I brought home a ph-5 and it was very nice so I ended up buying a ph-7 to get the full impact of the new gain stage from the re-3.
I just picked up a ref-3 and together I have a system I never though I could own. I would call it sonic fireworks in that every thing is distinct and I can look all around the soundstage and listen to each instrument in its own space as well as just listen to the performance.
I have never had the felling of depth and space as I do now. The ref-3 replaced a classe cp-60 and the ph-7 replaced a Melos tube phono stage. The new ARC stuff should be heard, it is outstanding....Steve