DS Audio DS 003 Optical Cartridge with Phono Stage/Equalizer

Description

Introducing the DS Audio DS 003 Optical Cartridge System

DS Audio elevates the sound of vinyl playback with their latest optical cartridge set. This pure analog playback system implements the new “dual-mono” generator from their flagship Grand Master cartridge, resulting in enhanced clarity, improved imaging, and greater musical involvement.  

Incredibly low effective mass -

With the new dual-mono optical generator, the shading plate is redesigned for optimal position and agility. Using 99.9% beryllium instead of aluminum found in previous designs, the weight is significantly reduced by 50%. This is less than 1/10th of the mass found in the moving coil of a typical MC cartridge. This incredibly low effective mass promotes even greater trackability and reduced resonance, further improving the advantages of DS Audio optical cartridges.

Line contact stylus, ultra-rigid body design, and improved internal wiring-

The DS 003 cartridge features a line contact diamond stylus with an aluminum cantilever. The cartridge body is machined of A5052 aluminum and the body structure is designed for maximum rigidity. The DS 003 internal wiring is 1.6 times thicker than in the second-generation optical cartridges, reducing resistance for improved signal flow.

An improved equalizer for the DS 003 cartridge -

New circuitry and casework for the 003 equalizers create the perfect mate for the 003 cartridges. Echoing the industrial design of the Grand Master eq, the 003 eq’s sculptural styling reflects the 3rd generation from DS Audio. Discrete circuitry with critical signal paths wired point-to-point assures that the 3rd generation 003 optical cartridge generator performs to its optimal level.

Compared to the DS 002 equalizer, the thickness of the circuit board has been increased from 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm for greater vibration control. For enhanced conductivity, the thickness of the copper foil on these new circuit boards has been increased from 35 μ to 70 μ and they are populated with new film capacitors. The DS 003 equalizer provides four different roll-off curves for the low-frequency range, allowing you to optimize bass response to best match your system and listening room.

DS Audio’s technology allows unmatched performance -

The DS 003 optical phono cartridge brings the 3rd generation of optical cartridge sound, as found in the Grand Master cartridge, to a new level of performance and price.

The DS 003 cartridge and 003 phono stage are sold as a set and are a perfectly matched pair. They are compatible with all DS Audio optical cartridges and equalizers providing many choices and upgrades for the ultimate in pure analog vinyl enjoyment.

REVIEWS:

The Absolute Sound: Golden Ear Awaard 2022 - "The DS 003 opens the door—and opens it wide—to a new world of noise-free, tape-like playback, with bass response and treble sweetness and bloom that you could previously only get with reel-to-reel. Another sure-fire nominee for a 2022 TAS Product of the Year Award." - Jonathan Valin

The Absolute Sound: "This is just a marvelous transducer. It will certainly be my nominee for TAS Phono Cartridge of the Year." - Jonathan Valin

Full Review

HiFi News: "...the astonishing DS 003 will still blow your mind." - Ken Kessler

Full Review

SoundStage!: "I hereby proclaim the DS 003 to be an astonishing value. I’ve had a couple of pieces of extremely expensive analog equipment in my system and really, I haven’t heard any of them top the sound quality of the DS 003 System."

"As the review period progressed, I became more and more enamored, more and more astonished with how much resolution the DS Audio system dredged from records that I thought I knew so well." - Jason Thorpe

Full Review
 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Output 70mV (1kHz) (at Cartridge output)
Channel Separation 27dB or greater
Stylus Pressure 2.0- 2.2 grams (2.1 grams is recommended)
Cantilever Aluminum
Stylus Line Contact
Weight 7.7g
Body Material Aluminum
Warranty 1 year