Introducing the new and improved DG-1S Record Player
Three years on since the launch of the hugely innovative and award-winning DG-1 Dynamic Groove record player, we are delighted to announce the new and improved DG-1S.
The DG-1S improvements bring higher resolution replay, greater dynamic contrasts, improved stereo separation with greater precision while at the same time keeping the musicality the DG-1 delivers with great aplomb. The DG-1S will be available in September 2022.
What’s New?
Improved platter bearing – The precision machining and polishing operations have a higher tolerance with the variation halved statistically. The super smooth finish bore with the precision Tungsten Carbide interference fit ball delivers lower noise, lower rumble, a lower effort for the motor and less rotational variability.
Groove Runner S tonearm – The arm beam is now constructed from a five-layer polymer laminate bonded to a second five-layer polymer laminate. The PCB flex signal carrier is bonded in-between the two laminates. The profile of the arm and bearing has improved the counterweight/bearing/headshell/cartridge alignment.
Improved tonearm bearings – The Vertical Kevlar thread bearing is now adjustable for tension and azimuth. The Horizontal nylon thread bearing is now fitted with greater precision to ensure even greater consistency.
New Motor Drive software allows separate adjustment in two steps, initially the sine wave voltage and then the cosine wave adjustment at the final stage for the absolute lowest noise and vibration.
Improved coupling between the three plinths – improves resistive damping and reduces noise.
The new DG-1 S design in detail
Advanced, improved, microprocessor-generated electronic motor drive for the best possible drive Fully Programmable and Copper/Stainless Steel shielded Motor Drive PCB – allowing for future upgrades
Low voltage 24 Pole Precision Synchronous Motor, with its dedicated motor drive supply precisely adjusted for lowest motor noise and vibration
Improved super-accuracy polished stainless steel, high aspect ratio, main bearing spindle and main bearing housing with Tungsten Carbide super-precision Ball
High precision CNC machined aluminium alloy drive pulley
High Precision Machined Aluminium Alloy Platter with bonded PETG Record Interface Mat and Cork/Neoprene/Nitrile bonded underside plus resonance control disk
Noiseless and Stiction eliminating Thread Tonearm Bearings, each made up of hundreds of 3 microns thick twined Nylon 6.6/6 strands horizontal and two Kevlar threads vertical
Twin Bonded five-layer Polymer sandwich non-resonant Tonearm Beam
One piece, Gold Plated Flexible PCB Tonearm Internal Wiring
Stainless Steel Main Balancing Counterweight and Tracking Adjustment Weight with azimuth adjustment
Non-resonant, triple sandwich Cast Acrylic Main and Sub Plinth structure with improved intercoupling and coupling to the steel main-chassis for rigidity and structural support
Three new design adjustable feet with Resistive Felt Pads
Low frequency compliant, Tuned Silicone rubber integrated isolation system
Bespoke clear precision silicone rubber round 'belt' – stable with temperature and humidity
Programmable Standby light
33/45 touch button speed selector
Non-resonant clear Polycarbonate dust cover with elegant Integrated hinges
Multi-voltage, Multi-plug Mains Power Adaptor – suitable for almost any region or can be upgraded with the Challenger power supply
The core elements in more detail
The Motor
The motor is the most crucial part of any turntable: it's the only source of energy for the signal generated by the cartridge and fed out to the amplifier, so quality and accuracy are vital. The DG-1 motor system is derived from that developed for the flagship RG-1 Reference Motor Drive: it uses the most advanced motor drive, delivering the best possible performance. The motor itself is a low voltage 24-pole Precision Synchronous design, individually tuned for the lowest noise and with an offboard power supply. An addressable microprocessor PCB controls it during manufacture to ensure accuracy and programmability for future upgrades. A copper and stainless-steel cover provides shielding from both inward and outward interference.
The Platter assembly
Drive to the platter is via a precision machined aluminium alloy pulley on the motor and a bespoke silicon rubber drive belt, with electronic speed change for ease of use. The platter is also a precision machined alloy, bonded to a PETG record interface mat, and, on the underside, a cork/Neoprene/nitrile disk bonded to control platter resonance.
The Bearing
The platter fits onto a super polished stainless-steel spindle that rides in the main bearing housing on a super precision tungsten carbide ball. The complete main 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 this turntable to optimise performance. In addition, the new super-precision bearing delivers lower noise, lower rumble and lower rotational variability.
The Groove Runner S Arm
The DG-1 S 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 bring all kinds of problems with high Q resonances and thus the need for critical damping – costly and complicated. The DG-1's 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 carry the signal from the cartridge to the output terminals. Completing the arm are a stainless-steel counterweight with azimuth adjustment and a fine adjustment tracking weight, giving a total solution that's as simple and elegant as it is innovative.
Thread bearings
Many solutions have been sought over the years for precise bearings, but for the DG-1, Vertere has developed a very simple solution: twisted nylon (hundreds of 3 microns thick twined Nylon 6.6/6 strands) and Kevlar threads– one for movement in the horizontal plane, and two Kevlar for the vertical axis. 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, and the twist of the thread controls and damps the movement of the arm.
The Plinth
Like the tonearm, the DG-1 plinth is a sandwich construction, using non-resonant cast acrylic to form the main plinth and the sub-plinth for a clean and sophisticated look. This three-layer design incorporates the control button, the speed indicator and the user-selectable standby mood-lighting, as well as the silicon rubber isolation between the plinth and the platter assembly. The whole assembly sits on a steel chassis, chosen for optimal stability, housing the motor drive circuit and the motor, all supported by three new-design adjustable feet with Resistive Felt Pads.
The DG-1S comes with a non-resonant Polycarbonate dust cover, where its hinges are integrated into the plinth for a sleek and modern profile.
DG-1S will be available September 2022. To find our more, please contact your specialist Vertere Retailer