DS Audio’s DS-W3 3rd Generation Cartridge
DS Audio introduces DS-W3 third-generation optical cartridge to replace DS-W2.
The DS Audio DS-W3 Cartridge
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 to 0.74mg compared with 1.56mg.
The DS-W3 cartridge features the combination of a boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge body is made of aluminum and the structure has been designed in such a way to promote maximum rigidity. The W3 utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second-generation cartridges to reduce impedance.
Compared to the DS-W2 equalizer, the thickness of the circuit board has been changed from 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, and the thickness of the copper foil has been changed from 35µ to 70µ. Components are also optimized for third-generation cartridges. In addition, the DS-W3 equalizer has four different low-frequency outputs to choose from.
Price Of The DS Audio DS-W3 Cartridge
The DS-WE cartridge alone retails at £4,995. The DS Audio DS-W3 optical phono cartridge and phono stage/equalizer are available now with the cartridge and equalizer package retailing at £12,995.
