DS Audio DS003 (Image Credit: DS Audio)
DS Audio DS003 (Image Credit: DS Audio)

Affordable Optical Pickup with High End Technology

New DS Audio Cartridge "DS003" Profits from the "Grand Master"

Thanks to the design borrowed from the largest model – the incredibly expensive "Grand Master" – the significantly less expensive "DS003" now also benefits from the improved technology with channel-separated photo sensor technology and a weight-reduced shading element.

The so-called "shading plate" in the DS003 consists of 99.9% pure beryllium. The moving mass has also been reduced by 50% from 1.56 to 0.74 milligrams, compared to the previous generation. Because the output voltage of the pickup was increased from 40 to 70mV at the same time, the DS003 is extremely efficient. In combination with the accompanying Phono EQ unit, excellent signal-to-noise ratioes are said to be possible, aiming to especially result in increased dynamics and fine resolution.

The inner conductors of the DS003 have an approximately 1.6 times larger cross-section compared to its predecessor, which is supposed to lead to an improved signal flow. The housing of the pickup is made of the beneficial aluminum alloy A5052 and adapts the resonance-reducing design of the Grand Master, including the vertically positioned light element. As phono equalizer and voltage supplier, the pickup with a "line contact" stylus is served by a continuously analog EQ unit, which carries the characteristic design language of the top model.

All internally installed circuit boards have a thickness of 2 millimeters, which is a further improvement over the 1.6 millimeter thick circuit boards found in the previous version. The increase in copper thickness from 35μ to 70μ is also said to be advantageous in terms of sound. For the particularly demanding record listener, DS Audio gave the DS003 EQ unit a total of four selectable cuttoffs of the low frequency range. Thus, the optimal integration into any hi-fi system is supposed to be ensured.

The DS003, which is also visually reminiscent of the large DS Audio pickup due to its elaborate housing shape, is expected to be available in Germany starting in July at selected dealers for 5,500 euros (complete system including cartridge and EQ unit).

Image Gallery

DS Audio DS003 Cartridge
2 Bilder
DS Audio DS003 EQ-Unit
Back

Latest News

New speakers Wharfedale Dovedale

Dovedale: New Flagship for Wharfedale Heritage Series

The retro speaker series "Heritage" from British manufacturer… Read more

Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest 2023 Including Enjoy the Music.com Press Part

Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest 2023 Including Enjoy the Music.com Press Party

The Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest will host its 34th edition… Read more

Suesskind Audio Kronos MK 2

New Kronos MK2 Speakers from Suesskind Audio

German hi-fi-legend Joachim Gerhard wants to prove his skill once… Read more

Yamaha Wireless Earbuds TW-E3C

TW-E3C: New Earbud Generation by Yamaha

Yamaha presents the third generation of their Bluetooth "True… Read more

The new Sonos Era 300

Two New Smart Speakers from Sonos: Era 300 & Era 100

Sonos presents two new smart speakers; while the Era 300 is… Read more

Physical music revenues in the U.S. 2020-2022, showing the growth of vinyl.

RIAA Report 2022: More Vinyl LPs than CDs sold in the U.S.

Since 2020, the U.S. music industry has made more revenue with… Read more


Top-Articles from the archive

STEREO Magazine Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss a new issue anymore!

Register now