DS Audio DS-W3 Reference Optical Cartridge with Phono Stage/Equalizer

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Description

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

Announcing a new model in their Reference Series

Independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels -

The new DS-W3 optical cartridge system has been optimized, by implementing an independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels. As a result the cartridge output voltage has greatly increased from 40mV to 70mV. The DS-W3 cartridge offers a greatly improved S/N ratio when compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.

Weight of shading plate reduced by more than 50% -

The implementation of independent left and right channel LED’ s allows for the positioning of the optical system to be optimized as well as necessitating the use of a new shading plate that has been significantly reduced in size compared to our earlier designs. In addition to this reduction in size, the material used to produce the shading plate has changed from aluminium (as used in the second generation cartridges) to 99.9% pure beryllium.

Boron cantilever & Aluminum body -

The DS-W3 cartridge features the combination of an boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge body is made by aluminum and the structure has been designed in such a way as to promote maximum rigidity. In addition to these features, the DS-W3 utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second generation cartridges in order to

Equalizer -

New, thicker circuit board with heavier copper traces -

Compared to the DS-W2 equalizer, the thickness of the circuit board has been changed from 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, and the thickness of the copper foil has been changed from 35µ to 70µ.Components are also optimized for third-generation cartridges.In addition, the DS-W3 equalizer has four different low-frequency outputs to choose from. The DS-W3 equalizer has both unbalanced and balanced outputs, so you can choose the output that best matches your system.

Hand-made in Japan circuit board -

Every component part used in our products is tested and evaluated by our expert Japanese technicians.
In addition to using a specially printed circuit board, twist-connection of the component legs is further evidence of DS Audio’ s excellent attention to detail.
Each and every product is hand-made and quality assured by our skilled engineers.

SPECIFICATIONS:

DS-W2 Optical Cartridge:

Signal output Photo-electric Conversion

Channel separation: 27db more (1kHz)

Weight: 7.9g

Output signal level: 70mV more

Cantilever: Boron

Body material: Aluminum

Stylus: Line contact

DS-W3 Equalizer for Optical Cartridge:

Output voltage: 500mV(1kHz)

Output impedance: RCA 120Ω XLR 600Ω

Pre amp input impedance:More than 10kΩ

Input terminal: RCA terminal

Output terminals: RCA terminal×2, XLR terminal×2

Size: W45cm×H12cm×D435cm

Weight: 13.5kg

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DS Audio DS-W3 Reference Optical Cartridge with Phono Stage/Equalizer

Add Recommended Accessories

Description

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

Announcing a new model in their Reference Series

Independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels -

The new DS-W3 optical cartridge system has been optimized, by implementing an independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels. As a result the cartridge output voltage has greatly increased from 40mV to 70mV. The DS-W3 cartridge offers a greatly improved S/N ratio when compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.

Weight of shading plate reduced by more than 50% -

The implementation of independent left and right channel LED’ s allows for the positioning of the optical system to be optimized as well as necessitating the use of a new shading plate that has been significantly reduced in size compared to our earlier designs. In addition to this reduction in size, the material used to produce the shading plate has changed from aluminium (as used in the second generation cartridges) to 99.9% pure beryllium.

Boron cantilever & Aluminum body -

The DS-W3 cartridge features the combination of an boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge body is made by aluminum and the structure has been designed in such a way as to promote maximum rigidity. In addition to these features, the DS-W3 utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second generation cartridges in order to

Equalizer -

New, thicker circuit board with heavier copper traces -

Compared to the DS-W2 equalizer, the thickness of the circuit board has been changed from 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, and the thickness of the copper foil has been changed from 35µ to 70µ.Components are also optimized for third-generation cartridges.In addition, the DS-W3 equalizer has four different low-frequency outputs to choose from. The DS-W3 equalizer has both unbalanced and balanced outputs, so you can choose the output that best matches your system.

Hand-made in Japan circuit board -

Every component part used in our products is tested and evaluated by our expert Japanese technicians.
In addition to using a specially printed circuit board, twist-connection of the component legs is further evidence of DS Audio’ s excellent attention to detail.
Each and every product is hand-made and quality assured by our skilled engineers.

SPECIFICATIONS:

DS-W2 Optical Cartridge:

Signal output Photo-electric Conversion

Channel separation: 27db more (1kHz)

Weight: 7.9g

Output signal level: 70mV more

Cantilever: Boron

Body material: Aluminum

Stylus: Line contact

DS-W3 Equalizer for Optical Cartridge:

Output voltage: 500mV(1kHz)

Output impedance: RCA 120Ω XLR 600Ω

Pre amp input impedance:More than 10kΩ

Input terminal: RCA terminal

Output terminals: RCA terminal×2, XLR terminal×2

Size: W45cm×H12cm×D435cm

Weight: 13.5kg

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DS Audio DS-W3 Reference Optical Cartridge with Phono Stage/Equalizer

Description

Announcing a new model in their Reference Series

Product Ratings

Choose How Many Stars (5 Being the best)

Description

Announcing a new model in their Reference Series

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