Is it best to stay in the same family????

In this case I would say;leave the family.---It's the only family you can leave. Then save up and get their pre.---Ok.you won't get as many goodies on your b'-day. The price one must pay!!

The Rhea is an awesome phono preamp, it is worth an audition. Sometimes there is some family synergy, but sometimes the upgrade outways the family synergy. Is there a way you can try the Rhea in your system? If it sounds better, to you, than the PH3se, buy it. Be happy and enjoy the music it makes. If (yeah, right) the upgrade bug bites again, then look into the Calypso. I wouldn't say that if you buy the Rhea that you have to buy the Calypso.

That being said, I did wind up buying a BAT preamp about 9 months after buying a BAT phono preamp. But take your time, take one step at a time, and don't feel 'pushed' into taking the next step. If you like the new sonic direction, you may feel compelled to go further in that direction. That's all.