That last detail is telling. AT has their fans but I am not one. Way too hi-fi sounding with exaggerated detail for me.
You just had a huge, major upgrade. I know. Upgraded to the same Herron last year and even from Audio Research PH3-SE it was a huge redefining experience. You can spend more money and get more features but pretty sure you cannot do any better. And I got Mikey Fremer on my side saying the Herron is as good as ANY Class A component. So relax and don't worry about the Herron.
That cartridge though, the exaggerated attacks it hypes out are no longer being glossed over but instead with the Herron are being amplified in all their AT infused glory.
What I would suggest you try is first, Keith Herron sends along some loading resistors. Try them. Try them all. Only takes a minute. You may be surprised what a little loading can do for an over zealous MC. At the very least it will give you some new understanding of phono playback.
Next thing I would try, Synergistic Research PHT. These little PHT things have an amazing ability to tweak and tune your cartridge and arm. They come in different "flavors", Green Dream and Black Velvet being my favorites. They stick on easily, are totally removable, and come with a 30 day money back guarantee. They don't eliminate surface noise but they do make a profound and fascinating improvement in what you hear. They work everywhere I've tried them, which will come in handy because....
Last thing I would try is a better cartridge. Koetsu has a reputation for de-emphasizing surface noise. For years I was put off by the price, and not wanting to buy the "cheapest" Koetsu, the Black Goldline, which was about the most I could afford. Once I got it though, what was I thinking??! Totally worth every penny. And then some. Not quite the bargain the Herron is. How often can you buy the best in the world for three grand? Congratulations, you got a lot of stuff you will probably want to be upgrading but the Herron is a keeper for life!
You just had a huge, major upgrade. I know. Upgraded to the same Herron last year and even from Audio Research PH3-SE it was a huge redefining experience. You can spend more money and get more features but pretty sure you cannot do any better. And I got Mikey Fremer on my side saying the Herron is as good as ANY Class A component. So relax and don't worry about the Herron.
That cartridge though, the exaggerated attacks it hypes out are no longer being glossed over but instead with the Herron are being amplified in all their AT infused glory.
What I would suggest you try is first, Keith Herron sends along some loading resistors. Try them. Try them all. Only takes a minute. You may be surprised what a little loading can do for an over zealous MC. At the very least it will give you some new understanding of phono playback.
Next thing I would try, Synergistic Research PHT. These little PHT things have an amazing ability to tweak and tune your cartridge and arm. They come in different "flavors", Green Dream and Black Velvet being my favorites. They stick on easily, are totally removable, and come with a 30 day money back guarantee. They don't eliminate surface noise but they do make a profound and fascinating improvement in what you hear. They work everywhere I've tried them, which will come in handy because....
Last thing I would try is a better cartridge. Koetsu has a reputation for de-emphasizing surface noise. For years I was put off by the price, and not wanting to buy the "cheapest" Koetsu, the Black Goldline, which was about the most I could afford. Once I got it though, what was I thinking??! Totally worth every penny. And then some. Not quite the bargain the Herron is. How often can you buy the best in the world for three grand? Congratulations, you got a lot of stuff you will probably want to be upgrading but the Herron is a keeper for life!