Are You Happy With Your Phono Preamp?

My experience with the PS Audio Stellar phono stage was not good.

See if you can audition a Zesto Audio Andrés Deluxe II phono stage, what I ended up with in my main stereo. Another fully balanced design.

With that said, I agree with several others that the best chance of success is to stay within the same brand. So an ARC model would be the first thing I would want to audition in your system. I use the Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II line stage with my Zesto phono stage for that same reason. Both are great separately but together, IMHO, they are unbeatable at that price point.

Best of luck.

You have to take a big jump up to top the PS Audio Stellar.....I got rid of a Parasound JC 3+....for the lesser priced Stellar .....a much more dynamic and musical  sounding unit.

I have the McIntosh MP1100 and love it. Acquired it about a year ago. I have the VPI HW-40 and Ortofon Cadenza Black.

I upgraded a couple of years ago.  I trialled in my system with small Boulder and van den Hul The Grail SB.  I have had ARC phono amps before but I didn't look at the Ref3 because it can't be run fully balanced.  Why not?  Earlier ARCs had fully balanced options like the PH2 that I had for many years.

The Boulder sounded grainy, HF heavy and digital to me and tiring to listen to.  Very disappointing after the widespread review praise.  This wasn't a very long term trial.

The vdH was very natural and detailed with a good soundstage.  In my view value beyond its price.  I am very happy with it.  This is a sleeper.  Get a listen.  I have no connection with vdH other than as a happy customer.

The Soundsmith Hyperion appears to be a $8K cartridge. The $2500 PS Audio Stellar Phono may simply be outclassed at that pice gap. Maybe. Soundsmith has a MC phono stage. Perhaps it would mate well with the Hyperion?

Very happy with mine.

Hagerman Trumpet MC with an Sbooster BOTW P&P ECO MKII 15-16V separate power supply. Trumpet running with 4 Dynaco/Telefunken smooth plate 12ax7’s and 2 CBS Hytron 5814A black plates (12au7’s). Current main cart is a lo output Soundsmith MIMC Star. Not a bad setup for under 2K total (not including the cart).

Sounds very nice indeed. Very pleased.

Itching to try out a Benz MC for a change of pace.

Definitely - the ARC Ref 3 phono & 6 pre are a natural, beautiful match. Though I don't have an ARC amp, the ARC pre+phono pairing still shines here. 

Of the 3 non-ARC amps I have, the 2 more clean / neutral / fast / dynamic sounding amps (Phison A2.120 SE and Rogue Apollo Dark) are turning out to be the better complement with Ref 3SE & 6. The VAC 200iQ's have a more lush / romantic / rounded sonic spin, and it does some things incredibly well with the ARC stack, but the other amps feel like more natural partners here. 

+1, @ghdprentice

On synergy between ARC 3 and Ref 6, it’s like two peas in a pod. I used to own all ARC system (Pre, DAC and AMP) there is this unmistakable synergy in a all ARC system, they should come with a warning: no outsiders allowed 🤣

Yes, I have a Audio Reserch Ref 3. I could not be happier. It really mates well with my ARC REF 6SE. I have had ARC phonostages since the ARC PH 2 was new.

My last generation system had a Pass 350x amp and a Sim Moon DAC. The positive changes in my system were so fundamentally profound when I swapped the amp for the ARC REF 160m and again to the ARC REF CD9 DAC. The whole system took on a natural musicality and overall sonic character that is absolutely magical. The amazing bonus has been my analog and digital end sound the same (you have to have the right cartridge of course). So, I no longer need to keep thinking… wish I was listening to analog when listening to streaming. I can’t tell the difference. They both sound fantastic.

I can’t understate the synergy of all ARC together. It really brings home these guys know what they are doing in crafting the sound at all levels and nuance to capure the musical essence… and in each component… like the Phonostage and DAC having the same character and resolution.

@chilli42 No question I had the PS audio and it is just ok and agree that you are missing some of the dynamics and air. I now have the Modwright PH9.0x with some Siemens E188CC/7308 and it is my end game. You have some great choices out there but consider the Modwright. Happy Listening 

Yes, I think your system would benefit from a better phono stage. I have experience with Soundsmith cartridges and I think the ARC 3SE is the best match of the ones you mentioned but the Boulder is also a great unit.

I was thrilled when I upgraded to a VAC Renaissance SE phono stage ~ 4 years ago. It made vinyl a more more engaging, beautiful experience. My prior phono was a Rogue Ares Magnum - good for the money, but the rest of my system (especially table & cartridge) had well outpaced it, and I felt the 4x more expensive VAC actually gave a good return-on-investment. As good as a $3K phono stage can be, you’re definitely leaving musical enjoyment "on the table" versus higher tier stages IMO. I even tried the Herron VTPH-2A to see if I could "downgrade" from the VAC - no dice. It handily beat the Ares, though! 

Not out of dissatisfaction with the VAC, just curious to try something new, a few months ago I picked up a factory-refurbished ARC Phono 3SE. It’s phenomenal. I also have a Ref 6 preamp, and that pairing is immaculate. Highly recommended! I still really like (and am keeping) the VAC, and it performs particularly well in a full VAC pre/power stack (with stock tubes - too much rolling can mess with the synergy, as I’ve had to learn a few times), but the Ref 3SE has become my primary go-to phono.

Ask an ARC dealer about the CPO (certified pre-owned) and FRU (factory refurbished) units, and whether they have a Ref 3 or 3 SE available. They come with warranty. I am not a dealer and receive no incentive for this :)

Your table/cart is excellent, and I think like I was you're well positioned to reap the benefits of an amazing phono stage. 

RADA Precious phono is a contender too. Discussed on a forum, HERE , copper version is in the price range...NVO Spa is mentioned in the thread. just an fyi

Disclosure: I represent RADA

Several years back the handmade NVO all tubed unit was all the rage yes I bought one and love it. They just released an updated version

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2022/06/new-nvo-spa-one-se-phono-preamplifier.html

Might be worth looking into. I use it with my SM Surrusso cartridge loaded at 500 ohms