Wow.....I had forgotten about this thread. Anyways thanks for your responses guys but I finally went for an IO Sig that I found slightly used (6 months old) at a local dealer in early December. A new IO was out of my league, forget about the Sig, but I guess they were afraid of being stuck with this used one so they were selling it for about the same price as a new PH7. I really lucked out. I compared it with both my PH3 and PH7 over a weeks time; the IO Sig is not in the same league as the ARC's. Way more information, presence and micro dynamics, I guess it was love at first sight.... It complements my ARC/Cremona setup so well I was floored.
As recommended by Glenn at Aesthetix and Andy at Vintage Audio I since replaced the 4 12AX7LP's in the first stage with 4 NOS RCA 60's 12AX7. As well the original 6SN7 were replaced by 2 NOS 6SN7, man does it sound sweet. First time tube roller, made a believer in me. BTW the original tubes in the IO as still in new condition.
In all fairness I don't see why I should change my tonearm or anything now for that matter, thats how amazing it now plays. Now I just listen and relax (my wife even noticed I stopped analysing the music), isn't it what it's all about.....
Again thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it
