If having balanced circuitry is really important to you then you can scratch most of the ones you listed off your list. I owned the Groove, for a year, I demoed the Rhea for 2 weeks, I owned the ARC PH-5 for about 6 months, I demoed the ARC PH-7 for one week, the Steelhead for 2 weeks.
I liked the PH-5 the best but, that's just me. And you can get it new for way under what you are willing to spend. It is better sounding than their preveious Ref (which sold for what? $10,000?) and I think it is as good as the new PH-7 which is their new Ref.
I liked the PH-5 the best but, that's just me. And you can get it new for way under what you are willing to spend. It is better sounding than their preveious Ref (which sold for what? $10,000?) and I think it is as good as the new PH-7 which is their new Ref.