DS Audio New DS-W3 Cartridge

All Image Credit: DS Audio

DS Audio has introduced the DS-W3, a third-generation optical cartridge to replace the DS-W2. This new W series reference cartridge employs various “trickle down” technologies and developments employed in the DS Audio flagship Grand Master. In particular borrowing from its comprehensively re-engineered optical 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. A greatly improved S/N ratio when compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.

The shading plate is now 99.9% pure beryllium instead of aluminum, and the new design allows for a smaller unit bringing the weight down by 50% from 1.56mg to 0.74mg.

The DS-W3 cartridge features a boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge body is made from aluminum and the structure has been designed to provide maximum rigidity. The W3 now uses internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second generation cartridges thereby reducing its impedance.

The DS-W3 Equalizer & Pre-Amp

Like all optical cartridges the DS-W3 requires its own equaliser/phono stage, which has also been upgraded to support the cartridges improved third-generation design.

All internal components have been optimized for the new cartridge technologies. The circuit board thickness has increased from 1.6mm to 2.0mm alongside the copper tracks doubling from 35µm to 70µm, ensuring effortless system matching, the equaliser offers unbalanced and balanced outputs with four different low-frequency roll-off points.

Technical Specifications: