Hi Stephen
I have an interesting version of the Mastergroove which replaced a Groove + SRX, which I think replaced a Microgroove way back in the day. Mine sits (rather, will sit) between an LP12 and 552DR/500DR.
Whilst I can tell you that I noticed a considerable improvement when I replaced the Groove I can only be sketchy because a house move and all that entails has intervened. I eventually moved at the end of January but have yet to get the record player etc up and running. Imminent but not yet.
You may find the images of mine interesting - Tom Evans advised me that he made it for a very good friend of his, no longer with us; and it is unique insofar as the casing is clear acrylic, not the usual black. I sent it back to Tom who upgraded it to the latest top spec offered and I am really looking forward to getting everything back up and running.
One aspect which caught me off guard is that the power supply looked the same to me in photos as that used with the Groove. When I collected it I realised it is much larger and I don’t think it fits on a standard Fraim shelf - I think a medium shelf works okay (I used tall legs which all looked a bit ungainly).
Lots of words and not much technical help with your question. I didn’t test against other top phonos - too lazy for that and not sure who would be able to offer such an audition opportunity. If you like Tom Evans phonos, I doubt you can go wrong with the Mastergroove particularly if you have a decent spec’d record player.
Peter
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