Category Archives: DS Audio

All press releases, DS Audio, Sound Fowndations

Optical cartridge pioneer DS Audio upgrades ground-breaking DS-W1 model to create new DS-W2

PRESS RELEASE

Four years ago, Japanese company DS Audio broke new ground with the world’s only optical phono cartridge, borrowing technology developed and honed in various scientific, industrial and medical applications. The company’s debut model, the DS-001, was only released in its native Japan but the overwhelming response it received soon led to a second model, the DS-W1, and to worldwide distribution. Since then, the range has grown with the addition of the flagship DS Master 1 and entry-level DS-002 models.

The new DS-W2 is a direct replacement for the DS-W1 which will now be phased out. It offers significant design enhancements over its predecessor. The DS-W2 now occupies the middle position in the company’s range of optical phono cartridges, delivering improved performance over the entry level DS-002 and incorporating an appealing amount of trickle-down technology from the flagship Master 1.

Continue reading Optical cartridge pioneer DS Audio upgrades ground-breaking DS-W1 model to create new DS-W2 →

Aesthetix, Alpha Design Labs (ADL), Audio Analogue, CAD, Clearaudio, DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Exposure Electronics, Furutech, Kronos Audio, Magnepan, Open reel tape reviews & ramblings, Raidho, Scansonic HD, van den Hul

High End highlights: some hot happenings to check out at the Munich Show this weekend

It’s that time of year again folks… when hi-fi’s greatest hitters from around the globe flock to the world’s largest audio exhibition. Yes music lovers, High End Munich 2018 is almost upon us. So, just before I get packing, here are some of the highlights I’ll be heading for.

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DDPR news & musings, Decent Audio, DS Audio, Magnepan, Sound Fowndations, van den Hul

Flagship Magnepan loudspeaker and phono cartridges from DS Audio & van den Hul are The Absolute Sound’s Products of the Year 2017

The Absolute Sound’s Product
of the Year Awards are the US-based magazine’s the most exclusive and prestigious honours, paying tribute to the very best components of the previous year. The award-winners are an elite bunch, since only one or two products are selected each year in just a handful of product categories.
Continue reading Flagship Magnepan loudspeaker and phono cartridges from DS Audio & van den Hul are The Absolute Sound’s Products of the Year 2017 →

DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Sound Fowndations

“Phenomenal”: Hi-Fi News’ Ken Kessler is positively shocked by the DS Audio Master 1 optical phono cartridge

DS Audio’s Master 1 optical phono cartridge is among the more expensive models that Hi-Fi News has tested. But it wasn’t the price that shocked reviewer Ken Kessler, who found himself “staying up until 3am for six nights in a row, playing in excess of 50 LPs, rediscovering old favourites as well as undergoing revelations with discs I had taken for granted.”
Continue reading “Phenomenal”: Hi-Fi News’ Ken Kessler is positively shocked by the DS Audio Master 1 optical phono cartridge →

Audio Analogue, DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Exposure Electronics, Kronos Audio, Raidho

Hi-Fi News Yearbook: the mighty fine kit that moved us in 2017

The festive season is upon us, which can only mean one thing. No, not Slade and Greg Lake playing on repeat day after day in Sainsbury’s (not just that anyway). ‘Tis time, audiophiles and music lovers, for the annual Hi-Fi News Yearbook with its round-up of “the hardware that inspired our senses and the music that stirred our souls throughout 2017”. So grab a mince pie, pull up a chair by the fire and join me in celebrating some of the 65+ goodies reviewed in this special issue.
Continue reading Hi-Fi News Yearbook: the mighty fine kit that moved us in 2017 →

DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Gamut, Sound Fowndations

Gamut amplifier and DS Audio phono cartridge scoop The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Awards 2017

The September issue of US-based audio magazine The Absolute Sound is out now, revealing winners of the Golden Ear Awards for 2017. Published annually, the Awards give The Absolute Sound’s staff and freelance writers the opportunity to choose those components that are “truly great” and “that stand out from the competition”.

Among the worthy winners in 2017 are Gamut Audio’s M250i mono power amp and DS Audio’s DS 002 optical phono cartridge.
Continue reading Gamut amplifier and DS Audio phono cartridge scoop The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Awards 2017 →

DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Sound Fowndations

“Another triumph”: Ken Kessler is enchanted by DS Audio’s new ‘baby’ DS 002 optical cartridge in his June Hi-Fi News review

“DS Audio enjoyed instant impact since its birth five years ago for having the sheer guts to release a new (or forgotten) cartridge technology in the post-vinyl era,” writes Ken Kessler in the June issue of Hi-Fi News. Having been charmed by the company’s original  DS-W1 model, what will Kessler make of the new entry-level ‘baby’ DS 002?

Continue reading “Another triumph”: Ken Kessler is enchanted by DS Audio’s new ‘baby’ DS 002 optical cartridge in his June Hi-Fi News review →

All press releases, DS Audio, Sound Fowndations

Optical cartridge pioneer DS Audio launches new entry level DS 002

PRESS RELEASE

In 2013 DS Audio pioneered the world’s only optical phono cartridge, the DS-W1, attracting rave reviews from the worldwide audiophile press. A further-advanced flagship model, the Master 1, followed in 2016. Now, the company is launching a new entry level design: the DS 002, drawing on innovations from the Master 1 while offering a more affordable way in to optical cartridge technology.

Continue reading Optical cartridge pioneer DS Audio launches new entry level DS 002 →

DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, IsoTek, Sound Fowndations

DS-Audio & IsoTek: worthy winners of Hi-Fi Plus ‘Product of the Year’ Awards

Well, it’s that time of year again – when we sit back with a glass of something mulled and mull over the year’s highs and lows. To say that it’s been an ‘interesting’ year would be something of an understatement and so perhaps it’s best to focus our attention firmly on the world of hi-fi, where most news tends to be good news and hence where 2016 can go down as a year of positive change and innovation.

The December issue of Hi-Fi Plus magazine does just that, highlighting the best products of 2016 and rewarding those that stand out among them in the magazine’s annual ‘Product of the Year’ Awards.

Continue reading DS-Audio & IsoTek: worthy winners of Hi-Fi Plus ‘Product of the Year’ Awards →