Herron VTSP 2 or First Sound PreAmps

While the FS Presence Deluxe II is an excellent preamp (I owned one), I'm not sure I would associate it with having more body than a solid state preamp. It's a pretty neutral piece of gear.

Tube maintenance is simple as long as you have easy access to the cover from the top and sides. Mine was installed in a cabinet, so replacing tubes was more trouble, but it still took only about half an hour.

It helps to have a FS Presence Deluxe II with detachable umbilical cord to the power supply.

Hi Spencer / Tvad,

THank you for your responses.

Where i am, there is a Herron but no First Sound dealer and chances are i have to buy new....since voltage here is 240v. I would like to test any of these in my system first before making a decision...

If i could simplify the description of the sound of these two pre-amps, and compare it to the thread Reference DAC's (Teajay's thread) where there is a Flavor 1 or 2. How would the FS and Herron sound like?

For example, I find that the Herron VTSP 3 that i heard at CES, sounded more like a Flavor 2 with a good dose of Flavor 1. Recently too, a buddy of mine who is testing for a new pre-amp tried the Lamm LL2 Reference and Wavac....

Wow what a difference in presentation for both of them...I felt the Wavac was really a Flavor 1 (not tubish at all) and the Lamm was more Flavor 2 (lush and full mids)...

Sorry if i am rambling here, but i am a newbie to tubes and apart from the great sound i am looking forward to, i would also like to know the "difficulties" of using tube gear in terms of heat, replacement, etc....

Thanks

First Sound Presence Deluxe II is Flavor 1.

The Herron has little character of its own. Its flavor is "none of the above". It will allow you to hear the flavor of your other gear.

Joule LA150 MKII - Flav 2. Will flesh out the tonality of an SS amp; which sound like what you are looking for. Also love the Lamm LL2, but did not like dual pots and no remote.