Audio never ceases to amaze. The turntable is the most mature component in consumer electronics – it pre-dates ‘electronics’- and yet still subject to innovation and improvement. The DG-1 (‘DG’ being short for ‘Dynamic Groove’) by Vertere Acoustics shows the vinyl revolution just keeps spinning.

   The turntable itself is a cleverly stripped-to-fighting-weight version of the company’s higher-end RG-1, SG-1 and MG-1 designs, using the same layered chassis concept and 24-pole decoupled motor system in simplified form. The flat Groove Runner arm, on the other hand, uses Nylon threads as a clever no-noise bearing.

   In out test, Chris Martens was taken by the performance of the DG-1, including its low-noise performance. “I am usually aware of subtle, low-level ‘groove rush’ noises, but these were virtually non-existent with the Dynamic Groove.” He was also impressed by the imaging properties of the turntable; “the relaxed openness and airiness of the DG-1/VM-520 combo, which went a long way toward conveying soundstage width and depth.”