Phono Pre Upgrade from Parasound JC-3?

Herron VTPH2A. Punches way above its price. Way above. Like, hard to beat, regardless. Put the savings into a Synergistic Level 3 Euphoria interconnect, amazing combination. Selling what you have now you could probably get both and come in well under $6k. Maybe even enough for a baby Koetsu. Be in heaven then, you will.

I've heard that's a real good one.  Unfortunately it doesn't have balanced outputs.  I should have mentioned this in my original post.  The JC-3 has balanced outputs and when I switched to balanced cables after using standard RCA I was blown away by the improvements.  

I'm looking at the BAT VK-P6SE as it checks off the boxes and has great reviews.  Also consider a Manley Steelhead.  

Manley Steelhead= RCA only!  I highly recommend if your amp has RCA inputs you should give this unit a try. It will deliver what your looking for balanced or not. 

You will have to spend a lot more than 6K to get something noticeably better than the JC-3. Until you can spend 14K be happy where you are.
The John Curl designed Constellation Orion is $80K.  

Regarding the BAT VK-P6SE, I’d be concerned about the gain settings it provides. The "low" setting of 50 db seems likely to be too high for many high output cartridges, and the "high" setting of 55 or 56 db (depending on what document is looked at) seems likely to be too low for many low output cartridges.

Also, FWIW, like Millercarbon I am a happy owner of a Herron phono stage (the VTPH-2 in my case), which I use with a 0.5 mv AT-ART9 cartridge.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Modwright PH9.0 I lied it better the JC3jr and Rogue 

Look into NVO

I got a BAT VK-P6SE I'm going to try.  If I don't like it I can return it so there's no risk.  Always wanted to audition one.  

snackyp, I own a Manley Steelhead and like it very much, but it is not balanced.  You say you were blown away when you bought balanced ICs.  Where did you install them?  From cartridge to phono inputs?  From phono out to linestage?  (Or from the JC3 to the amplifiers, assuming the JC3 is a full function preamplifier?)  The JC3 is truly balanced, I think. But its balanced circuitry does you only so much good if the downstream component is not also balanced.  That said, maybe you were pleased with the balanced cables simply because they are better cables, per se.  On the other hand, I am one who believes that balanced equipment should be used in balanced mode for best results.

I tend to agree with @mijostyn that you will have a hard time improving on the JC-3 at this price level, especially if balanced operation is required.

The Boulder 1008 would be a major step up, which I've compared head-to-head with the JC-3. Retail it's outside of your budget, but you might try and find one on the used market for around 6k. 

You can also consider Boulder's new 508, which apparently comes pretty close to the 1008 and retails for around 6k. However, it doesn't offer any flexibility with a fixed output at 66dB and a fixed 100 ohm load impedance. While these settings work well for most low out, low impedance MC cartridges, it may not suit your requirements.

@lewm I use the balanced cables between the JC3+ and a Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 amp, which is also balanced.   

If you are MC, Rega Aura. I’ve had it for 2 days and it blows my mind and can’t wait to get it broken in. $6k.  Has RCA and balanced.  Mute button, mono switch,  and gain of 63.5 db and 69.5 db.  You can switch capacitance and loading on the fly, just mute it first. 

Dear @snackeyp  : """  as I like the warmer sound of tubes... """

so then that's what you like not MUSIC because MUSIC is all you want it but warm.

Good luck with your warm BAT. Btw, the worst place to have tubes is at the phono audio system link.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Pass Labs XP-17 or if you can the Pass XP-27

Update:  I hooked up the BAT VK-P6SE yesterday and listened to three record sides before unplugging it and packing it up to be returned.  
I'm thoroughly convinced that it's not a good match for my system.  The JC3+ blows it away.  I have to believe this is more to do with the robust loading and gain adjust-ability of the JC3, and the lack thereof in the BAT, but beyond that, I just know it's not right for me.  

I think the Luxman EQ-500 is near your budget. Also, if you don’t need much adjustability, the Boulder 508 is astonishingly transparent. I have one and couldn’t be happier. Find your warmth in the amp or line stage not the phono pre. 

After 3 sides? 

This will be a fun thread.