DS Audio 003 Optical Cartridge System
The DS Audio 003 is a third-generation optical phono cartridge system consisting of the DS003 optical cartridge and the DS003 dedicated equalizer. Drawing directly from the technology developed for the flagship Grand Master, the 003 brings dual-mono optical transduction, ultra-low moving mass, and enhanced circuit construction to a broader range of analog enthusiasts. It is available as the cartridge alone, the equalizer alone, or as a complete matched system.
DS Audio and the Optical Cartridge
DS Audio, founded in Japan by Tetsuaki Aoyagi, is the company most responsible for perfecting the optical phono cartridge for modern high-end audio. Unlike conventional moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges, which use electromagnetic induction to convert stylus movement into an audio signal, DS Audio optical cartridges use a beam of light. As the stylus and cantilever vibrate, a lightweight shading plate modulates the intensity of a miniaturized LED. Photodetectors read these changes in light intensity and convert them into an electrical signal. This approach sidesteps the electromagnetic limitations inherent in conventional cartridge designs, producing an output signal in the range of tens of millivolts rather than the sub-5mV outputs typical of most MC cartridges.
Because optical cartridges detect stylus displacement rather than velocity, their frequency response extends deeper into the bass than traditional designs, and their equalization requirements differ fundamentally from the RIAA curve applied to MM and MC cartridges. As a result, every DS Audio optical cartridge must be paired with a DS Audio equalizer or a compatible third-party unit, which applies the correct equalization curve and raises the signal to standard line level for connection to a preamplifier.
The DS Audio Product Lineup
The DS Audio range spans from the entry-level E1 through the DS001, DS002, and DS003, up to the Master 1, Master 2, and the company's flagship Grand Master. The 003 represents the third generation of DS Audio's optical cartridge technology. The first and second generations used a single shared LED and photodetector for both left and right channels. The third generation introduced a dual-mono arrangement with independent optical components per channel, a design first developed for the Grand Master and subsequently brought to the DS003.
DS Audio 003 Cartridge
Dual-Mono Optical Generator
The most significant advancement in the DS003 over the first two DS Audio generations is the adoption of independent LEDs and photodetectors for the left and right channels, inherited directly from the Grand Master. This dual-mono optical generator substantially increases channel separation to 27dB or greater at 1kHz, with independent measurements confirming performance above 32dB in practice. The improved channel isolation translates directly into more precise soundstage placement, tighter imaging, and a lower noise floor.
99.9% Beryllium Shading Plate
The shading plate, the small element attached to the cantilever that physically modulates the light beam, is a critical factor in dynamic performance and transient accuracy. In the DS003, this plate is fabricated from 99.9% pure beryllium, the same material used in the Grand Master. Compared to the aluminum shading plate used in DS Audio's second-generation cartridges, the beryllium version is more than 50% lighter. The effective moving mass of the plate is less than one-tenth that of the moving coil assembly in a typical MC cartridge. This dramatic reduction in moving mass improves trackability, reduces mechanical resonance, and enhances dynamic response.
Cantilever, Stylus, and Body Construction
The DS003 cartridge uses an aluminum cantilever paired with a line contact diamond stylus. The cartridge body is precision-machined from A5052 aluminum, selected for its combination of rigidity and low mass, with the overall structure designed to minimize resonance. The cantilever holder is stainless steel. Internal wiring uses conductors 1.6 times thicker than in the first and second generations, reducing impedance and improving signal flow throughout the cartridge. The cartridge weighs 7.7g and stands 15.1mm tall, with a recommended tracking force of 2.1g.
DS Audio 003 Equalizer
The DS003 equalizer is a dedicated phono stage designed specifically for optical cartridges. It applies the proprietary equalization curve required for optical transduction and brings the cartridge's 70mV output to a standard 500mV line-level signal for connection to a preamplifier. While optimized for use with the DS003 cartridge, it is compatible with all DS Audio optical cartridges, and all DS Audio equalizers are compatible with all DS Audio cartridges, enabling flexible upgrades over time.
Enhanced Circuit Board and Copper Foil
Compared to the DS002 equalizer, the DS003 equalizer uses a thicker circuit board, increased from 1.6mm to 2.0mm, with denser copper foil traces, up from 35µ to 70µ. These construction upgrades reduce trace resistance and improve current delivery stability, contributing to a lower noise floor and more composed dynamics. Every component and board in the DS003 equalizer is assembled and tested by hand in Japan.
Low-Frequency Filter Options
The DS003 equalizer includes four selectable low-frequency rolloff settings, accessible via a rear-panel switch. This flexibility allows the user to tailor bass response to their turntable, tonearm, and listening environment. The equalizer provides two pairs of RCA outputs on the rear panel; the combination of output pair selection and filter switch yields four distinct configuration options to optimize system matching.
Connections and Build
The equalizer accepts input via a single RCA pair and provides two pairs of RCA outputs. Output impedance is 120 ohms, designed to drive preamplifier inputs rated at 10kΩ or greater. The chassis measures 330 x 92 x 295mm and weighs 5.0kg. The internal power supply features a total smoothing capacitance of 330,000µF, contributing to supply stability and dynamic headroom. DS Audio recommends a minimum one-minute warm-up period after power-on.
System Compatibility and Setup
The DS003 optical cartridge is compatible with standard tonearms, with one important requirement: the tonearm wiring must provide fully independent conductors for the positive and negative leads of each channel, along with a separate dedicated ground conductor. Tonearms that share one channel's signal return with the ground are not compatible without rewiring, as DS Audio optical cartridges carry a low DC voltage through the tonearm leads. This applies to all DS Audio cartridges and should be confirmed prior to installation.
The DS003 cartridge and equalizer are available individually and as a set. All DS Audio cartridges are cross-compatible with all DS Audio equalizers, and the DS003 equalizer is also compatible with third-party optical phono stages from select manufacturers including Soulution, Esoteric, EMM Labs, and Meitner, among others, that have developed dedicated equalization stages for optical cartridges.
Critical Reception
The DS Audio 003 system has received strong recognition from the international audio press. Reviewing it for Hi-Fi News, veteran critic Ken Kessler concluded that "the astonishing DS 003 will still blow your mind," placing it in direct lineage with the Grand Master while acknowledging its distinct character. Jonathan Valin, writing for The Absolute Sound, called it "a marvelous transducer" and nominated it for the publication's Phono Cartridge of the Year. Across multiple reviews, the DS003 system is consistently recognized for its exceptionally low noise floor, channel separation, dynamic speed, and an overall tonal naturalism frequently compared to the sound of open-reel analog tape.
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