The message that optical phono cartridge technology can offer clear advantages over moving magnet and moving coil designs is finally ‘crossing the border’ from high-end hi-fi to more mainstream audio media, as What Hi-Fi discovers the superb performance of DS Audio’s DS-003.

For more than 70 years, moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) phono cartridges have dominated the world of vinyl playback, so much so that you’d be forgiven for thinking that there were no other options or technologies. But then, in 2013, came DS Audio and the optical cartridge. While the company wasn’t the first to use the technology, it was the first to do so successfully in both technical and commercial terms.

Since the launch of it’s first model, the Japanese company has not only gained worldwide renown but has also continued to push optical phono cartridge technology ever further, launching an impressive series of multi-award winning products along the way.

DS Audio’s cartridges have been hailed by reviewers as being among the best, if not the best ever heard. Their performance is world-leading and so, understandably, while the reviews and awards have stacked up in the high-end audio press, the range has received rather less coverage in the more mainstream publications. Until now, that is.

In its recent review, What Hi-Fi notes the clear advantages of DS Audio’s optical design, and then puts the DS-003 model to the test. The conclusions are unequivocal. What’s more, they leave the reviewers wondering, since the DS-003 is some way below DS Audio’s top-of-range models, how much better can optical cartridges get?

You can read the review in full online at www.whathifi.com/reviews/ds-audio-ds-003

Discover more about DS Audio’s optical cartridges and related accessories at https://ds-audio-w.biz and track down your nearest specialist retailer via UK distributor http://www.soundfowndations.co.uk