DS Audio ES-001: Vinyl eccentricity neutralizer

DS Audio's ES-001 Detected Eccentricity Stabilizer should improve the sound quality of LPs. It is designed to ensure perfect vinyl alignment, increase rotational stability and reduce vibration.

DS Audio has turned its attention to a problem that can interfere with vinyl's “best” sound: the eccentricity of vinyl records. Measuring 70mm tall and 80mm in diameter, the ES-001 weighs 620g (with batteries) and is another “world first” claimed by DS Audio (patent pending).

The fact is that most records spin a little eccentrically. However, even this very small variation creates an audible difference in sound. According to DS Audio, “the overall ‘wow and flutter' speed error of the entire system cannot be significantly reduced unless eccentricity is corrected.” With an eccentricity value of, say, 0.34 mm, even if there is no inherent vibration or flutter, it reaches about 0.15% on the innermost grooves of the playing surface of the record.

Unstable rotation causes pitch fluctuations throughout the entire frequency range. Additionally, the cartridge and tonearm are forced to rock back and forth as they follow the groove, which impairs the stylus's ability to accurately track the groove and results in a muddy sound with an unstable sound image.

Powered by an aluminum and tungsten battery, the ES-001 measures and then helps correct the rotational stability of the record. First, it projects light onto the output groove to measure the change in speed stability. Secondly, it will help adjust the position of the record so that it is perfectly centered and there is no longer any eccentricity.