Interesting the mention of the Herron. Cmk, have you ever heard it in conjunction with the VTSP-1A linestage? Having already bought a K&K phono stage (which I think is as good as most anything up to the Io non-signature) I decided not to get a VTPH-1mc when I bought the VTSP-1A, but understand it is a fine piece.
I have pined for a Io Sig. Mebbe some day.