Vinyl sounds a bit thin and slightly strident.

Dgarretson, I like what I'm hearing... My PH-2 has Infinicaps in it now, not sure the model. My LS-7 has Rel-Caps so I suspect they could be upgraded. I spent some time yesterday and rechecked overhang using the VPI supplied protractor and made some adjustments there and subsequently to the VTF and VTA. I had noticed before the changes that the VTF was too low and I don't know how that could be unless either the retaining screw came loose on the counterweight and it moved or my digital scale wasn't calibrated or working properly when I set the arm up. That was a large source of the stridency I was hearing due to mistracking. However, after changing those settings the characteristic that still is lacking is more body/fullness in the midbass. It's not severe but this tends to detract from the emotional richness during playback for me. Do you still think that is a capacitor issue? I haven't experimented with doing any changes to capacitors before although I'm open to suggestions. Can changing the loading affect the midbass? I thought that loading would only change the high frequency rolloff. The cart is loaded at 2.5K Ohm and the capacitance of the Cardas Neutral Reference Phono.

It sounds like the phono stage had a makeover. Over the next week I'll try comparing the PH-2 to a couple of tube phono stages around here. You may just be hearing the leaner tonality of SS. Though not specifically targetting bass response, to generally improve phono you might try something like my spring/sandbox platform, which has been implemented by user Islandman on a Scout. He also likes Mapleshade Nanomounts on VPI JMW arm. An oil coupling cap such Mundorf Silver would also tend to flesh out bass and midrange. I'm sure the PH-2 could be improved significantly with a few hundred dollars of Texas Components TX2575 resistors for loading & in signal path in circuit. This is not too hard to do or to have done by a tech, as ARC freely distributes schematics.

Awesome! Thanks. Any thoughts on the component parts and tubes for the LS-7? Jafox(listed above) had stated this:

One thing to do right away is get rid of those ARC supplied EH tubes. These are almost as horrible as the Sovtek. You will not believe how significant Telefunken, Mullard, Amperex, etc., 6922/6DJ8 tubes would make on the LS7. The midrange textures, decays and smoothness in the mids will be quite a surprise.

I agree because I feel the Sovteks were better than the EH tubes if memory serves me correctly. My question is which one to choose?

Any component upgrades would be easy for me to perform. I don't really want to have to change out gear if I don't have to. I feel I could improve on what I already have.
Where do you trust getting the component parts you mentioned?

Parts Connexion/Canada discounts Mundorf caps. Silver/Gold/Oil is Mundorf's new top model. I've been using Silver/Gold (non-oil)version-- it's a great cap but may not have the midrange and LF bloom that you're seeking. You will find these quality as well in the Mundorf Silver Oil cap. I can't recall the values used in the PH-2, but they may be fairly high-- which can get pricey.

Texas Components TX2575 resistors are available directly from TC on a quotation basis @$9-$11. You might want to first try replacing loading & several resistors at input and after listening, work further into the circuit. These .5W metal film resistors have the rare combination of high resolution, sweetness, & warmth. Too expensive for most hi-end manufacturers! Once you try some, you may just forget all about tube rolling and IC upgrades...

I have owned Benz cartridges and ARC phono stages, I agree with most of the comments so far.
First, Benz cartridges excel in the midrange. Do not expect great bass punch from a Benz cartridge. Treble can become desimbodied from the midrange if the VTA or VTF are not spot on. Benz VTA is tricky, as is VTF, due to the narrow stylus profile.
Second, Sony players in general have outstanding bass quality, it will be tough to find a phono combo that will beat your Sony in bass slam...more natural / organic bass is possible, punchier bass is difficcult.

A few suggestions regarding brightness and lean sound:

-Valhalla wire, the transparency-champ! It sounds very detailed and lean. It may be a great choice in the right system or may ruin the tonal balance, specially because it is the first cable in your system.

-EH tubes - I agree with the previous posts, they sound harsh and forward as compared to good NOS tubes.

-Cardas Hexlink is not as full-bodied as Cardas GR or NR.

Lastly, leave the phono preamp on 24/7, it will sound much smoother after a couple of days of warm up.
Good luck