DS AUDIO REPLACES MASTER 1 OPTICAL CARTRIDGE  WITH NEW THIRD GENERATION MASTER 3

The new DS Audio Master 3 Optical Cartridge benefits from the Japanese HiFi brand’s third generation of optical technology.

DS Audio’s Master 1 optical cartridge was originally launched as the brand’s flagship model in 2016. Since then, flagship status has been taken by the 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, creating the new DS Audio Master 3 Optical Cartridge.

OPTICAL SYSTEM

DS Audio’s optical cartridges dispense with the usual moving magnet and moving coil designs and instead use an optical system that converts stylus/cantilever movement into audio signals. This eliminates the electromagnetic forces that are found in traditional MM and MC designs,

DS AUDIO MASTER 3 OPTICAL CARTRIDGE

The new ‘third generation’ Master 3 optical cartridge system has been comprehensively re-engineered, drawing on technology developed for the flagship Grand Master.

Independent LEDs and photo-detectors for the left and right channels deliver an increased output voltage: now 70mV compared with the Master 1’s 40mV. This new independent design has also improved left and right channel separation. At the same time, the signal/noise ratio is further improved.

This new design also enables a smaller shading plate, which is reduced in both size and weight thanks to the use of 99.9% pure beryllium rather than the previous aluminium. 

MICRO RIDGE STYLUS

In a first for DS Audio, the Master 3 features the combination of a square pillar diamond cantilever with a Micro Ridge stylus.

The cartridge’s body structure has been crafted to provide maximum rigidity, while the internal wiring is 1.6 times thicker than used in the second-generation Master 1, thus reducing impedance.

MASTER 3 EQUALIZER

Like all DS Audio optical cartridges, the Master 3 requires its own equalizer / phono stage, which this new design also brings up to ‘third generation’ level. The new Master 3 equalizer is a dual monaural circuit design with three transformers and completely independent left and right channel circuits. It offers both unbalanced and balanced outputs with a choice of six different low-frequency roll-off points,. The power supply has also been significantly strengthened.

DS AUDIO MASTER 3 OPTICAL CARTRIDGE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DS Master 3 optical cartridge

Body material Ultra duralumin

Cantilever Square pillar diamond

Stylus Micro Ridge

Signal output Photo-electric conversion

Output signal level   > 70mV

Channel separation > 27dB (@ 1kHz)

Weight 7.9g

DS Master 3 phono stage/equalizer

Inputs RCA

Outputs RCA x 3, XLR x 3

Rated output voltage 700mV (@ 1kHz)

Output impedance   RCA 120Ω, XLR 120Ω

Pre-amp input impedance  > 10Ω

Dimensions   452 (w) x 153 (h) x 484 (d) mm

Weight 23kg

DS AUDIO MASTER 3 OPTICAL CARTRIDGE PRICING & AVAILABILITY

The DS Audio DS Master 3 optical phono cartridge and phono stage/equalizer are available now, priced as follows (inc. VAT):

Cartridge and equalizer package price: £22,995

Cartridge only: £8,330

Equalizer only: £18,885

DS Audio cartridges are fully compatible with any of the company’s accompanying phono stages/equalizers, allowing you to mix and match.

HiFi PiG Says: DS Audio may be expensive, but their cartridges are held as being the ultimate by many fans of this Japanese HiFi brand.