DS AUDIO ANNOUNCES NEW DS-W2 OPTICAL CARTRIDGE

Japanese company DS Audio broke new ground with the world’s only optical phono cartridge four years ago. Since then we have had a choice between the DS-W1, the flagship DS Master 1 and entry-level DS-002 models.

DS Audio DS-W2 Optical Phono Cartridge

The new DS-W2 is a direct replacement for the DS-W1 which will now be phased out. The new model incorporates the advanced optical-mechanical system in which the micro-optic sensor is positioned closer in proximity to the stylus, as seen on the Master 1.

The main benefit of this closeness is that it improves photo-electrical conversion of the signal and therefore extracts an even more accurate and detailed level of information from the vinyl’s grooves. Additionally, the DS-W2 adopts the Master 1’s wire-suspended cantilever which is designed to lower the compliance considerably. What all that adds up to is the DS-W2 can perform effortlessly at its best with a much more extensive array of tonearms.

The DS-W2 sports an aluminium body, a boron cantilever and a Micro-Ridge stylus. The rather lovely use of hand-crafted natural rose quartz for the LED indicator adds eye-catching detail. As with the Master 1 and the DS-002, the new cartridge delivers an output of 500mV and more than 25dB+ of channel separation. DS Audio recommends a tracking force of 1.7g.

All DS Audio optical cartridges use their own separate, dedicated, phono stage/equaliser and the DS-W2 is no exception. Here you get a massive, sophisticated power supply that features twelve 56,000μF capacitors which are all connected via a 1.5mm thick pure copper-plated bus-bar, designed to maximise power transfer.

Signal-to-noise performance is given a boost thanks to the special shielding used to cover the entire transformer. Furthermore, the shielding is also designed to block external RF and other environmental interference. A specially printed circuit board promises a short and clean signal path, and there are both RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced outputs.

Pricing and availability

The DS Audio DS-W2 optical phono cartridge with phono stage/equaliser is available now, priced at £9,900 (inc. VAT).

For more information go to DS Audio.