I currently have a ARC ph-5 phono stage

I was checking a year ago or so the PH5 and I liked a lot his sound, transparent, fast, dynamic, sweet and airy but I found a bass problem imho his bass articulation and extension was a bit raquitic in comparation with similar price phono preamps.

You need a deep bass cartridge like Benz Micros, Koetsus, etc... .

The PH5 is one of the best phono preamps I ever heard. Enjoy it and if you want to produce a change you should try another brand.

Why not just take your PH5 to the dealer who claims the PH6 is "smoother" and hear the two for yourself?

Anyone compare the PH-7 to the PH-6 or PH-8?

Yes the PH-6 is a nice improvement from the PH-5. I own the PH-6 and a friend owns the PH-5. We have compared them side-by-side.

The PH-6 provides a much smoother, more refined sound versus the PH-5 with a deeper and better articulated soundstage. Lower noise floor, blacker background.

The PH-5 is a great phono stage. ARC has raised the bar considerably with the PH-6.

Review of PH6 from The Audio Beat: http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/audio_research_ph6.htm

Link to a review of PH6 from Hifi World here: http://www.audioaficionado.org/audio-research/9484-review-arcs-ph6-phono-pre-hifi-world.html

Sorry...in case the link above does not work, here it is again: http://www.tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_037.pdf

There is a review in Issue 37 of Tone Audio on page 152. Here is a link to the issue: {url]http://www.tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_037.pdf[/url]

When you hit the link above, it takes a little bit to upload the PDF file. Hope this helps.