New: Herron Audio VTSP-360 Vacuum Tube Stereo Preamplifier

joeinid

joeinid

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Herron has a great reputation, this one looks like a winner.

http://www.herronaudio.com/360specs.html


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Design Considerations

  • Multifunction remote control
  • Volume level display (0 - 100)
  • Switchable absolute polarity
  • Two gain modes (High and Low)
  • Stereo/mono switch
  • Full-range balance control
  • Home theater bypass function
  • Mute control
  • Display brightness control
  • Low noise design
  • Two main outputs
  • One tape output
  • Tape out/in loop
  • Six inputs including tape
  • 100K input impedance
  • 1/2 inch thick brushed aluminum anodized face plate
  • High input-signal capacity without overload
  • Automatic muting at startup and shutdown
  • Gold plated, Teflon-insulated RCA connectors
  • Hand-picked components for accurate response
  • Reversing power line (AC) polarity switch
  • Each unit is hand crafted, burned-in, and given rigorous bench and listening tests
[TABLE="class: spec"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"]Specifications[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"] Frequency Response[/TH]
[TD]1 Hz to beyond 100 kHz, 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Output Impedance[/TH]
[TD]100 ohms nominal at 1 kHz[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Input Impedance[/TH]
[TD]100,000 Ohms[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Gain[/TH]
[TD]14 dB in Hdb mode, 4 dB in Ldb mode[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Volume Control[/TH]
[TD]100-position electronic stepped attenuator, maximum differential 0.1 dB channel to channel[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Distortion[/TH]
[TD]<0.01% THD + Noise @ 1 volt r.m.s. output[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Absolute Polarity[/TH]
[TD]Switchable[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Dimensions[/TH]
[TD]17.6" wide x 4" high (including rubber feet) x 10.25" deep[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]Warranty[/TH]
[TD]3 years, parts and labor; tubes: 90 days[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="align: right"]U.S. Retail Price[/TH]
[TD] $6,550 U.S.D.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 

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A friend of mine just picked up their VTPH-2A phono stage and likes it very much. Nice build quality and Keith Herron is a gentleman who's very nice to work with.
 
Keith is tops.

I had the M150 solid-state monaural amplifier, VTPH-1 tubed phono preamplifier, and VTSP-1A tubed line stage preamplifier. I had some great listening sessions with them. Still wish I would have held on to the VTPH-1.
 
anyone know who the herron VTP-360 stacks up against the top preamps out there like the CJ GAT, veloce, luxman c900u, ayre, or audioresearch ref6? Thanks for your help.
 
Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.
 
Thanks Joe. I am in the market for a top notch preamp. I have a pair of sonus faber guarneri evos and also a pair of raidho c1.2s. Looking to find a magical combo. was thinking of herron 360 preamp and herron amp, or like others mentioned here, like the hegel 30 with a tube pre. What really interests me is maybe the luxman c900u that everyone says is great. any input is greatly appreciated!
 
My pleasure.

I can vouch for the C900u. It's a great preamp. I am not wild about the Hegel H30 and would look for something a little "smoother". I am sure the Herron preamp is awesome but I have never actually tried one. I have a few friends who swear by the Herron products and I am sure the new series is superb.

I think a budget is in order to help narrow down possible choices, as well as if you need or want tubes or solid state.

aerialacoustics said:
Thanks Joe. I am in the market for a top notch preamp. I have a pair of sonus faber guarneri evos and also a pair of raidho c1.2s. Looking to find a magical combo. was thinking of herron 360 preamp and herron amp, or like others mentioned here, like the hegel 30 with a tube pre. What really interests me is maybe the luxman c900u that everyone says is great. any input is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
 
I was trying to keep the cost of preamp around 7-8k. but i know the c900u is way more than that. if i thought it was my end preamp, then i would strongly consider it. It doesnt make a difference to me if it is tube or solid state. my priority for sound is a preamp or system that gives me a big open sound, large soundstage, natural and musical with a detailed but not bright sound. tight clean bass. i am looking for more of the clean and clear camp, than warm as my sonus guarneri are a touch on the warm side. the evos sound pretty big for a stand monitor, so i want to accentuate that. the luxman 900u comes to mind, maybe the simaudio 740p or herron pre(i heard is a clean yet musical preamp)Thanks!


joeinid said:
My pleasure.

I can vouch for the C900u. It's a great preamp. I am not wild about the Hegel H30 and would look for something a little "smoother". I am sure the Herron preamp is awesome but I have never actually tried one. I have a few friends who swear by the Herron products and I am sure the new series is superb.

I think a budget is in order to help narrow down possible choices, as well as if you need or want tubes or solid state.
Click to expand...
 
Wow! Sounds like you are describing the Luxman. New retail is $15K. I had Evos and loved them. The C900u could be perfect.

What amp do you have now? I did not see what you have now in any of the above posts.

I am sure the Luxman will match with just about anything as it has a low output impedance for starters.

I only briefly heard a low end Simaudio integrated once and it sounded great. I have no experience with their higher level gear.

The Herron combo will probably be less money but a great amp and preamp.

aerialacoustics said:
I was trying to keep the cost of preamp around 7-8k. but i know the c900u is way more than that. if i thought it was my end preamp, then i would strongly consider it. It doesn't make a difference to me if it is tube or solid state. my priority for sound is a preamp or system that gives me a big open sound, large soundstage, natural and musical with a detailed but not bright sound. tight clean bass. i am looking for more of the clean and clear camp, than warm as my sonus guarneri are a touch on the warm side. the evos sound pretty big for a stand monitor, so i want to accentuate that. the luxman 900u comes to mind, maybe the simaudio 740p or herron pre(i heard is a clean yet musical preamp)Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
There are certainly several other contenders in that price range but until you go a bit higher into Luxman c900u, ARC REF-6, Ayre territory the Herron based on the reputation of Keith's past gear will probably be hard to beat. Will also help if you decide on or narrow down your amp choices so you will know whether you need a balanced or single ended preamp or one that can do both.
 
yeah, i was thinking the luxman c900u would fit the bill. but if the herron is close, the money saved would be worth it. i have a hunch the herron gear is pretty good. but if the luxman is clearly head and shoulders above, then i will wait and get it and be done looking. right now I have a classe cp700 pre and classe cam 400 monos. pretty good, but i know there is better. after getting the luxman, i will then hunt for an amp. maybe the companion luxman amp or something less expensive that would go well with my goals. thanks for your help everyone.
 
yeah, i was thinking the luxman c900u would fit the bill. but if the herron is close, the money saved would be worth it. i have a hunch the herron gear is pretty good. but if the luxman is clearly head and shoulders above, then i will wait and get it and be done looking. right now I have a classe cp700 pre and classe cam 400 monos. pretty good, but i know there is better. after getting the luxman, i will then hunt for an amp. maybe the companion luxman amp or something less expensive that would go well with my goals. thanks for your help everyone.
 
Not really sure how you are going to know the answer to that question without getting them both in your listening room. You can buy the Herron preamp and mono's for the price of half the Luxman pair. I find it hard to believe they are twice as good. Also consider taking a flyer on the trial period for the Linear Tube Audio MZ2. That would save a pile of money to be used elsewhere. After Joe's rave reviews I would have tried it but my prefered amp is not fond of SE preamps.
 
Don’t kid yourself, the CAM 400 monos are wonderful amps. I know someone who loved the CAM 600 monos with a McIntosh preamp, a C2300 if I remember correctly. Was a wonderful combo.

Re: the LTA MZ2 preamp is superb for under $2200 loaded. There are several members here with them. They offer a 2 week trial if I remember correctly. You might love it.

I would venture to say that one of several preamps mated to your amps could be a wonderful match.

If purchased correctly, the PS Audio BHK preamp and your amps would be awesome as well.

Check that one out as well.
 
+1 on the BHK I love mine and the flavor can be changed to a point with an abundance of tube choices from the 12AU7,6DJ8 and 7DJ8 tube families. In fact the combo of the BHK preamp and amp is a good choice of power and tubes.
 
A big plus one.

Jack said:
+1 on the BHK I love mine and the flavor can be changed to a point with an abundance of tube choices from the 12AU7,6DJ8 and 7DJ8 tube families. In fact the combo of the BHK preamp and amp is a good choice of power and tubes.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for suggestions. I know it is not a fair comparison, but how does the zotl preamp compare to the luxman c900u or BHK?I heard great things about the zotl, from people at the capitol audio fest, but at that time Mark sneider had just came out with the unit, but no remote on the first model. I figured give him some time to tweak it. Now it seems like a big following. Also, for Joe, what do you mean if purchased correctly, the BHK preamp would be a good choice. Do you mean get at a good price on the used market, I presume? If so, w hat is a fair price for the BHK. thanks guys!
 
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