A must listening to this magic, mysterious, out-worldly, esoteric, introspective, energetic, enlightening, mind-blowing, satori-like masterpiece… I feel the need to immerse myself every a few years.
It’s like being back in the womb… hearing the sound of spheres, uncompromising, raw and wild… like contemplating clouds for hours or a constellation from a telescope for years.
… tiring, exhausting, moving: maybe one of my most beloved pieces of music, ever.
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Expensive, out of print, unobtanium, yet… such a masterpiece it should be a give-away for all men of goodwill!
That’s truly a WOWOW disk with an amazing recording quality to-par
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A replica project can rise mixed feelings, but if coming from Dipl. Ing. J.P. Van Vliet it’s something to rise eyebrows and tickle our ears 💫
I wish J.P. the success he deserves 🍀💫🍀
Neumann DST replica
the return of the legend, designed in 1958 and after more than 65 years available again, brand new and hand-built with love for studio playback perfection at home
Neumann - the reference since 1928
The history of professional audio technology is intimately linked to the name Neumann. Founded in Berlin in 1928, the German brand has been synonymous with superlative sound, pioneering research and development, and uncompromising quality. All over the world - in all famous recording studios, radio - and TV studios, concert halls, on film sets and on stage - if the sounds count for anything, Neumann microphones are there. For many decades too, the company was one of the leading manufacturers of disk cutting - and control room systems for the gramophone industry, constantly developing ingenious and innovative techniques. The company also built large professional audio mixing consoles for the broadcasting - and recording industry. Today, Georg Neumann GmbH of Berlin still specializes in the development and manufacturing of first-class microphones as well as studio monitors and - headphones. Last decades some vintage Neumann equipment related to the disk cutting systems are sought-after for high-end audio use at home, most wanted are for instance the Neumann DST stereo MC cartridge, the Neumann PA2 record player, the Neumann WV2 stereo phono tube equalizer amplifier and Neumann BV33 SUT, all designed and released in 1958 but after more than 65 years still state-of-the-art.
Neumann DST
The dream of many serious audiophiles and connoisseurs is to own and use a Neumann DST stereo MC cartridge, it's the Holy Grail and one the most wanted and sought-after vintage stereo MC cartridges. The Neumann DST - DST stands for "Dynamischer Stereo Tonabnehmer" (dynamic stereo cartridge in German) - was the second stereo MC cartridge designed and manufactured by Neumann in 1958 (price at that time DM 125,-- / $ 75,--). After many years of exhaustive research the Neumann DST was used with the innovative Neumann-Teldec lathe and stereo cutting systems to check/playback what the cutting head had put into the grooves of the master disk before it was approved for quantity record production. The Neumann DST was a technical revolution and is still considered the indisputable reference cartridge for perfect sound reproduction. The Neumann DST with the Neumann WV2 stereo phono equalizer amplifier was and still is a state-of-the-art playback and monitor set inseparably linked with the Neumann-Teldec lathe and stereo cutting system achieving sound quality as close as possible to the original studio recording.
The Neumann DST was intended for professional use and not for sales in a mass (consumer) market, because the engineering and precision that went into its manufacture, unavoidable raised the cost of the Neumann DST above the range of most ordinary cartridges that time. Each Neumann DST was manufactured with world famous Neumann craftsmanship, only approximately 40 pcs a month were made by Neumann for a couple of years till 1962 so in total not many were made. The Neumann DST was succeeded in 1962 by the Neumann DST-62.
The reproduction challenge
As mentioned above not many Neumann DST stereo MC cartridges were made by Neumann and even fewer have stood the test of time so to find an original Neumann DST in perfect working - and cosmetic condition is almost a mission impossible and if such an original Neumann DST pops up nowadays the seller(s) usually ask a top price. Inspired by the success of my EMT 139st b reproduction project from 2006 (manufactured and sold world wide more than 125 pcs up till now) a new challenge was born in 2021 to realize a perfect and fully identical replica of the Neumann DST.
After years of meticulous reverse engineering and research of an original Neumann DST, searching for the correct materials and tool making, the manufacturing of the first prototypes did start up at my Neumann DST replica project partner in Belgium. A process of testing, adjusting, fine tuning and listening tests with skilled and experienced audio engineers followed to realize the first Neumann DST replica samples for our personal use. The result of all this effort was that each Neumann DST replica represents a meticulous recreation of the original Neumann DST, amazing its appearance inside and outside, amazing its sound quality and amazing in the equality to its famous legendary ancestor. So, similar to the EMT 139st b replica journey, we decided to start manufacturing a limited series to make this famous and legendary cartridge available for other audiophiles around the globe.
Neumann DST replica
The Neumann DST replica presented here is a meticulously accurate recreation of one of the most legendary stereo MC cartridges of all time. Each Neumann DST replica is fully identical in every detail to the original. The headshell and finger lift are injection molded out of the same type of material as utilized in the original Neumann DST, all other parts are top quality CAD/CAM milled with identical dimensions as used in the original Neumann DST, all these newly made parts are even interchangeable with the 60+ years old originals.Thanks to all this and the use of newly made parts for the magnetic inductor the sound of the Neumann DST replica is spectacular and on par or even better in blind comparison tests with the original Neumann DST. It will deliver the same sonically opulent response that has made the Neumann DST one of the world's most sought-after stereo MC cartridges and considered by many sound engineers as the most beautiful sounding stereo MC cartridge ever produced. The high degree of perfection of the Neumann DST replica is beyond the imagination of the most dedicated audiophiles. The performance is simply unbelievable, it can be rightly said: made for studio playback perfection at home.
Technical specifications Neumann DST replica
- Frequency response 30.......15000 Hz +/- 2 dB
- Output transfer level 0,15 mV/cm/sec
- Channel separation > 25 dB (1 kHz)
- Channel balance within 0.5 dB (1 kHz)
- Source impedance DC 2 x 18 Ohm
- Input matching impedance > 50 Ohm
- Compliance 3.6 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Tracking force 6.5 g
- Stylus material Diamond
- Stylus tip Spherical
- Stylus tip radius 15 µ
- Connection Neumann/EMT]
- Weight 30 g
- Dimensions 20 x 30 x 40 mm
Making of
Gallery images are reflecting a couple of manufacturing moments
Key features:
- Brand new and hand-built with love in very limited numbers, each Neumann DST replica takes more than 40 hours to manufacture
- Headshell and finger lift injection molded out of the exact same type of material as utilized in the original Neumann DST
- Top quality CAD/CAM milled parts with identical dimensions as used in the original Neumann DST
- Top quality polished spherical diamond stylus tip assures minimum record wear
- Every Neumann DST replica is professionally and individually inspected, tested and adjusted to assure fulfillment of the technical specifications
- Before delivery every Neumann DST replica undergoes an extended sound check with an EMT 927 turntable and Neumann WV2 based phono stage
- Technical specifications are equal to or better than the original Neumann DST
- Comes with a unique serial no. in a beautiful sealed tailor-made jewel box with warranty - and operating instructions paper
- Shipment in a water - and dustproof high impact resistance mini Pelican case for safe transport and storage
- Manufactured in compliance with RoHS/CE regulations
- Warranty: 1 year on parts and labor at normal use
Availability: in stock
Introduction price: € 5.900,--
Note 1: Introduction price is valid until 31 December 2025.
Note 2: The mounting of the Neumann DST replica is such that it will only fit playback tonearms with the appropriate Neumann/EMT type tonearm connector and - balancing weight such as the EMT 929, EMT 997, Ortofon RF-229, Ortofon RF-297 and vintage Neumann tonearms.
Note 3: The Neumann DST and Neumann DST replica with the Neumann WV2 provided a phenomenal sound performance and was designed as monitoring system to playback master disks. It's important to understand that the Neumann DST was designed in 1958 for professional use during the cutting process together with Neumann record cutting equipment. Masters are absolute flat lacquer coated aluminum disks used on Neumann record cutting lathes and are also used to produce the molds for pressing commercial vinyl records. The playback of commercial vinyl records is perfectly possible with the Neumann DST replica. However the original 1958 design, due to its low "ground clearance" and low compliance, is not suitable for playback of warped records or records with heavy over-modulation like more recent issues, re-issues and some "audiophile" records. In summary, the Neumann DST replica is not meant to be your only cartridge and play all your stereo records made from 1958 till today. Properly used within its technical limits, the Neumann DST replica will provide a unique musical experience.
Note 4: Warranty conditions; The manufacturer and vendor warrants that every Neumann DST replica stereo MC cartridge is free of defects in material and workmanship. Also they guarantee excellent performance of the Neumann DST replica according to final tests which have been carried out by applying modern test methods. The warranty expires 1 year from date of purchase/invoice. Careful handling and observance of the operating instructions will ensure performance of a long period. The warranty does not cover defects of normal wear & tear, the diamond stylus, or any damages caused by improper handling.
Please note:
All prices are excluding Dutch VAT (21%) and packing/shipping costs, delivery worldwide in professional packing.
VAT free shopping for buyers outside the EU (European Union) and EU buyers with a valid VAT ID nr., EU buyers without a valid VAT ID nr. will be charged for Dutch VAT (21%).
Any fees (local taxes, import duties, etc.) not charged by the seller but related to the sale are the buyer's responsibility.
Payment in advance by bank transfer.
After the recent restoration of my studio and the resulting restored functionality of the Garrardzilla, I had around 50+ records I bought in the last year of forced impossibility of being able to listen to my vinyl records, old and new, I began to dig those A M A Z I N G records from Switzerland, the presents of my dear friend Jürg Schopper’s Triston record label.
These records, unfortunately (or not 😏😇😏) pressed in very limited, ultra-accurate quantities, represent a peak in recorded music art, both musically and technically: the care profusely put in the making of these discs is proportional to the beauty of music and recording.
Jürg was able to save these AGFA PER525 master-tapes from humidity and dust in the vaults of Swiss radios and studios and carefully evaluated in his Sulzach’s headquarters and generously shared with us all.
I suggest every music lover out there to buy and enjoy these true statements in analog art: no gimmicks, no digitally “enhanced” stuffs!
Just a Studer C37 spinning a tape pancake in a church in Sion and stellar musicians playing 💫💎💫
Bravo to Jürg Schopper 🥂💫🥂 and thanks, always 🙏
Here's my report on Notre Dame Music Bar, a fairly new spot in Paris. It's explicitly modeled on the kissa—the JBL speakers, McIntosh amps, even some of the books and magazines on shelves could have come from a venerable Japanese bar or cafe. (I took a photo of the gear list from the menu—more details there.)
I talked to one of the owners and asked about the issue of chatty patrons. He shrugged, and said, "It's France, what can you do?" I've heard similar things from bar owners here and in other countries. It's interesting to see the blend of Japanese and French elements.
The gear, records, and whisky and gin are straight out of the kissa playbook, but the sidewalk patio, the cocktails, and the substantial wine collection are definitely French. While I was there I listened to the whole of Gil Scott Heron's 1971 album, Pieces of a Man. The cocktails were very tasty. Overall, it was a great experience. Highly recommended. — at NOTRE DAME Music Bar.
Thanks to Mark Katz for above review and pictures 💫
… if in Paris, sure worth a visit 👍
Himself and his Strawbs gave us “Grave New World” and many other humble masterpieces…
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Happy Birthday to Manfred Eicher, born 9 July 1943, founder of ECM record label, producer & album selector & designer who continues with crystal clear artistic vision.
“When I listen back to them I know the story of every record which needs a lot of input, concentration & dedication to be made that is clear” said Herr Eicher.
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