Without knowing the rest of your system, my answer to your question, there is no comparison between the ARC PH-3se and the PH-7. The PH-7 is in another league.
The price of the PH-3se $2500 the price of the PH-7 $6000 that alone should tell you something!
I too have had the PH-3se. It is a good phono preamp, I replaced mine with the PH-5 which is better but not by a whole lot. The one thing that makes it better is that you can change cartridge load settings with the push of a button whereas with the PH-3se you have to go inside an change the resistors to switch load settings which can be a hassle particularly if you are not good with a sodering gun.
I would have the PH-7 right now if I had the bucks (and will at some point) it is considerbly better than the PH-5.
If you can afford the PH-7 it is a no brainer if not I would go with the PH-5 but as has already been mentioned, listening for yourself is always the best policy.
The price of the PH-3se $2500 the price of the PH-7 $6000 that alone should tell you something!
I too have had the PH-3se. It is a good phono preamp, I replaced mine with the PH-5 which is better but not by a whole lot. The one thing that makes it better is that you can change cartridge load settings with the push of a button whereas with the PH-3se you have to go inside an change the resistors to switch load settings which can be a hassle particularly if you are not good with a sodering gun.
I would have the PH-7 right now if I had the bucks (and will at some point) it is considerbly better than the PH-5.
If you can afford the PH-7 it is a no brainer if not I would go with the PH-5 but as has already been mentioned, listening for yourself is always the best policy.