DS Audio Adds DS-E3 Optical Cartridge

All Image Credit: DS Audio

DS Audio of Japan continues to expand their optical cartridge line with the addition of  the DS-E3. This latest model is the third generation of their entry level optical cartridge. The new DS-E3 optical cartridge now replaces the earlier DS-E1 that was launched in 2019. Yet, while being modelled on the technologies used in their flagship models, still manages to maintain the same 2019 pricing.

These optical cartridges dispense with the use of the magnetic fields and associated forces used in conventional MC and MM cartridge’s by using an optical system that converts the stylus movement directly into the electrical audio signals.

Independent LEDs and photo-detectors for the left and right channels deliver a significantly increased output voltage while eliminating crosstalk and greatly improving left and right channel separation.

The cartridge’s cantilever mass is further reduced thanks to a new smaller and lighter shading plate, now made of beryllium rather than the previous model’s aluminum light-shielding plate.

A fine elliptical diamond stylus is mounted on a rigid lightweight aluminum cantilever.

Such a design requires its own dedicated phono pre-amp and equalizer. This latest third generation pre-amp design now uses a symmetrical circuit that is designed around an operational amplifier, minimizing component count and signal path lengths. While the voltage supply to the cartridge has now been stabilized. All these changes making this latest phono pre-amplifier almost one third the size of the DS-003 equalizer

Specifications:

• Cartridge:
  • Body material: Aluminum
  • Cantilever: Aluminum
  • Stylus: Elliptical
  • Signal output: Photo-electric conversion
  • Output signal level: 70mV
  • Channel separation: 26dB (@ 1kHz)
  • Weight: 7.7g
• Phono stage/equalizer
  • Inputs: 1 x RCA
  • Outputs: 2 x RCA
  • Rated output voltage: 500mV (@ 1kHz)
  • Output impedance: 120Ω
  • Pre-amp input impedance: 10Ω
  • Dimensions: 26 (w) x 6.9 (h) x 19.5 (d) cm
  • Weight: 1.86kg

MSRP: (Cartridge/Equalizer)

• US: $1,375/$1,375
• UK: £1,270/£1,270
• EU: €1,200/€1,200

For more information visit the DS Audio web site.

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