The PH5 is not only a significant step up over the PH3SE, but costs less when new. It is much closer to the Ref phono, as Agaffer reports. I have it because it is an excellent sounding piece for the $. ARC had a goal of improved performance under $2K and they achieved it IMO.
A sizable piece of the cost savings was in the design and manufacturing of the metal case, according to ARC. It is a clamshell design, as opposed to the traditional ARC case with lid design.
A sizable piece of the cost savings was in the design and manufacturing of the metal case, according to ARC. It is a clamshell design, as opposed to the traditional ARC case with lid design.