New: Herron Audio VTSP-360 Vacuum Tube Stereo Preamplifier

Where are you located?

Sometimes you can find some gear with the holiday price still in effect or a dealer with a gently demoed piece as good as new.
 
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The new MZ2 units have optional remote control and better external power supplies available. They are simply outstanding. RCA only but the performance is beyond reproach. Frankly, I’d buy the MZ2 and save up for a killer amp, possibly tubes if you are inclined.

In fact I know someone using the MZ with a CJ ARTsa and is blown away with the combo. That would be world class performance on your speakers.
 
Coming from someone who owns the luxman, I guess the MZ2 is a great buy. I am located in california, so maybe there are some ps audio dealers near, I have to check. But from what you describe, the MZ2 can compete with the best preamps out there right now. I heard great things about it a few years ago, now I will definitely try it. If it matches well with my classe monos then great. If not, I will be shopping for a really good solid state amp that can really make my Guarneri evos sing. Thanks for the advice!!!


joeinid said:
The new MZ2 units have optional remote control and better external power supplies available. They are simply outstanding. RCA only but the performance is beyond reproach. Frankly, I’d buy the MZ2 and save up for a killer amp, possibly tubes if you are inclined.

In fact I know someone using the MZ with a CJ ARTsa and is blown away with the combo. That would be world class performance on your speakers.
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There’s nothing to lose. At least a few weeks trial period and I know that me and two others specifically that kept the LTA MZ2. You can tube roll the 12AT7/12AU7 to suit your needs. I don’t think the other tubes affect the sound of the preamp section.

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by the way, anybody have any experience or know about the new audible illusions L3a preamp? any thoughts? my guess is the zotl is better. but anyone hear the L3a?
 
If you are talking about the LTA then I would touch base with them and verify whether or not the 6SN7's have any effect on the preamp functions or are just the drive tubes for the headphone amps. If the latter then just get the cheapest unless you are going to use the headphone amp.
 
Jack is correct. I ordered the NOS 12sn7 thinking it would affect the preamp section, I later found out they only benefit the headphone section. Oh well.
 
I uesed to own a VTSP-3A r3. It was a very quiet clear and detailed, yet musical, preamp, w/ incredible built quality. Neutral! It also had ergonomics and features that one only realized owning it. For instance,, among other things, the phase button on the remote, as well as power polarity switch on the back. It had some sort of a built in protection circuit on the power side and the rectification design is very good w/ low noise.
Keith is a straight shooter, very knowledgeable, interesting to listen to when called and very fair with his offerings and updates... He is constantly trying new parts within curent designs and offering updates...
this new 360 pre was evidently a new design discovery for him, after taking the “3” as far as he could, then enter the new 360.
I no longer own the pre but if a different course of system evolution I would not hesitate to try the 360...
Call Keith. He will most likely give you a trial, direct (and pricing).
 
I received my new Herron 360 over the holidays, replacing my VTSP-3A. Keith took it in trade along with my very old VTSP-1A which was sitting in my storage room. It functionally works identically to the VTSP-3A. I think you need to try it if you are comparing with other preamps. I think it is great. I have had Herron preamps for more than 25 years, beginning with his first VTSP-1. Besides having wonderful sound, Keith's preamps are extremely sturdy and reliable, with tubes that last just about forever - even though I keep my preamp on 24x7. The remote is extreme compact and very functional. The only thing it will not do is the balance control. I especially like being able to change absolute phase from my listening seat. I can detect correct phase pretty easily with my system so having that feature is very useful.

Keith is not trying to become a rich man, he is happy selling at a reasonable price and is more concerned about the quality of his products than manufacturing in the cheapest locations in the world. He doesn't change models very often and my previous two preamps (the 1 and 3 were both upgraded at the factory (near St. Louis) to the 1A and 3A status) for a very reasonable price.

If you can get one on loan from your dealer, that would be the best way to compare. Keith might be willing to loan you one. I think he is either back ordered or makes them to order. I had to wait for 2 or 3 weeks for mine. I have another preamp, the CJ MET-1 which I use for multichannel playing. If Keith made a multichannel preamp, I would replace the CJ in a heartbeat.

I also got Keith's phono pre, the VTPH-2A which can take both MM and MC inputs, which works well with my system, where my stereo cartridge is high output and my mono cartridge is low output. He took my old VTPH-1MC for a generous trade.

All of Keith's electronics are unbalanced and the phono pre is RIAA only.

Larry
 
I recently picked up a Herron VTSP-1A/166 just out of curiosity. I am blown away! It's unbelievable how articulate and extended this linestage truly is.

In conversations with Keith I've learned that the newer models of his linestage do allow options for lower gain. The latest VTSP-360 allows throttling output gain of either 14db or 4db. My existing VTSP-1A is 14db and I believe due to the design of where the volume control is inserted in circuit, I get some "gain floor rush/noise" from my 94db efficient speakers when the unit is idle and/or volume is low. I've tested several Kevin-picked quads of tubes that are ultra quiet in other gear and the gain noise floor stil exists. Once I get the listening level into the 70-75dbdb range, I don't hear it but I do a lot of listening at low level so its a concern for me.

I read everywhere about how "quiet" the Herron preamps are so it has me puzzled if the VTSP-1A I'm using is normal or might need repair or if my definition of "quiet" is just different than everyone else?

Larry, can you describe your use of the VTSP-1A and any noise floor you experienced while using it?

Thanks!
 
Mike, I don't remember a noise issue with my old 1aA, but it has been many years since it was in my system (maybe 10 years). Since the 1A I had the 3, upgraded to a 3A and now the 360. I have had my Avantgarde Duos for more than 15 years, and they are 103db sensitive, so I think I would have been bothered with preamp noise. I definitely would talk to Keith again and ship it to him to take a look at it. He can be backed up, but you can find out the turnaround time. I never had the 1A/166, going from the 1 to upgraded to a 1A and then skipping to a 3.

Larry

MikeCh said:
I recently picked up a Herron VTSP-1A/166 just out of curiosity. I am blown away! It's unbelievable how articulate and extended this linestage truly is.

In conversations with Keith I've learned that the newer models of his linestage do allow options for lower gain. The latest VTSP-360 allows throttling output gain of either 14db or 4db. My existing VTSP-1A is 14db and I believe due to the design of where the volume control is inserted in circuit, I get some "gain floor rush/noise" from my 94db efficient speakers when the unit is idle and/or volume is low. I've tested several Kevin-picked quads of tubes that are ultra quiet in other gear and the gain noise floor stil exists. Once I get the listening level into the 70-75dbdb range, I don't hear it but I do a lot of listening at low level so its a concern for me.

I read everywhere about how "quiet" the Herron preamps are so it has me puzzled if the VTSP-1A I'm using is normal or might need repair or if my definition of "quiet" is just different than everyone else?

Larry, can you describe your use of the VTSP-1A and any noise floor you experienced while using it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the additional info Larry.

I'll call Keith again to discuss things.


astrotoy said:
Mike, I don't remember a noise issue with my old 1aA, but it has been many years since it was in my system (maybe 10 years). Since the 1A I had the 3, upgraded to a 3A and now the 360. I have had my Avantgarde Duos for more than 15 years, and they are 103db sensitive, so I think I would have been bothered with preamp noise. I definitely would talk to Keith again and ship it to him to take a look at it. He can be backed up, but you can find out the turnaround time. I never had the 1A/166, going from the 1 to upgraded to a 1A and then skipping to a 3.

Larry
Click to expand...
 
Update: Keith shared that there's no existing mod to attenuate the gain on the VTSP-1a/166. He shared that a gain reduction option was included starting with later models including his newest VTSP360 that has options for 14db or reduction to 4db output gain. With the VTSP-1 I've found that tube positions V1 and V3 are just extra sensitive to tube noise. I've gone thru six different sets of 6922/7DJ8/E88CC tubes I've got and found several tube set combinations that lower the noise/gain/rush floor level to completely acceptable levels. With each "culled" set, I now have not only options for different tube flavors but also a nice quiet noise floor at my listening position. There's still a tiny bit of hiss coming from the tweeters with my ear 12" or so from the driver but I can't hear it at my listening position.

So far, I've found the following tube types that sound great with this Herron preamp:

1. two sets of ARC branded W. German made E88CC's (fantastic drive and finesse, an all around superstar)
2. two sets of Electro-Harmonix 6922's (surprised me, but these are THE quietest so far and are what Keith uses now I believe...and sound close to the ARC's above)
3. Tungsram 6922 (a little more shimmer on top than the others with a beautiful midrange and solid bottom end)
4. Matsushita / National PCC88 (I wish these were more quiet in general as they are similar to the Tungsram, just a tiny bit warmer and rounder on top. Bottom end is solid, controlled and presents a nice foundation to the music. These are my favorites so far for overall synergies with my setup)

Sorry if my comments above are interpreted as changing the conversation about Herron models. Since the VTSP-360 is a substantial chunk of change for me, I'm glad it's possible to get a taste from this older model for now. Would love to one day own Keith's new design.
 
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