It’s a masterful performance, with an integrated, contiguous sound from
deepest bass to soaring treble. Soundstaging is unforced and natural – neither
painting too broad a picture nor reducing stage width. It’s dynamic too, with
sound rising from a super-quiet noise floor for vinyl. And crucially, even the
surface noise doesn’t intrude; it just ‘floats’ above the music.
The DG-1 rightly bears its name “Dynamic Groove”. No matter if rough impulses or fine dynamic contrasts like soft guitar noise, which add lively breath to a performance: the Vertere mastered it equally fast and effortless.
When a designer makes his or her mark with something exotic, there’s often a sense of trepidation when it comes to successfully trickling down the technology to the more affordable versions that are likely to be the big sellers.
You could think of the Mystic, at $2699, as somewhat “affordable,” but for me that’s a stretch. Better to say that while it’s not outrageously expensive, it’s still a high-rent MC that outputs a manageable 0.5mV. Its micro-elliptical stylus rides on a tubular cantilever of aluminum, and Vertere recommends a vertical tracking force (VTF) of 2gm.
The MG-1 MkII is just the second step-up in Vertere’s four-strong turntable family, though once arm and cartridge are included it still sits firmly in the high-end sector of the market.
We’re delighted to share with you the first DG-1 Dynamic Groove review by HIFICRITIC magazine. The in-depth review by Chris Kelly, also awards our first ‘plug and play’ record player the coveted ‘Audio Excellence’ status.
