The Vertere DG-X remains a turntable that wants you to enjoy the music rather than analyse every element – but this is a terrific improvement over its predecessor in every way.

The DG-X takes everything that the DG Series has always been capable of and refines and tweaks it to the point where there isn’t anything that matches its performance, flexibility and user friendliness.

It scarcely feels possible that another full trip around the sun has passed by since Volume 2 was released last December. It has been a remarkably busy year for us here at Vertere – one that you will find serialised throughout the pages of this magazine.

The Vertere Calon is an expensive phono preamplifier but it is the best I have heard thanks to an uncannily low noise floor, I doubt there are many that could equal it.

If you’ve got an earlier version of the Phono-1 don’t worry about swapping it out for this new one. Yes, the MkII L is clearly a step ahead, but the older generation remains an excellent unit. For new buyers, don’t hesitate to go for this version. Given a source and system of appropriate talent, it shines.