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Herron VTPH-2

So I recently performed some tweaks on my analog system such as cartridge alignment, VTA, and adding some Rega white belts to my Rega P7 TT and all of these made slight improvements. However what really made me hear the difference was my Herron VTPH-2 phono stage, hence why I made the tweaks. It has about one month on it and it has slowly opened up to now where the music is transparently intimate especially with good recordings. What I love about this phono stage is that it allows me to hear the music differently, allowing subtle notes in the background that I have heard before become a little more alive. So I am not hearing new things but hearing them differently for the better as well as the main instrumentation. So high ratings go to Keith and this phono stage especially at the price point.  

shanticat
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Great post! Have you heard of roller bearings (or perhaps Geoffrey’s springs)? They’re good under tube phono stages---isolation from micro-vibrations. Townshend’s Seismic Pod Isolators too, but they’re a little over-priced imo. Not in terms of cost-effectiveness, but in terms of cost-to-manufacture (it’s just a spring in a rubber sleeve, for God’s sake) to price ratio.
analogluvr
800 posts
 
I've heard nothing better than the Herron and the et2 and Delos are a wicked combo as well. I have those on a tnt. The odd time that bit of sweetness on the Delos annoys me a touch tho. I think the cart is the weak link there. 
lewm
6,770 posts
 
It's just my nature to want to understand "why".  I am well aware that this unit has its diehard devotees, and I do respect the love affair.  But can anyone communicate why technically this unit should be so exceptional?  There are oodles of phono stages that use 12AX7s and 12AT7s, and many of them are excellent indeed, but why would the Herron be so special?  The power supply is on-board, which has its pluses and minuses, and does not look to be superior to most in its topology.  (Is it choke-loaded, for example?) Inquiring minds, especially those who might purchase the product, want to know. The Herron website, apart from affording some photos, is not very informative on circuit design, parts used, etc. Thanks, and please don't take this as a negative.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
I myself don't know Lew, but I do know he worked on it for years, trying different RIAA circuits and gain topologies, before calling it "finished" and offering it for sale. If he has some spare time, I'll bet he wouldn't mind telling you all about it in a phone call. But don't quote me!
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
Hi Lew,

As someone who is also desirous of having an understanding of the "why" of things, I believe I can identify precisely the technical factor that is responsible for the excellence of the VTPH-2, that sets it apart from the competition:  It was designed and developed by Keith Herron :-)

As I and others have said here many times in the past, what usually matters most is how well a chosen design approach is implemented, and not which approach is chosen.  And when it comes to good implementation, the devil is in the details.

Best regards,
-- Al
 
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