better phono stage

Thank you all for your wonderfull support you have certaintly open my eyes for the better many good suggestions. Will keep you posted when I buy another phono stage. Keep listening.

My current system has Final 1000i electrostatic speakers, Nordost Frey speaker wire, and solid silver interconnects and power cables. I also have a ref 3 preamp and old nakamichi pa7 nelson pass amplifier with a nova phenomena phono preamp. Entertaining thoughts of a better Phono stage; any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My source is a VPI classic with shelter 7000 cartridge.

Happy with the ref 3 not happy with the nova phono preamp.

My budget is $3000.

Docdan are you using stock tubes. Heard the fosgate and liked it very much. Perhaps some tube rolling can further the improvement.

Czbbcl what is the price range for the Herron is it tubes or solid state. Thanks for your reply.

Yes I do have the ARC Ref 3 and the PH 6 could be a good fit. Thanks for the response I wasnt even aware of a PH 6.
the audiogon is just a wealth of information. Thanks to all of you who participated in this thread.