Experiences on Tom Evans phono stage ?

I am using a Dynavestor XV1-S. The upgrade certainly gives more detail and I wouldn't worry about making old/poor recordings sound worse. What seems to happen is that it gets more information off of the record, particualrly effective is retrieval of the ambience of the venue. I find that I now actually prefer my older recordings - though whether this is the cartridge or the phono stage is difficult to say.

I once had a chat with Tom Evans and he did tell me that even if one uses the SRX with cheap cart like a Denon 103r, it will still sound very good.

I borrowed a Groove X (I think) for a week or so from a local dealer. It had dip switches for adjusting loading and capacitance.

Initially I found it quite impressive. It was very quiet, detailed, black backgrounds. It had the lowest noise floor I'd ever heard in a phono stage. I was ready to buy it, but I had a nagging doubt. After going back to my other phono stage - an Exposure 13 - I identified what it was. The Groove lacked dynamics. The Groove didn't groove. A plucked guitar string or struck cymbal, while rendered with incredible tonal accuracy, just did not have the speed or impact of the real thing. My Exposure phono stage did not resolve detail quite as well, but made more musical sense. I returned the Groove and am still happily using my Exposure phono stage.

My problem with Tom Evans is that he doesn't deliver. He has had ten grand of my cash for over six years and still all I get is empty words. Whether you enjoy the sound of his products or not I would certainly council not giving the man a dime until you have the product in your hands.

When I upgraded my Groove to Plus status, issues from day one that Tom was hugely reluctant to sort. It needed direct intervention from my dealer, and I finally got a functioning phono. I went against my better nature, and stuck w Tom on the SRX upgrade, no issues w that.

I do remember it being reasonable with a variety of carts incl Lyra Skala and Parnassus, Zu Denon 103, Transfiguration Temper and Orpheus. But not outstanding.

I was quite close to ordering the Mastergroove, but chanced on the Soundsmith Straingauge instead. And have never looked back.