DG-1S Dynamic Groove
RECORD PLAYER
Decades of experience have been poured into the DG-1S to create a turntable that’s on the leading edge of high-end audio while positioning itself as one of the most accessible premium record players around.
So what’s new? Building on the sonic performance of the DG-1, we’ve boosted the 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.
The DG-1S record player is covered by a 5 year extended warranty. For the extended warranty to be valid, you must register the product with Vertere Acoustics here.
New 5-ply tonearm beam
New 5-ply Groove Runner S Top and Lower beams possess much higher acoustic linearity than their predecessor.
Top and Lower beams are bonded and riveted to ensure optimum rigidity combined with linear resistive damping.
Couple the above with the inherent critical damping of the beam construction and we have an ideal platform to support the cartridge.
Improved tonearm bearings
Groove Runner S Kevlar thread bearing is now adjustable for tension and azimuth. With the new Azimuth Adjustment Counterweight Screw, finer azimuth setting is made easier and more accurately to enhance cartridge performance.
New higher tolerance super polished main bearing spindle
DG-1S utilises a higher tolerance matched main bearing with super polished bearing spindle for ultra-smooth, noise-free running. The new bearing ensures even quieter background further enhancing dynamic range and resolution.
New Motor Drive software
The new motor drive software facilitates a three step factory adjustment of the motor torque and noise setting with a final minimum noise adjustment. The new software allows an initial setting of the sine wave voltage and fixes it to establish the reference. A separate, independent cosine wave voltage setting with phase angle adjustment ensures lowest noise and vibration from the drive motor.
“This new generation of DG-1 builds on the excellent original to remain at the forefront of turntables at this level. We haven’t come across a similarly priced alternative that sounds as entertaining and informative as this. Buy with confidence.”
“Additionally, improvements to the platter bearing promise to deliver lower noise and less rotational variability.”
“Updates include a new tonearm to improve the counterweight, as well as an improved platter to deliver less interference, and updates on the Motor Drive software to reduce noise and vibrations.”
Technology
The Motor Drive
In case you thought the motor’s only job was to make sure the record rotates at the correct speed, think again: as the only source of energy for the signal generated by the cartridge, in short the music we hear, it’s arguably the most important component of any record player. The DG-1S’ motor system is derived from that developed for the flagship RG-1 Reference Motor Drive and it is as sophisticated as it is innovative yet it sits hidden away inside the main steel chassis. DG-1S’ advanced motor drive incorporates a programmable microprocessor with a D/A convertor to provide low distortion sine and cosine waves that are used to turn the motor. The signals generated are then amplified to the correct level using two bridged-balanced amplifiers. The amplified drive signals then feed and control every move of the motor to ensure a linear, smooth turning of the drive pulley. The motor itself is a low voltage Precision Synchronous design, individually ‘tuned’ for the lowest noise by adjusting the microprocessor controls during manufacture. A copper foil and a stainless-steel cover provide shielding of both inward and outward interference to ensure the best possible performance. The result is accuracy and precision of drive to the motor that ultimately is responsible for making of the music. There is a service panel on the underside of the chassis that allows connection to the motor drive PCB for future adjustment and software upgrades.
The Platter
Drive to the platter is via a precision machined aluminium alloy pulley on the motor and a bespoke silicon rubber drive belt for smoothness and durability, while electronic speed change, via a switch to the rear of the plinth top-plate, adds to the ease of use and removes any need for belt-handling. Like the pulley, the platter itself is also precision-machined alloy, to the top of which is bonded a PETG record interface mat. On the underside an aluminium alloy bonded disc controls platter resonance while a cork/Neoprene/nitrile bonded disc protects the acrylic plinth from accidental damage that could be caused by the platter inadvertently touching the plinth.
The Main Bearing
The platter fits onto the super polished stainless-steel spindle that rides on a precision tungsten carbide ball in the high tolerance DG-1S main bearing housing. The complete bearing assembly is long-term lubricated for longevity and ease of use. This avoids regular repeated recharging of the bearing lubricant, which is essential to prevent premature wear and damage – another example of simplifying record player maintenance and optimising performance. The new super polished precision bearing delivers even lower noise, lower rumble and higher rotational stability all essential for accurate playback of records.
The Groove Runner S Tonearm
The DG-1S arm is uniquely Vertere and differs from conventional thinking in its use of a flat profile in place of the usual tube. Conventional arms use tubes for stiffness, but these can introduce all kinds of problems with high Q resonances and thus the need for extra damping – costly and complicated. The DG-1S' bonded double five-layer, non-resonant tonearm beam avoids these problems. In addition, in place of conventional tonearm cabling, a flexible PCB is sandwiched into the arm to shield and ‘carry’ the signal from the cartridge to the output terminals. Completing the arm are a stainless-steel counterweight with azimuth adjustment screw and a fine adjustment tracking weight, to provide a total solution that's as simple and elegant as it is innovative.
The Silent Thread Bearings
The bearings allowing the arm its horizontal and vertical movement on the Groove Runner are also innovative: there aren’t any – well, not in the conventional sense!
Many solutions have been sought over the years for ‘precise’ bearings, which need to be small and hopefully not too noisy. For the Groove Runner, Vertere has developed an elegant, innovative solution borrowing ideas from the Reference Tonearm: twisted nylon (hundreds of 3 microns thick twined Nylon strands) and high strength Kevlar threads. Utilising one nylon thread for movement in the horizontal plane, and two Kevlar ones for the vertical motion replace the conventionally used ball-race or gimbal type bearings.
These threads have many advantages, not the least of which is simplicity: they exhibit none of the Stiction – or initial resistance to movement – of conventional bearings, are super-light and noiseless. In addition, the twist of the nylon thread smartly provides the anti-skate force without any other moving or sliding part. Finally, design geometry of these bearings cleverly provides the optimum support rigidity for the cartridge during playback to ensure lifelike dynamics that is only achievable from much costlier designs.
The Plinth Structure
Similar to the Groove Runner tonearm the DG-1 plinth is a three-layer sandwich construction using non-resonant cast acrylic to form the main plinth and the sub-plinth – clean and sophisticated. This three-layer design incorporates the control button, the speed indicator and the user-selectable standby mood-lighting, as well as six bespoke silicon rubber suspensions that isolate the sub-plinth from the main plinth and chassis. The sub-plinth isolation effectively ‘distances’ the bearing/platter assembly and the tonearm/cartridge from the main plinth structure. The main plinth assembly sits on a steel chassis, chosen for optimal stability, housing the motor drive circuit and the motor all supported by three adjustable feet.
The DG-1S’ formed polycarbonate dust-cover clips onto its hinges that are neatly integrated into the main plinth for a sleek and modern profile.
Challenger DC Power Supply
Challenger is a performance enhancing dedicated DC power supply for the award-winning DG-1S Record Player and Tempo Motor Drive. Countless hours of testing and investigative listening has enabled us to provide this astonishing upgrade for the DG-1S record player and the Tempo Motor Drive. Challenger elevates the performance of our worldwide award-winning record players to yet a new peerless level. Challenger is supplied with standard Mains cable or, as Challenger Redline Package, with Redline Mains Cable for further enhanced performance. Redline Mains cable can be fitted with UK, Europe, US, Swiss and Australian plugs to suit.
DG-1S Suggested Systems
Comes With
The DG-1S comes with everything you need to get started - just add your record.
Magneto Cartridge
D-Fi Interconnect
Vertere Stylus Balance
Upgrades
Take your listening experience to the next level with our range of suggested upgrades for the DG-1S record player.
Redline Power Cable
Redline Interconnect
Techno Mat
Sabre Cartridge
Iso-Paw Support Pods
PHONO-1 MKII L Phono Preamp
Challenger Power Supply
Super Upgrades
For those who want even more performance from their DG-1S record player, we’ve got you covered.
RG-1 ISO Shelf
Silencer Support Pods
Mystic Cartridge
Can’t decide? We’ve put together our recommended combinations that contain everything you need to get the most out of our award-winning DG-1S record player.
Type
Belt drive
Motor
24 Pole Synchronous
Acetal Spindle Thrust Bearing
Motor Mount
Axially De-coupled
Pulley
Super Precision Aluminium Alloy
Drive Belt
Bespoke Silicone Rubber
Platter DG-1
Precision Machined Aluminium Alloy
PETG Bonded Record Interface Mat
Underside Bonded Resonance Control Disc and Bonded Protective Cork/Neoprene/Nitrile Disc
Bearing Spindle DG-1
Non Magnetic Stainless Steel
Super Precision Machined and Polished
Roundness / Concentricity
< 5 Microns
Bearing Housing
Brass
Super Precision Machined
Bore Tolerance < 5 Microns
Super Precision Tungsten Carbide Ball
Plinth Structure
3 Layer Cast Acrylic
Middle Clear Plinth, Internally Illuminated
Isolation System
6 Point, Bespoke Silicone Rubber
Support Structure
Black Coated Zintec Steel Chassis
Three Adjustable Feet with Resistive Felt
Motor Drive
Advanced Microprocessor Controlled
Fully Programmable with Motor Noise Reduction
Bridged Balanced Motor Output Amplifiers
Speeds
33.3 and 45 rpm (+/- 0.2%)
Electronically Selectable
Dust Cover
Bespoke Formed Tinted Polycarbonate
Dimensions (W x D x H)
469 x 384 x 130mm (including dust cover)
Power Supply
Wall Adaptor Type
UK, US, EU and AUS Exchangeable Plugs
100 – 240 Vac with 1.5m Cord
Finishes
Black and white gloss
Weights
8kg - Net
Specifications
DG-1S Record Player
Groove Runner S Tonearm
Type
Fixed Axis Bearing
Effective Length
240mm
Overhang
17.5mm
Offset Angle
22.9°
Bearing Structure
One Twisted Nylon 6.6/6 Thread – Horizontal Motion
Two High Strength Kevlar Threads – Vertical Motion
Counterweight
Stainless Steel
With Fine Azimuth Adjustable Screw
Front Beam Small Weight
Stainless Steel Block
Fine Tracking Weight and Arm/Cartridge Resonance Tuning
Internal Wiring
Gold Plated Flexible PCB
with Vertere Gold Plated Cartridge Tags
One Piece from Cartridge
To Output
RCA Sockets
Weight
310g