acapella excalibur

 

Stereoplay, Germany, Feb 2005 - dps Turntable with dps 250 tonearm (modified Rega)

* 8 points for sound (out of 10) - and that's with only a modified Rega 250 tonearm *

"Previously, only vinyl playback insiders were aware of this turntable.  Now, the record player from Munich is enjoying huge popularity because of its outstanding technical performance and design, its aesthetic simple beauty, and extraordinary sound.  It places instruments accurately outlined into the soundstage area and draws a deep as well as exact bass, just like much larger turntables systems do."

* Soundscape Note: The dps is a small turntable - 17.7" x 13.8" x 7.1 inch (with lid) *

 

 

 

dps 2

The best high end turntable in a small package?

It is a pleasure when you get an excellent engineer and a master craftsman combining to make an exquisite product. the dps sonically outperforms many more expensive turntables.

The dps turntable exhibits exceptional performance but small and compact in size.

"The dps with Schroeder No. 2 succeeds in offering both a good visual appeal and perfect sound.  In terms of sound, it is as stable as a mass device, but also as agile as a good subchassis turntable on top of it.  It will set the standard in its price range."

 

Rated World-Class by Audiophile, a German magazine, January 2004

"So I insist: Extending beyond its price range, the dps is a very hot tip for a turntable, and every analogue-fan should listen to it at least once.“ - Dalibor Beric


REVIEW

dps 2

dps - "der Plattenspieler" ("The Turntable") is the brainchild of Mr. Willibald Bauer of Germany.  The dps was conceived as a culmination of his long experience in using and setting up several other turntable brands.  For example, Willi adopted the high torque design.

The dps is a suspended turntable, without springs, but with proprietary damping that provides a spring-effect.

"The dps turntable looks stylish and compact but performs like a high mass turntable while preserving the life and speed of a small platter. Stable and musical, Willi applies silent high-friction bearing in combination with a very powerful motor (free standing)."

"The dps turntable has a light platter for low energy storage, the system motor - bearing - platter form as a mass - with a "spring-effect" system that, in this case has utmost rotational stability on the top of its priority list.  The bearing has a lot of drag without creating noise, so the cartridge drag becomes a negligible factor in the energy loss equation that determines dynamic behavior under running conditions (cart in modulated groove)."

The plinth is of the same material used on the floors of Germany's high-speed trains, but double in thickness.  The important factor to note is that besides the material, the careful layering design is what counts more.

 

The platter is made of high-quality acrylic.

Belt used is made of flat rubber.  With the use of threads, no noise from the motor is transferred to the turntable.  Willi, however, was able to achieve the proper balance in his design, where the benefits of both rubber and thread are realized.  Because of different resonance frequencies in the horizontal and vertical planes, a flat rubber belt design is employed.  Furthermore, this has a higher contact area and works well with the high torque design of the dps turntable.

DPS 2 Power Supply (PS-2P-NT)

Specifications :
• 2P means 2 phase power supply, NT stands for Netzteil (German word for power supply)
• Analogue sine wave generator and one power amp
• Passive phase shift
Switchable and adjustable speeds 33 / 45 rpm
• Speed accuracy: < 0,05%
• Size: 105 mm x 105 mm x 270 mm
• Weight: 3 kg


Motor Design

"This extreme quality German made turntable has some very special and unique features. A very high torque detached Berger Synchronous motor that works hard against a platter which offers a degree of resistance (not a free turning bearing).  This unique concepts contradicts the high mass platter camp that proclaims low resistance and high mass to be the answer. The DPS platter shows exceptionally little wow when the stylus tracks through dense passages."  The platter size was derived in conjunction with the high torque design, is directly related and optimized for best sound after several tests.

  • Spindle made of proprietary special material
  • No springs that deteriorate, a self-damped suspension material is used instead, acting as a "spring" and shock absorber at the same time.  Material is used in building construction, anti-seismic (anti-earthquake) properties.
  • Proprietary green mat under turntable
  • Multi-layered plinth - plywood, heavy damping foil, plywood, heavy damping foil, plywood, cork

 



SHOW REPORTS

High End 2006 Show in Munich Germany

Hongkong Tube Audio Show 2005

Features:

• Made in Germany
• Plinth made from layered Plexiglas, cork, birch plywood and heavy damping foil
• Damped granite base
• Inverted bearing using a ruby ball
• High torque detached synchron motor
• Three part composite and stainless steel motor housing
• Separate power supply
• Adjustable damping feet
• PVC Record clamp
• Finishes: maple, cherry

Specification:
• Speed: 331/3 und 45 rpm manually via a two-step pulley
• Speed stability: < 0,1%
• Weight: 23 kg, AC power supply 4 kg
• Size: 450 mm x 350 mm x 180 mm (incl. lid) - 17.7" x 13.8" x  7.1 inch (with lid)
• Guarantee: 3 years

OUR OPINION

This is a turntable that breaks the rules giving the best aspects of high mass design, bass extension, pitch stability, and a solid presentation allied to the speed and dexterity and life of small platter turntables. It avoids the high mass phenomenon which robs the life from recordings.

The result is in our opinion the best sound quality available in such a compact turntable without the failings of the competition and the highest value for money in the price sector.

Soundscape HiFi comments on the dps turntable:

"Several isolation layers with anti-seismic, anti-earthquake suspension material ? Does it work ?  Believe it !  Even with its diminutive size, without any form of springs, one can knock on the rack supporting the dps turntable and get no noise transferred to the speakers.  "Shock-proof", and such attention to isolation results in superbly quiet playback as well.

Low mass design that performs like high mass ? Yes, Willi Bauer has indeed succeeded in merging the good qualities of high mass design into the inherent low mass design of the dps turntable - i.e. desirable high mass qualities like good bass extension, pitch stability, and assured presentation.  All these with a dps-modified Rega RB-250 tonearm.  Other good tonearms like the Scheu tonearms, Schroder Model 2, Naim Aro, SME V, Pluto 5A, etc. will provide varying levels of performance.

Like the Scheu Premier turntable, another no-nonsense high-performance turntable performing way above its price, the dps sonically outperforms much more expensive turntables.  Check it out to believe."

 

DPS 3 Main difference between the dps 2 and dps 3 is in the upgraded motor/power supply. To answer the question, yes it is worth the extra outlay in funds. If you havn't heard it then you could happily go through life secure in the knowledge that you have an excellent turntable, in fact one of the very best. However hear the difference the dps 3 makes and you just have to have it, much closer to the master tape than it has any right to be at anything near this price.

Lyra Dorian Simply the best value for money MC cartidge available, the step up from the budget MC's is breathtaking a true reference product. If you can stretch your budget to a Dorian you will be rewarded in increased performance and longevity.

Stereophile Recommended Components Class B

Continuum Caliburn Reference Turntable SystemIt simply has no peers this is a significant step forward in analogue design and as such can only be compared to live music which is no bad thing. It may not be affordable but then the best in the world seldom is. The select few who can afford it are in for a rollercoaster ride through their album collections.

Triplanar Precision Tone arm MKVII Why do triplanar only produce one tone arm? Simply because it is the best tone arm that they can produce and is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest tone arms in the world. Good accurate engineering costs money and takes time which is reflected in the very reasonable cost for such an item.


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