Phono Stage Upgrade


I have been reading through most of the threads and discussions related to phono stages and was struck by a comment on how one’s phono stage investment should be approximately equal to the spend on one’s turntable. 
 

I currently have the Sutherland Little Loco, which has been not given me any issues at all. However, with my current setup of a Palmer 2.5i and the Audio Orgami arm plus a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum cartridge, I am wondering if I am missing out on the potential of this combination?

 I am definitely intrigued by the ARC 3SE and PH9, but am unsure of the interplay between these phono stages and my current cartridge and tonearn. I am not interested in having to recable anything and also read something about a quirky approach to power mains with ARC. I am running all of my gear using LFD mains and am quite happy with them. 
 

Finally, it is not entirely obvious where to actually purchase this gear as there is no one local to me and my two usual dealers (Gene Rubin and Fidelis) don’t carry ARC. I would love a recommendation as to a dealer I might contact. I will also keep my eyes open for a reputable used option. 
 

Thanks in advance for your help. 
 

 

128x128thr1961

I have been a long time user of ARC phono-stages for well over twenty years. Starting with the PH2, with many upgrades… each time researching alternatives and each time buying a newer ARC. I unhesitatingly recommend them. I now have a REF3. The most recent you can afford.

 

I am running a Koetsu Rosewood Signature on a contemporary Linn LP12. Although I am sure virtually any cartridge will sound its best through the REF3. It has individual settings for Standard RIAA and specific labels. 

Of course the danger with the question I posed is that it opens the door to all sorts of adjacent topics and education!  I suppose that is why some of us are continuously reading, discussing and adjusting.  I will note that I definitely took the time to listen to some more of the Bill Evans collection that arrived on Saturday as well as playing my original Blues and the Abstract Truth" for the who knows how many times...
 

So after looking at some of the posts it seems like there is a decision point related to the "type" of phono stage I should explore. The tube option noted multiple times (ARC) and then there seems to be a solid state option as well. My current Little Loco appears to be of the plug it in and it works and clearly there are others (Van der Hul) with the same philosophy. 

 

I am using a solid state integrated amp right now and am completely happy with it and have no plans to change (the LFD, Harbeth, and Palmer combo just works). So I should do some research on the approaches to phono stages and also the compatability with my Koetsu cartridge. 

 

If any of this helps clarify my goals, I am still interested in the respected opinions and suggestions of this community. Many thanks. 

I have a ref one arc phono stage sold the krell kpa after I got the arc. I also have the phono stage in the Ayre k1xe pre amp. The arc is a big step up fro. The k1xe  phono section which I like better than the krell kpa. The old krell dealer told me the way to have the krell kpa sound wonderful  was to have two of them and run them true dual mono. One channel  into each phono stage.  You have the cartridge  that I lose sleep over. That is a wonderful  one. I have  ever heard a stone body  but they are to heavy  for my setup. I have a linn lp 12. I retubed  the arc with reflecktor tubes there 6922 equivalents.  Very nice in my system.  Sorry I cannot be more help. 

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Reference 3SE does fantastic with your RSP (I have both of these in my collection), so no issues there. It does great with the built-in JFET MC stage (High Gain), and also does great in Low Gain mode coupled with your SUT of choice (~20x being optimal for your RSP). 

It uses a PC with a 20A connector on the amp side, so that can be annoying in that you can't transfer over an aftermarket cord from your old phono stage. But the stock cord is good quality and fine.