What it is
Tom Evans Audio Design — Aberbargoed, South Wales, UK. The Groove+ SRX MkII sits two steps below the Mastergroove SR flagship in Tom Evans' six-model phono stage range. SRX denotes second-generation "Super-Regulated" Lithos PSU + distortion cancellation circuitry.
Key SRX feature: distortion cancellation circuitry (vs simpler topology of Microgroove+ X). At Groove+ SRX tier and above, Tom Evans implements active distortion cancellation in addition to ultra-low noise regulation — this is the differentiating step-up from lower Groove tiers.
Lithos PSU technology: external multi-rail Lithos-regulated PSU box separate from main phono chassis. Multiple transformers + multiple Lithos regulation stages = ultra-low noise floor approach. Tom Evans' core engineering thesis: "the quieter this crucial part of the amplification chain is the wider the bandwidth and the more you will be able to hear" (The Ear).
The Audio Beatnik review (3-month audition): "I got taken on an unexpected trip... down a couple of new audio paths and resulted in me being a more educated audio listener." Praised resolution, detail extraction, and distortion-cancellation benefit at this tier.
Build: larger black acrylic casework than Microgroove (non-magnetic philosophy) + separate larger external PSU box. Aberbargoed Wales hand-built by Tom Evans personally. Boutique UK Welsh audio manufacturer.
Cartridge compatibility: same MC-focused gain band as Microgroove+ (0.2-0.6mV optimum). Configuration set at factory — discuss with Tom Evans before order. MC focus is by design — the Groove range is positioned as ultimate MC phono stages where ultra-low noise matters most. For MM use, lower-tier Microgroove+ X MM-configured is sufficient.
Who it comes up against
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Intimate brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gains most on tonal body.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up low-level clarity under the Intimate weighting.
quieter power suppliesThe Ear / 6moons — Groove+ SRX
RIAA tracking within +/-0.1dBSPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.1dB (manufacturer)
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the Rega Aura Reference MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Crimson, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Crimson gives up low-level clarity under the Intimate weighting.
quieter power suppliesThe Ear / 6moons — Groove+ SRX
quieter power suppliesThe Ear / 6moons — Groove+ SRX
4 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Colibri, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Colibri gives up quietness at rest under the Artisan weighting.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio 60Se Pro keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio TITAN Pro II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Michell Apollo + Muse PSU keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
lower noise floorThe Ear — Groove+ SRX MkII review
0 lost· 1 won · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII takes the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII is the stronger phono stage for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.