A great turntable doesn’t just let you hear the music, it makes you feel it too. While plenty of decks introduce all manner of bells and whistles – some that work well, some that are mere gimmicks – the best convey a purity of sound that gets you closer to what the original musicians intended. This is Vertere’s guiding philosophy: that audio equipment shouldn’t add anything to the original recording, but on the contrary, should affect it as little as possible.
This is exemplified with the Vertere DG-1S, the company’s latest turntable (and successor to the multi-Award-winning DG-1). Vertere has poured decades of experience into the DG-1S to create a deck that’s on the bleeding edge of high-end audio while also being one of the most accessible premium record players around.
A new level in sonic excellence
So what’s new? Vertere was able to build on the sonic character of the DG-1, boosting its sound quality without sacrificing the musicality that the DG-1 was revered for. Improvements include higher resolution replay, greater dynamic contrasts, and improved stereo separation with greater precision. It’s the DG-1, and then some.
Vertere achieved this with multiple improvements to the DG-1’s construction. There’s an improved platter bearing, with the precision machining and polishing carried out to a higher tolerance with the variation halved. This combines with the Precision Tungsten Carbide interference fit ball to deliver lower noise, lower rumble, less stress for the motor and less rotational variability.
The Groove Runner 2 tonearm has been improved too. The arm beam is now made from a five-layer polymer laminate bonded to a second five-layer polymer laminate, with the PCB flex signal carrier bonded in between these two laminates. This new arm profile has improved the counterweight/bearing/headshell/cartridge alignment.
The tonearm bearings feature a Vertical Kevlar thread that’s now adjustable for tension and azimuth, while the Horizontal nylon thread bearing now has more tension precision for a better performance.
The new Motor Drive software allows separate adjustment in two steps for the lowest noise and vibration, while there’s added coupling between the top plate and plinth to improve resistive damping and reduce noise.
As advanced as you want it to be
You might expect such an advanced turntable to be fiendishly difficult to set up. Not so. In fact, the Vertere DG-1S comes with everything you need to get up and running straight out of the box – a Magneto cartridge, D-Fi interconnect and Vertere stylus balance. Just add records.
But you can also squeeze more performance out of this beast by investing in some of the premium extras available. Maybe you want a cleaner power supply? Check out the Challenger power supply and Redline power cable. Or you want to upgrade the cartridge? The Sabre Hi-End moving magnet phono cartridge is for you. While if it’s a neutral support for your vinyl record you’re after, the Techno Mat will do the job admirably.
And if you want to take things a step further, choose from the selection of super upgrades. The RG-1 iso shelf is a clear cast acrylic isolation support that will minimise colouration caused by unwanted vibrations, while the Silencer Equipment support pod fulfils a similar function, improving stereo focus, reducing background noise and boosting low-frequency resolution. Or you could opt for the Mystic moving coil phono cartridge, which is designed and manufactured to exacting standards to provide an uncompromising musical experience.
While these will all add to the experience, the DG-1S is a superb turntable in its own right, able to compete with decks costing much more than its £3550 / $4995 / AU$7000 asking price.
Upgrade your sound now
And if you want to coordinate your DG-1S with your home decor, it’s available in white as well as the standard black.
Interested? We don’t blame you. Head to the Vertere website to find out more about the DG-1S and to locate your local dealer so you can experience it for yourself.
