DS Audio
ES-001
The ES-001 is a precision record clamp built by optical-cartridge specialist DS Audio that measures and helps correct vinyl record eccentricity — the mismatch between a pressed record's actual groove center and the turntable spindle's absolute center — which is a common cause of wow, flutter, and pitch instability in vinyl playback. Using two sets of infrared LEDs and position-sensing detectors arranged 90 degrees apart, it displays a live eccentricity reading so the user can manually reposition the record on the spindle (aided by an included precision awl for spindle-hole adjustment) to minimize rotational error before playback.
MSRP
$6,000
Used market · Good
$4,375
MSRP to used market
From $6,000 at launch to $4,375 today.
Specifications
- Price
- $6,000 USD
- Weight
- 620 g including batteries
- Function
- Detects and displays record eccentricity (offset between groove rotation center and spindle center) in real time, allowing manual repositioning of the LP to reduce wow/flutter and improve tracking stability
- Material
- Aluminum and tungsten construction, functioning as a record clamp/weight during measurement
- Dimensions
- 80 mm diameter × 70 mm height
- Power source
- Two AA batteries
- Measured effect
- Correction factors up to ×24 reported on specific pressings (e.g., eccentricity reduced from 48μm to 2μm on one Roger Waters LP); results vary significantly by individual record and pressing
- Sensing technology
- Two sets of infrared LED emitters and PSD (position-sensitive detector) elements arranged at a 90-degree angle, reading run-out at the record's innermost groove as it rotates
- Included accessories
- Precision awl tool for minor adjustments to the LP's spindle hole when needed
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