System edited: Have enough gain now, although a bit more would be welcomed. Sound is more transparent than with the transformer. Can't say I love the look of current ARC products. To my eye the toggles and rotaries of days passed looked better and certainly more classically ARC than touchy things and digital displays (the latter fortunately absent from the "entry level" PH5).
System edited: Was going to keep the Arcam for CD reproduction but the Sony sounds absolutely great with Redbook also, so it is now sold with the proceeds going to the PBB upgrade fund.
System edited: Counter intuitive move, audiophiles are not enamoured by these speakers but on the used market they can't be beat, all factors being considered, price being a major one.
System edited: well I got them, but they were "used" and not what I had planned on. Required a lot of effort and some $$$ to get them running. Hope they work out now that the dealer found time to effect the repairs. Hope springs eternal...
