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Tom Evans Groove X, Aesthetix Rhea or JLTI

I've been looking at phono preamps over the past couple days. At this point it seems that my phono pre (Wright WPP 100c) may be the weak link in my system. So in the spirit of audiophilia it would seem that I should try to squeeze out another 2-4% out of my system.

I'm told that the Aesthetix rhea will be too noisy with my Benz Ebony L because of its very low .26mv output. A shame really since I found one at a pretty god price used. Then there is the Tom Evans Groove X, But I haven't been able to find much info on it. Then too the Groove does not have adjustable gain which I consider important. Therefore I am leaning towards the JLTI which has adjustable loading and gain. The JLTI, along with the TE Groove has a small footprint which will also be beneficial since I don't have proper room in my rack for a full size unit.

So i think I've answered my own question, The JLTI is also about $1k cheaper also. Therefore the JLTI may not be the final phono pre, but it may be a step up from the Wright and feed the Teres better until I can take a bigger step up. Is there something I may be missing. Is the JLTI a big step up from the Wright, which I also consider a great over achiever? Thoughts?
128x128artemus_5
drw50
8 posts
 
Hi John, the Groove X, which I own, has switches which allows the following load settings:

(ohms)
112, 126, 144, 168, 200, 250, 333, 500, 1000.

capacitance(pF)
100, 200, 300, 400, 500

I myself love this preamp.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Thanks Drw50, that's pretty flexible.
restock
831 posts
 
Jmcrogan - the reason why there was no mention of loading for the old TE Groove was that all of them were custom made with a set value for loading - no variable loading. Only the new models have flexible loading options.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>03-21-10: Restock
the reason why there was no mention of loading for the old TE Groove was that all of them were custom made with a set value for loading - no variable loading. Only the new models have flexible loading options.<<

Not true.

The current Groove has preset loading as well.

Only the "X" models have selectable loading i.e. Groove X and Microgroove X.

Dealer disclaimer.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification Restock and Audiofeil. I had thought all TEAD phono stages had preset loads, like my Walker Audio phono stage. However, TEAD does make a flexible model, unlike Walker Audio.
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