Hi Handyman,
Just a thought. I used to have a ARC PH3-SE for many years. I had it modified by the Great Northern Sound Company and rolled NOS tubes in it. Though improved from stock it always seemed to have a certain "edge" or detail to it as you describe. I believe that the contibutor to that sound was that I left the unit at its stock 47K loading all the time I owned it. I was never proficient enough to solder the supplied resistors in place to change the loading nor did I seek someone out who could. The ARC PH7 has the ability to change the loading to preselected loads from either the remote control or the faceplate.
Only since owning my Nagra phonostage which has the option to change the loading did I hear the difference this can make to the overall musical presentation.
My only regret is that I did not pursue this when I owned the PH3. I believe now this was the source of discontent I heard with this phonostage.
BTW when I auditioned the PH7 against my GNSC Reference modified PH3 with NOS tubes. I consistently preferred the PH7. Tried this two times and reached the same conclusion.
Just a thought. I used to have a ARC PH3-SE for many years. I had it modified by the Great Northern Sound Company and rolled NOS tubes in it. Though improved from stock it always seemed to have a certain "edge" or detail to it as you describe. I believe that the contibutor to that sound was that I left the unit at its stock 47K loading all the time I owned it. I was never proficient enough to solder the supplied resistors in place to change the loading nor did I seek someone out who could. The ARC PH7 has the ability to change the loading to preselected loads from either the remote control or the faceplate.
Only since owning my Nagra phonostage which has the option to change the loading did I hear the difference this can make to the overall musical presentation.
My only regret is that I did not pursue this when I owned the PH3. I believe now this was the source of discontent I heard with this phonostage.
BTW when I auditioned the PH7 against my GNSC Reference modified PH3 with NOS tubes. I consistently preferred the PH7. Tried this two times and reached the same conclusion.