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.
Continue reading Optical cartridges ‘go mainstream”: What Hi-Fi reviews the DS Audio DS-003
Ken Kessler is no stranger to Japanese optical phono cartridge pioneer DS Audio, having reviewed almost the company’s entire range. However, the new ‘semi flagship’ Master 3 model proves to be “an even bigger disruptor than the [flagship] Grand Master EX”… an “event component” that’s “as close to flawless as any cartridge I’ve heard.” Continue reading “A blessed miracle”: Ken Kessler is both shaken and stirred by DS Audio’s “close to flawless” Master 3 optical cartridge
PRESS RELEASE: DS Audio’s optical phono cartridges have earned worldwide acclaim for their incredibly low noise floor and astonishing sonic performance. Now, designer Tetsuaki Aoyagi has turned his attention to creating the best possible phono cable for the ultimate optical cartridge performance.
Japanese innovators DS Audio launched their first optical phono cartridge onto the worldwide hi-fi stage back in 2013. Since then, designer Tetsuaki Aoyagi has continued to advance and refine the state of the art, achieving level after level of ground-breaking – and arguably peerless – sonic performance.
PRESS RELEASE: DS Audio’s Master 1 optical cartridge was originally launched as the brand’s flagship model in 2016. Since then, flagship status has been justifiably captured by the peerless Grand Master and Grand Master Extreme models, featuring DS Audio’s ‘third generation’ of optical cartridge technology. Now, the Master 3 brings the brand’s third generation features down a price point, bestowing the new Master 3 with ‘semi flagship’ status.
‘Game-changer’ is something of an over-used term, but in this case it’s completely justified. DS Audio’s new flagship optical cartridge “changes the analog game in profound ways,” says US audio magazine The Absolute Sound, and is “one of the, if not the, best cartridges extant.”
“How to upgrade the ‘ultimate’ optical pickup?” ponders Ken Kessler in the October issue of Hi-Fi News. DS Audio’s Grand Master is already peerless in both technology and sonic performance and yet, with a single change, designer Tetsuaki Aoyagi has once again upped his own game.
PRESS RELEASE: DS Audio’s multi-award winning Grand Master optical phono cartridge has been described as being among the world’s best, possibly even the best, ever heard. Now, DS Audio has created an even higher-performance option, the Grand Master Extreme, which combines a stylus and cantilever crafted from a single diamond.
Continue reading Optical cartridge pioneer DS Audio releases new top-of-range Grand Master Extreme
PRESS RELEASE: The eighth edition of The North West Audio Show will take place on the 17th and 18th June 2023 at the fabulous De Vere Estate, Cranage in Cheshire.
Sound Fowndations, exclusive UK distributor of selected world-class, high-end audio brands and products, will be at the event to exhibit DS Audio’s pioneering optical phono cartridges, Clearaudio’s superb analogue components, and Furutech’s high-performance cables and accessories.
Is there an award that DS Audio’s incredible-sounding and totally unique optical cartridges haven’t won? Three models have earned a trio of further awards from US magazine The Absolute Sound, alongside the ION-001 Ionizer. Continue reading Four TAS Editors’ Choice Awards for DS Audio’s optical cartridges and innovative accessories
David Denyer PR | The hi-fi specialist 