DS Audio’s optical phono cartridges “have captivated the high-end since arriving in 2015” and “imitators have yet to emerge,” notes Kessler. Perhaps because the brand “has the very real advantage of being in the wing of a company with long experience in related optical devices.” 

And yet, despite holding an effective monopoly in optical cartirdges, DS Audio has never ceased innovating and pushing the technology forward. Its ‘third generation’ of optical cartridges was launched in 2020 with the flagship Grand Master, from which the technology has now trickled down to the ‘W’ model to create the new DS-W3 reviewed here, replacing the previous DS-W2.

“Visually this new cartridge looks like its siblings, until you switch on the energiser. An LED strip glows a fiery red… This hue, not dissimilar to that of a Ferrari, promises performance…” writes Kessler.

“Listening to Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 with a stellar lineup including Jeff Beck, Buddy guy, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo and of course Slowhand himself, I could only marvel at the way the cartridge emphatically recreated the sound of each guitar, Fenders vs. Gibsons, solid-bodied vs. semi or acoustic.”

“Sailing through the mono tracks on the Beatles’ The Christmas Records also proved revelatory. These remastered transfers from what were previously only available on low-fi flexi-discs, a lone compilation LP from 1969, also of so-so sound quality, or via bootlegs which were needle-drops of either, were elevated to another level entirely by DS Audio’s [DS-W3 cartridge and equalizer] duo …. I am dazzled”

“DS Audio has again created an upgrade which – rather than confound previous owners – increases the number of choices while reinforcing the avoidance of obsolescence.”

The review is published in the December issue of Hi-Fi News. You can also view / download a copy here (image right):

Discover more about the DS Audio DS-W3 optical cartridge at ds-audio-w.biz. To locate your nearest dealer contact UK distributor www.soundfowndations.co.uk