Line preamp advice for Herron VTPH-2A

[ctor]

I put my system back together after years of not being able to use my mancave. My old preamp failed, and my old amp failed, so I picked up a PS Audio S300 amp and got a great deal on a demo Emotiva XSP-1 gen 2 as a stopgap.

A few months ago, I bought the Herron, which made a significant improvement over the stock phono stage in the XSP-1. Now I'm ready to start shopping for a preamp that will do it justice.

Which is why I found my way here. I have a budget of around $3k. I could possibly go higher, but would need to save up a bit more. I have no real preference between tube and SS, and would buy new, demo, or a recent model used.

So, if anyone has experience with the Herron phono preamp, and can make a suggestion of what would work well with it, or even a suggestion for a neutral preamp, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

me

 

[gryphongryph]

If you want something really special and good sounding, take a look at Supratek pre’s they start at $2000 I just got a Cabernet and it sound spectacular.
One needs to be patient and they are hand built in Australia, but these are amps you keep for life.
Happy hunting.

 

[dan31]

Consider the Benchmark LA4 preamp. You can include a headphone preamp as the HA-4. Good company.

 

[Phantom-Audio]

MP-3 would be a suggestion, They can also come with built in Phono Stages.

 

[Phantom-Audio]

Atma-Sphere MP-3 would be a very good choice. Excellent Warranty and support too.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I would go for the benchmark amplifiers.