Audio Research Phono Stage PTII

[teaser5]

A while back I ran a post about this item and asked for input and got a lot of good responses including one from Steve himself. Thanks again!

I am going to bring home a PH3SE for a weekend sometime soon and give it a test drive.
Now when I ordered my BAT amp I paid extra for them to build in a phono stage. It sounds fine but I want to hear what a separate one might offer.
My question is what should I be listening for? Is it all about noise reduction or should records actually sound different ?

Thanks a lot!
Cheers,
Norm

[KLM]

Let us know what you think of the PHIIISE. I bought the PH III and at some point will upgrade to the SE version. As with any upgrade to my electronics, I listen for a quieter background, more detail in the mids and highs and possibly a better defined bottom end and better localization of the instruments within the soundstage.

I don't know what kind of difference you will realize or to what degree. The Audio Research phono preamp is a real winner but the BAT is supposed to be pretty good.

I think you will probably hear something but that's the fun in trying new components. So sit back, put on a favorite lp and see what you hear. Don't try and forecast, jst take it in. The best surprises I get from comparing new equipment is the unexpected sounds that I hear coming from the speakers in front of me.

Do let us know....