Are You Happy With Your Phono Preamp?

I was thrilled when I upgraded to a VAC Renaissance SE phono stage ~ 4 years ago. It made vinyl a more more engaging, beautiful experience. My prior phono was a Rogue Ares Magnum - good for the money, but the rest of my system (especially table & cartridge) had well outpaced it, and I felt the 4x more expensive VAC actually gave a good return-on-investment. As good as a $3K phono stage can be, you’re definitely leaving musical enjoyment "on the table" versus higher tier stages IMO. I even tried the Herron VTPH-2A to see if I could "downgrade" from the VAC - no dice. It handily beat the Ares, though! 

Not out of dissatisfaction with the VAC, just curious to try something new, a few months ago I picked up a factory-refurbished ARC Phono 3SE. It’s phenomenal. I also have a Ref 6 preamp, and that pairing is immaculate. Highly recommended! I still really like (and am keeping) the VAC, and it performs particularly well in a full VAC pre/power stack (with stock tubes - too much rolling can mess with the synergy, as I’ve had to learn a few times), but the Ref 3SE has become my primary go-to phono.

Ask an ARC dealer about the CPO (certified pre-owned) and FRU (factory refurbished) units, and whether they have a Ref 3 or 3 SE available. They come with warranty. I am not a dealer and receive no incentive for this :)

Your table/cart is excellent, and I think like I was you're well positioned to reap the benefits of an amazing phono stage. 

Yes, I think your system would benefit from a better phono stage. I have experience with Soundsmith cartridges and I think the ARC 3SE is the best match of the ones you mentioned but the Boulder is also a great unit.

@chilli42 No question I had the PS audio and it is just ok and agree that you are missing some of the dynamics and air. I now have the Modwright PH9.0x with some Siemens E188CC/7308 and it is my end game. You have some great choices out there but consider the Modwright. Happy Listening 

Yes, I have a Audio Reserch Ref 3. I could not be happier. It really mates well with my ARC REF 6SE. I have had ARC phonostages since the ARC PH 2 was new.

My last generation system had a Pass 350x amp and a Sim Moon DAC. The positive changes in my system were so fundamentally profound when I swapped the amp for the ARC REF 160m and again to the ARC REF CD9 DAC. The whole system took on a natural musicality and overall sonic character that is absolutely magical. The amazing bonus has been my analog and digital end sound the same (you have to have the right cartridge of course). So, I no longer need to keep thinking… wish I was listening to analog when listening to streaming. I can’t tell the difference. They both sound fantastic.

I can’t understate the synergy of all ARC together. It really brings home these guys know what they are doing in crafting the sound at all levels and nuance to capure the musical essence… and in each component… like the Phonostage and DAC having the same character and resolution.

+1, @ghdprentice

On synergy between ARC 3 and Ref 6, it’s like two peas in a pod. I used to own all ARC system (Pre, DAC and AMP) there is this unmistakable synergy in a all ARC system, they should come with a warning: no outsiders allowed 🤣