$5,000.00

Optical Phono Cartridge. Requires DS Audio Phono Preamplifier.

If you have a trade-in, request Trade-in Price.
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Product Description

The DS Audio DS W3 Cartridge system is available for sale at Overture in Sales Tax-Free Delaware. We welcome your Trade-In!

  • We have further developed the optical cartridge system by implementing independent LEDs and photo-detectors for the left and right channels.
  • The result is that the cartridge output voltage is dramatically increased from 40mV to 70mV (a 75% increase) and channel separation is greatly improved

DS-W3 optical cartridge system

The new DS-W3 optical cartridge system has been optimized, by implementing an independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels. As a result, the cartridge output voltage has greatly increased from 40mV to 70mV. Despite this dramatic increase in output, the excellent signal-to-noise ratio that DS Audio optical cartridges are renowned for has not been compromised. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

The DS-W3 cartridge offers a greatly improved S/N ratio when compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity. In addition to this, the new independent design of the DS-W3 cartridge has made it possible to eliminate crosstalk, greatly improving left and right channel separation (in particular the high-frequency separation has improved by 10dB in comparison to its DS Audio forebears.)

Independent left and right channel LEDs

The implementation of independent left and right channel LEDs allows for the positioning of the optical system to be optimized as well as necessitating the use of a new shading plate that has been significantly reduced in size compared to our earlier designs. In addition to this reduction in size, the material used to produce the shading plate has changed from aluminum (as used in the second generation cartridges) to 99.9% pure beryllium.

As a result of this, we succeeded in reducing the weight of the shading plate by more than 50%, from 1.56mg to 0.74 mg. This is less than 1/10th of the mass when compared to the core and coil system found in a typical MC (moving coil) cartridge and further improves one of the key advantages of DS Audio’s optical cartridge technology, which is an incredibly low effective mass.

The DS-W3 cartridge features the combination of a boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge is made of aluminum and the body structure has been designed in such a way as to promote maximum rigidity. In addition to these features, the DS-W3 utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second-generation cartridges in order to reduce impedance.

Signal Output Phono-electric Conversion
Output Level 70mV (1 kHz) at Cartridge output
Channel Separation 27dB and more (1 kHz)
Tracking Force 1.85g – 2.05 g (1.95g is Recommended)
Cantilever Boron
Stylus Type Line Contact Stylus
Weight 7.9g
Body Material Aluminum

Brand

DS Audio

Bring the best in high-end audio into your home with DS Audio’s complete line of phono cartridges, phono stages, and hi-fi accessories. Its mission is to craft the future of analogue music so everyone can experience music that makes their life richer. When it comes to innovation, DS audio takes an aggressive approach to product development, knowing that perfection is only possible without fear of failure.

Headquartered in Japan, the company manufactures optical cartridges, stabilizers, vinyl ionizers, and stylus cleaners. At the heart of the company's commitment to analogue sound are their five optical cartridge models: Grand Master, DS Master 1, DSW3, DS 003, and DSE1.

Voted a Golden Ear award winner in 2021, the Grand Master model is often lauded for its transparency, resolution and broad soundstage. Experience the best in hi-fi sound with 70 mv output voltage, improved S/N ratio, and a diamond cantilever for maximum rigidity. Listeners just getting started on their audiophile journey can opt for the more value-add DS 003 featuring a lot of the Grand Master technology and an aluminum cantilever that results in more vibrant sound.

Overture is one of the leading experts in the country when it comes to high-end audio and home theaters. As a proud DS Audio phono cartridge dealer, we’ll help you find the best audio products for your home audio setup. Interested in purchasing a new DS Audio component? You can trade-in any component towards a DS Audio product by filling out Overture’s Trade-In Form.