I had an Xono as my phono feeding an ARC Ref 3 pre. When the time came to upgrade, I evaluated the Ref 2 phono. And yes it is superior to the Xono in every area except for the gain. The Ref 2 could not support very low output carts.
Subsequently, I went to an ASR Basis Exclusive, and it too beat the Xono in every department and was dead quiet with a refined sound and healthy gain.
After the ASR, I am now on a Whest Ref MC V. Listen to the Whest range. Especially MC V and RDT SE. Way better than ASR, with superior resolution, dynamics and speed.
If your heart is set on ARC, go for it! You wont go wrong. But look at ASR and Whest too as worthy contenders too.
Subsequently, I went to an ASR Basis Exclusive, and it too beat the Xono in every department and was dead quiet with a refined sound and healthy gain.
After the ASR, I am now on a Whest Ref MC V. Listen to the Whest range. Especially MC V and RDT SE. Way better than ASR, with superior resolution, dynamics and speed.
If your heart is set on ARC, go for it! You wont go wrong. But look at ASR and Whest too as worthy contenders too.