When Hupfeld offered the DEA reproduction system from 1907, Hupfeld was already able to draw on the Phonoliszt or Phonola artist recordings that had been recorded since at least 1905. Although it is unclear what the recording equipment was like, the result is that the DEA reel is an excellent reproduction reel. Analyses clearly show that the Phonola rolls and the DEA rolls contain exactly the same hand play. We suspect that Hupfeld had a DEA recorder from the very beginning, i.e. around 1904, but not a marketable reproduction piano. A dilemma, as this meant that Welte could never be caught up with as the market leader in the field of reproduction pianos.
The DEA music rolls are unusually wide at 40.5 cm - the widest reproduction roll. These original music rolls are very rare to find - especially as there are very few playable DEA instruments left. The paper (with Hupfeld watermark), spool and pages are very similar to those of the phonola music rolls. The mostly wine-red boxes bear a label on the front with the roll number, the title and the name of the pianist. The same label can also be found on the music roll - often next to a photo of the pianist. This roll also runs from bottom to top. The date of manufacture is usually written at the beginning of the roll on the back. There is a hook at the beginning of the roll to hang it on the take-up reel.
