SmarteR Design for Quieter Sound

Most phono stages have three steps to process the sound:

1. An input gain stage to boost the weak signal from the cartridge

2. A passive circuit to shape the sound using the RIAA EQ curve

3. An output gain stage to bring the signal to line output level

GROOVESTER is different - it has only two stages because it cleverly integrates the EQ curve into the input stage. This design has two big advantages:

• The input stage is ultra low-noise, so adding the EQ curve here keeps the sound as clean as possible

• With one less gain stage, there is less overall noise and less distortion, making the music sound clearer, purer and more detailed

This means GROOVESTER keeps background noise to a bare minimum, so you hear only the music - just as it was meant to be heard.

Precision Without Compromise

Many phono stages use an overall negative feedback loop to correct small errors like voltage offset and temperature drift. But GROOVESTER takes a different approach - it has no global negative feedback loop, which means it relies on extremely precise components instead of automatic corrections.

• The input stage is fully balanced and built with ultra-low noise transistors that are hand-matched for perfect performance

• Since the overall gain is very high, even tiny imperfections can make a difference. That’s why the residual offset of each input stage is trimmed by hand, individually for every GROOVESTER unit. This extreme electrical precision translates into highly accurate vinyl playback, especially in the bass region, making low frequency sound incredibly controlled and precise

• To minimize temperature drift, GROOVESTER uses high-precision resistors with an accuracy of 0.01% and 5 ppm/°C in the signal path

• The capacitors in the EQ curve are 1% precision, high-quality MKP capacitors, ensuring accurate frequency response and natural, lifelike sound

• Moving magnet cartridges typically have a DC resistance of 1.2 kOhm, which results in an inherent noise level of 4.5 nV√Hz. In comparison, GROOVESTER has an input-referred noise of just 0.4 nV√Hz, which is the minimum technological threshold for balanced input stages. This means that the noise introduced by the cartridge is far greater than that of the GROOVESTER, making its own noise contribution practically negligible

This level of care and precision ensures that GROOVESTER delivers the purest, most accurate sound possible - without relying on shortcuts.

Ultra Wide Bandwidth for Perfect Soundstage

A phono stage doesn’t just amplify the signal - it also affects how precise and natural the music sounds. One key factor is phase shift, which can change the way instruments and vocals are placed in the soundstage.

GROOVESTER is designed to avoid phase shift in the gain stages:

• Without the EQ curve, the gain path has a typical bandwidth of 500 kHz. This ultra-wide bandwidth ensures that the gain stages do not introduce phase shift, keeping the stereo image clear, deep and natural

• With the EQ curve in place, the only thing affecting the bandwidth and phase shift is the EQ circuit itself, not the gain stages

• The EQ curve is extremely precise, thanks to the high-precision 0.01% resistors and 1% MKP capacitors. With an accuracy of +/-0.1dB, this ensures that high-quality vinyl records are reproduced transparently, with incredible precision, dynamics and music detail.

This means that with GROOVESTER, your records sound exactly as they were meant to - full of depth, clarity and life.

Pure power for Clear Sound

GROOVESTER has a high quality internal linear power supply with a custom toroidal transformer. It has separate windings for the audio and digital circuits, so they don’t interfere with each other. Linear power supplies give clean, steady energy, which helps reduce noise and makes your music sound better.

Better Signal Switching

Some devices use cheap switches that can weaken the sound. GROOVESTER uses special relays that protect the signal, keeping your music pure and clear.

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