Pre-Preamp?

Keep that SP11! Don't replace it with a Ch*nese - made preamp! Have a competent tech replace some power supply caps, if need be! It already has an excellent phono stage!

And if you need more gain for your mc cartridge, then get a good mc step up transformer - which I do and recommend!

The best mc SUT I have (of the five) is probably the Quicksilver (Mike Sanders).

daveaj255

Get the superb 60db high gain Herron VTPH-2A and get a preamp like this with little or no gain.
Such as the Schiit Freya, it has the best mechanical volume control made remote, xlr or se inputs and outputs, and you can choose between active solid state, active tube or passive operation, whatever you think sounds best in your system.
If you don’t like it after 15 days you can send it back.
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya

Cheers George

Keep the ARC unit! You will be decidedly unhappy with most other units unless you spend serious money. People have to resist the impetus to change. You wind up wasting a lot of money for minor improvements if even that. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket look at the weakest link in the chain which is usually the cartridge/tonearm or the speakers. Adding subs correctly will make a huge difference as will up grading your speakers. In terms of electronics amplifiers make the biggest difference because they have to interact with the speakers which may or may not be easy depending on the speakers you have. If you can afford room control go for it. That will improve your imaging significantly.