British audio brand Vertere has just launched the DG-X, the newest entry in its Dynamic Groove turntable lineup. If you're into vinyl—or just starting to dip your toes in—this might be the one that bridges the gap between "plug-and-play" convenience and true audiophile performance.

At $5,400, it’s not exactly beginner pricing. But Vertere is pitching the DG-X as a turntable that works for both seasoned listeners and ambitious newcomers who want something serious without diving into five-figure setups.

Let’s take a look at what makes this one different.

If you’ve seen Vertere’s earlier DG-1S model, the DG-X will look pretty familiar. It keeps the sleek, modern design with a three-layer acrylic plinth, including that distinctive transparent middle layer that lights up while your record spins. It’s a cool aesthetic touch—and not just for show.

Under the hood, though, things have been reworked. The updated plinth structure is built to isolate the parts that move (like the motor and tonearm) from external vibrations. There’s also a new suspension system, a damped steel chassis, and adjustable feet, all aimed at keeping the music clean and the mechanics stable. In other words: better sound, fewer unwanted rumblings.

At the heart of the DG-X is a redesigned motor drive system, borrowed in part from Vertere’s $33,500 flagship turntable, the RG-1 Reference Groove. It’s housed in a steel shell and powered by a programmable microprocessor. 

That chip generates precise sine and cosine waves—basically the stuff that tells the motor how to spin. The signals are then fed into bridged-balanced amps, which help the motor turn with consistency and low noise.

The motor connects to the platter via a machined aluminum pulley and a custom rubber belt, and you can switch speeds electronically using a rear-mounted button. No need to fuss with belts every time you want to switch from 33 to 45 RPM.

As for the platter itself, it’s made from aluminum alloy with a bonded PETG mat. There’s also a disc underneath that helps control resonance, and a protective layer that keeps the acrylic base safe. All of this sits on a stainless-steel spindle with a tungsten carbide bearing—a fancy way of saying it spins smoothly and should keep doing so for a long time without much maintenance.

One of the most noticeable upgrades is the new Groove Runner X tonearm. It’s built from five layers of bonded polymer, offering a mix of rigidity and low mass. Vertere has paired it with its Tri-Point bearing system, taken from their higher-end tonearms, which helps the stylus track the groove accurately.

The tonearm also comes pre-mounted with Vertere’s Sabre Lite MM cartridge, which replaces the older Magneto cartridge. It’s designed to offer better performance right out of the box and outputs a healthy 4.3mV, though final specs may still be updated.

What’s nice is that the tonearm is detachable, which makes the whole setup easier to transport or upgrade in the future. That flexibility isn’t always a given at this price point.

Turntable setup can be a chore, especially if you’re new to it. But Vertere says the DG-X is good to go in about 10 to 15 minutes. That’s because a lot of the adjustments—like anti-skating, counterweight, and cartridge alignment—are already dialed in at the factory.

For folks who don’t want to spend hours with a protractor and tracking force gauge, that’s a win.

That said, not everything is perfect. The speed control button is still placed oddly close to the belt. It’s a minor detail, but if you’re switching speeds often, you might find it a little annoying.

The Vertere DG-X package, which includes the Groove Runner X tonearm and Sabre Lite MM cartridge, is available now for $5,400. You can find it in three glossy colors: black, white, and red. As usual with gear like this, it’s sold through specialist audio dealers.

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