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DS Audio Optical Cartridge


Optical cartridges

DS Audio is a Japanese R&D company experienced in laser and infra-red LED optical technology. They have developed a radically new approach to the phono cartridge based on an optical system that does away with moving coils and moving magnets. It uses an optical system that converts the stylus/cantilever movement into audio signals. This completely eliminates electromagnetic and frictional forces that are endemic in traditional MM and MC designed cartridges.


Traditional cartridges rely on magnets or coils to generate an electrical signal. The optical cartridge uses a beam of LED light to detect cantilever movement. The vibrations from the stylus reading the groove are transferred to a wand that creates shadow movements onto an optical detector screen. These are then converted as electrical signals transferred to the equaliser, the equivalent of a phono stage for conventional cartridges.


With coils, magnets and magnetic fields removed, the cantilever system is significantly lighter and more agile making it much faster in its response to groove undulations. The signal produced from optical screen is also much more linear making equalisation a simpler and easier electronic process. The result is a faster, more linear and most natural sound from vinyl LPs than with electromagnetic devices.


All DS Audio cartridges look like a conventional cartridge. They have solid aluminium bodies, the stiffness of the material used varying between models. The DS -E1 and DS-003 have aluminium cantilever and the DS-W2 a boron cantilever. The DS-E1 has an elliptical diamond stylus; the DS-003 and DS-W2 are tipped with a Shibata stylus. The DS-Master1 uses a sapphire cantilever and micro ridge shaped stylus.


They are installed in a tone arm exactly as you would any cartridge to establish geometry, arm height and playing weight. Because the output is generated optically, via infra-red LED, it requires power and this is fed from the supplied custom phono equaliser via the green and blue pins. The supplied equaliser has to be used as these optical cartridges cannot be used with conventional phono stages.


The Equalisers are housed in substantial aluminium cases, a high quality item in themselves. All equalisers include the option of a subsonic filter to cope with excessive bass frequencies that can exist on some LPs, or if the LP is substantially warped.


The equaliser for the DS Master 1 is massive and weighs 24 kg. This is due to its discrete dual mono analogue circuitry with three dedicated power supplies, and large banks of capacitors. It also features three separate low frequency cut off points, each accessed by either single ended RCA or balanced outputs.


The most important difference is the sound. From first listening the major impression is how natural these cartridges are, and how different from conventional MC or MM cartridges. The background noise level is so low that transparency was exceptional. The air and space in the soundstage amongst the best – if not the best - we have heard. Dynamics sweeps such as a full orchestra going from soft to loud, tympani and brass, sounded so fast and so lifelike. Strings were sweet and rich in tone, just like in a concert hall, without any hint of “screech”. By sweet this does not mean overly warm through colouration. Piano notes have decays and detail that are resolved easily which are not so obvious when heard with conventional MC cartridges, except from perhaps some of the most expensive models. Absolutely no hint of hifi artifice.


The entry model product called the DS E1. This features a precision machined aluminium body similar to those in the other DS Audio cartridges. The wire suspension system is also the same as in all other models. It has an aluminium cantilever with an elliptical stylus. The DS E1 equaliser has an amplifier at the heart of its circuit greatly reducing the number of components required. Hence the casework is more compact, around 1/3 the size of the DS-003 equaliser.

The DS-002 model has been recently replaced by the DS-003. This is completely new design. A comprehensively redesigned third generation optical system that offer significant improvements and benefits. It incorporates independent LED and photo detectors for left and right channels. This has resulted in a greater output voltage, a 75% increase, and has greatly improved channel separation. The DS-003 also has a greatly improved S/N ratio compared even to already low noise floor of the other models. The total result of which gives improved clarity and resolution of the finer details.


The aluminium cantilever has improved rigidity and incorporates and line contact stylus. The internal wiring is 1.6 thicker to reduce impedance.


For those serious about obtaining the most tonally correct, most natural sound from their LPs, whatever the music genre preferred, these cartridges should be auditioned. It is a radically different approach to vinyl replay and it comes with its own phono equaliser and power supply.

DS-E1 Optical Cartridge and Equaliser £2495
DS-003 Optical Cartridge and Equaliser £5995
DS-W3 Optical Cartridge and Equaliser £12995 NEW
DS-Master 1 Optical Cartridge and Equaliser £22495

DS Grand Master Optical Cartridge and Equaliser £53995


DS Audio now offer the sale of their cartridges and equalisers separately allowing customers to choose whichever combination suits them.


Optical Cartridges only

DS-E1 £1350
DS-003 £3250
DS-W3 £4995
NEW
DS Mast
er 1 £9495

Grand Master £15995


Equaliser only

DS-E1 equaliser £1350
DS-003 equaliser £3495
DS-W2 equaliser £9495
NEW
DS Master 1 equaliser
£14495

Grand Mater equaliser £42995


Trade-in opportunities exist for those wishing to upgrade either their DS-Audio cartridge or Equaliser, or total package. DS Audio also offer a cantilever and repair service for damaged cartridges.

Please phone or email us for details.

DS E1

DS-002

DS-W2

DS Master1

DS-0003

I am delighted with the DS-W1. I have had some time to set it up and listen to it now and have also had two audiophile friends over to listen. All three of us think it presents a unique sound which is the best we have heard in almost every way; it almost requires a re-tuning of the ear it is so different. I had demoed a strain gauge before and I believe this surpasses that in sound and technology. The more I listen to the DS-W1 the more impressed I am. The number one unique and abiding quality is foot tappingly good timing and speed - you would think that was a given but it really isn’t and I don’t believe anything I have ever heard comes close this. It is a bargain!

Mr C G Bedfordshire, UK

The DS-W1’s astonishing speed and unfettered dynamics (micro and macro) give it that breath of intimacy that brings music and musicians vividly to life… Never have I heard a cartridge that can capture instrumental textures or vocal nuance….as naturally and effortlessly as this.

Roy Gregory, HiFi Plus issue 136.

I have never heard such wonderful sound. Just speechless! Yes, I was shocked at the incredible dynamic sweeps, the blackness of the back ground and the speed of the transients.

Ken Kessler, HiFi News September 2015


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