Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Herron Audio VTPH-1 MC Phono Preamp by cmk

Model:	VTPH-1 MC
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$3250
Description:	Vacuum Tube FET Hybrid Phono Preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Herron Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by cmk ( A ) on March 04, 2003 at 18:04:40
IP Address: 203.92.64.114

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Having read so many rave reviews of the Herron in the audio press, I had to try one. Just that I didn't get the opportunity to do so until......
It all started when reading about the new and improved Black Cube. I owned one so curiosity got the better of me and I brought it home for an audition. At about the same time, I also happened to stumble on the John Evans Groove. I asked for a demo of the Microgroove but didn't think much of it at the time, since they were in the same price range. With the PS P300, I did not notice any big differences between the cube and the upgraded cube. Probably the p300 removed all ps problems so both sounded similar. The Microgroove was a different story. It was just a bit better at reveiling detail and had better pace.
After some research on the JE Groove, I thought I'd also listen to it. Wow! I didn't know LP had that kind of resolution. Dynamics, bass slam, soundstaging, and low level resolution. It sounded like a whole new record collection. Roy Gregory and Michael Fremer were right, this is one excellent phono. Having never heard this level of performance before, this was a revelation. If I was going to put down that amount of $$$ for a phono, why not give it some competition...mmmmmmm...what else is competitive with it?
Then I remember seeing the Herron and decided to give it a try. I thought, no way this was going to better the Groove, it just gets so many things right. I requested for a 100ohm loading, but the dealer said to try 47K. Straight out of the box, the sound was dis-jointed. Pace was off, this couldn't be a class A product. Left the unit powered on for the night and listened again in the morning. A lot better, but the treble still exhibited some brightness. The soundstage was big, both wide and deep, with images extending beyond the spks.
After a full 24hours powered up, the sound was just fabulous. The turning point came when I listened to Heifetz playing Beethoven's violin concerto on RCA Living Stereo reissue. It was as if I was in the fifth row seat in the concert hall. The draw of the bow from start to finish was clearly evident. There was so much emotion and power, I was caught up in the performance. Instruments were well delineated from front to back, left to right. They had body and impact. Turning to some vocal pieces, I listened to Chie Ayoda. Her vocalisations were clearly audible as she went through her vibrato. So clear was the presentation, it had body and was placed in proportion to the piano. The piano's tone was beautiful, from the strike of the note, to the decay. To test the bass impact, I used a LP single of Eurythmics "Sweet Dreams are made of these". There was plenty of impact, the bass shook my sofa and there was excellent imaging. I couldn't stop tapping my feet.
I did some A-B with the Groove. I must point out that the differences should be read in the context of the cartridge used, the DV Te Kaitora. With a different cartridge/tt setup, your conclusions may vary. The main difference is that the Herron fleshed out the mids. While the Groove ended the note, the Herron continued just a bit longer. This gave the impression that the Groove was faster, and had better pace. The Herron had similar pace, but was more "expressive". Both had good soundstage width, extending beyond the spks. I felt the Herron had better separation of instruments in the soundstage, while the Groove was a bit congested. The Herron's presentation was more upfront, images appeared bigger/fuller. The Groove was more laid back, images were smaller. Both units are very quiet and will drive any mc, with the Groove being the quieter of the two. With higher gain(66db), the Herron sounded more dynamic.
In the end, it was the Herron that drew me into the music, and allowed to music to communicate so eloquently. I kept the review unit.

Product Weakness: Takes a while to warm up, ground connection not gripp.
Product Strengths: Excellent detail, big soundstage with good separation, very dynamic, full 3D presentation, communicates the emotion in the music.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Lazarus H-1B
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Diva Pro Classic 100
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Kuzma Stabi, Stogi Ref arm with Cardas wires.
Speakers:	Vandersteen 2CE Sig
Cables/Interconnects:	JPS Superconductor FX to phono, AZ Matrix Ref pre to power, XLO biwire to spk
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	various
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio P300, Cardas Golden power cords
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Takes a while to warm up, ground connection not gripp.
Product Strengths:	Excellent detail, big soundstage with good separation, very dynamic, full 3D presentation, communicates the emotion in the music.