful sound of the built-in stage?

I know, why don't I just enjoy the wonderful sound? Because it's upgrade time, baby! There will always be a next level (we really need a 12 step group for this hobby).

I'm looking at the Zesto Andros ($3900), the Herron VTPH-2 ($3700), and possibly the new Manley Chinook ($2200).

Ideally, I could audition these in my system, but the nearest dealer is far away, so I'll have to order one.

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks,
Alón (no, not Wolf)
alonski
UPDATE:
Well folks, I spent a lot of time with the VAC Sig mk2a flagship preamp at two recent highend shows... and now it's the end of november and I still can't get its unbelievable sound out of my head... So today, (drum roll, please) I bought one! I spoke with Kevin and he said It'll take a few weeks to get it to me because I'm getting the optional phono stage and they're back logged with orders... But I did it! It's coming! I will finally be able to A/B my SUT with the MC phono stage in the top of the line VAC, which, did I mention, I bought earlier today!? Can you tell I'm excited?

Thank you all for your guidance, ideas and shared experiences as I explored my options. This is the most I've ever spent on a single component and somehow, I feel calm about it... I even told my wife and she was supportive and gave me a congratulatory hug! Boy, talk about a guy getting lucky... I could be the poster child for "Lucky", standing next to my awesome wife sporting that incredulous goofy grin that I've worn since the day she said "yes!"

As soon as I get this baby in my system I'll post my initial impressions. Those of you who have the Sig2a with phono, how long did it take to burn in?
Congrads, you will love the preamp. There is a cd you can buy that will give you the right level for phono and you can break the phono stage in that way a lot quicker. I will post the name of the company.
JWM, thanks. I look forward to getting that CD phono stage burner... That seems like a no brainier! I assume I would just have feed the cd player into the phono inputs... Does it do MM/MC at the same time, or does each stage burn in separately?
Alón, congratulations! That is exciting indeed.

A note of caution, though. Although the chances of a problem occurring would seem to be very remote, I personally would never connect the output of a component capable of supplying upwards of 2 volts or so into the input of a component that is designed to receive and process millivolts or less. Especially one as special and as expensive as this.

Yes, the CD may be designed to cause the player to output a suitable level, but things can go wrong. The player can fail abruptly in unpredictable ways, or go berserk. AC power can drop out, or flicker off and on, causing the player to briefly do who knows what.

As I say, chances of a problem occurring are very small. But I would take NO chances with a component as special as this one.

Best regards,
-- Al
KAB makes an inexpensive RIAA adapter that enables you to plug a CD player's output into the phono stage input to burn in the latter. I don't think it presents the same safety risk that Almarg described by using a 'burn-in' CD alone. I used the KAB device recently to burn in my new phono stage and had no issues. Almarg- think that's safer?