Can anyone help me on Audio Research PH 3SE?

I may be incorrect,but the phono cartridge you are using has an output of about .220 microvolts.(I may be wrong on that figure) The PH3&SE are made for medium to high output moving coil cartridges or moving magnets. I own an Audio Research PH3SE also and it just doesn't have enough gain for your cartridge at 54db. And the gain on the PH3SE is not adjustable. You need at least 10db more gain maybe more. So other than getting a different phono section or cartridge. I would not want to get another either as the Arc unit is very good. I would suggest you invest in a quality step-up transformer for movivg coil cartridges. There are many to choose from such as the Ortofon units or better. Figure a $100.00 on up depending on what you get. Set the input impedance back to 47k to properly load the transformer and the correct taps off the transfomer to match your cartridge. If after adding a step-up transformer you have too much gain it can be reduced as per the Audio Research instruction sheet #79300034 available from Audio Research. This will reduce the PH3's gain by aprx. 13db. If things get too loud after adapting a step-up transformer to the input of the PH3. I am sure you can get a very good compromise. Many MC phono sections use this method to aquire the correct amount of gain for low output cartridges. I see this as your easiest and most affordable way to get everything working without major selling and buying from scratch. Hope this helps and good luck.