A PH2 and a EAR 834P would worthy considerations. If your budget permits, listen to the PH5 it is a big improvement over the PH3SE. The PH5 is very defined and musical and never fatiguing. Plus it has a very handy remote controllable method of switching cartridge impedances.
ARC ph1 compared to ph3
I have a Audio Research PH1 would like to know how the PH3 sounds in comparsion. Ph1 is an solid state unit, Ph3 is a tube unit which would suggest not as bright sounding, warmer,ect. How about detail, soundstage ect. My analog gear needs some updating. This is just somewhat of a MAY redo process, as I do not have alot of Analog {150-200 albums} and very few places besides mail order to buy them. My TT is a music hall mm5. I listen to rebook cd and sacd mostly because I have never been able to obtain the sound on my TT without spending big bucks. Just a modest upgrade.