Heads Up: ARC is introducing the new SP-20 in Fall

My ARC Ref Phono 2SE is super quiet, even for low output carts. Its as quiet as my solid state Rowland Cadence. Not sure about ARC's other phono stages, but the Ref's are fantastic!

Just for clarification, ARC is an American company in Minnesota, factory and all gear are made in Minnesota too. ARC is owned by a parent company called Fine Sounds which also owns Wadia, Sonus Faber and McIntosh. Both McIntosh and ARC have kept all operational systems the same. Wadia on the other hand, has downsized a bit and are sharing some quarters with ARC.

For what Syntax feels are state of the art gear, just look at his system page. I think he is a Lamm man and loves what Lamm does. I can understand this - Lamm products produce some of the best midrange sounds in the industry. That being said, I love my ARC stuff! And I definitely agree with all posters - prices continue to become more insane each year.