MAGAZINE
DS Audio has updated and modernized the DS W1 phono cartridge, with which the Japanese manufacturer first introduced the technology of the "light pickup". A diamond with line contact cut, which aims to ensure better groove contact with high freedom from distortion, traces the record. Boron serves as the cantilever material. Two LED light sources and channel-separated photocells raise the output voltage of the pickup from 40 to 70mV.
According to DS Audio, a resonance-reducing shape was chosen for the aluminum housing of the pickup. All of these measures – together with the also revised, purely analog Phono EQ unit belonging to the system – are supposed to deliver improved signal-to-noise ratios as well as higher dynamics and finer resolution. The EQ unit has, among other things, capacitors totaling 12 x 56,000 μF, which are available for supplying power.
The circuit boards, all of which are equipped with selected components, now have a thickness of 2.0mm. At the same time, the copper thickness of the conductors was increased from 35μ to 70μ. The low frequency range can be trimmed with a 4-stage filter. Connecting the turntable is done via RCA, on the output side a pair of RCA and XLR jacks each are offered.
The DS W3, which is reminiscent of DS Audio's debut model because of its red glowing LED, is available now in Germany.
MSRP in Germany:
€14,000 (DS-W3 complete system)
€6,000 (DS-W3 phono cartridge only)
