88%

DS Audio DS-W3

Name: DS Audio DS-W3
Brand: DS Audio
SKU: 1015
Price: 16500.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (27 reviews)

View at DS Audio

Balanced Output

Cartridge

Independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels

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. The DS-W3 cartridge offers a greatly improved S/N ratio when compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.

Weight of shading plate reduced by more than 50%

The implementation of independent left and right channel LED’ s allows for the positioning of the optical system to be optimized as well as necessitating the use of a new shading plate that has been significantly reduced in size compared to our earlier designs. In addition to this reduction in size, the material used to produce the shading plate has changed from aluminium (as used in the second generation cartridges) to 99.9% pure beryllium.

Boron cantilever & Aluminum body

The DS-W3 cartridge features the combination of an boron cantilever with a line contact stylus. The cartridge body is made by aluminum and the structure has been designed in such a way as to promote maximum rigidity. In addition to these features, the DS-W3 utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second generation cartridges in order to reduce impedance.

Equalizer

Changed the thickness of the circuit board and the thickness of the copper foil.

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. The DS-W3 equalizer has both unbalanced and balanced outputs, so you can choose the output that best matches your system.

Hand-made in Japan circuit board

Every component part used in our products is tested and evaluated by our expert Japanese technicians.
In addition to using a specially printed circuit board, twist-connection of the component legs is further evidence of DS Audio’ s excellent attention to detail.
Each and every product is hand-made and quality assured by our skilled engineers.

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Overall Score 88/100

Nicely Roasted

With remarkably ultra-quiet resolution, the DS-W3 optical cartridge pairs razor-sharp, detailed imaging with surprisingly weighty, precise low end and liquid, distortion-free treble, delivering an open, three-dimensional soundstage. Reviewers at Tracking Angle and HiFi News praise its exceptional retrieval and tonal naturalness when used with the matching energiser, and authoritative dynamics that reveal tiny groove details.

Tracking Angle

"I’ll go so far as to say you haven’t really heard your records until you listen to a DS Audio cartridge play ‘em back."

Audiophilepure

"I’ll say that, yes, the DS-W3 sounds better than the DS 003, the improvements are notable, and I thoroughly appreciate them."

HiFi News

"An object lesson in how to create a monopoly: make something no-one else can copy."

Pros

Exceptionally low noise floor and high resolution that uncovers micro-details and produces a very quiet background.
Wide, three-dimensional soundstage with pinpoint imaging—individual performers and instruments are easily separated.
Strong, controlled bass and dynamic authority when paired with the dedicated energiser, yielding natural low-frequency weight.

Cons

Requires the dedicated DS energiser/decoder and nonstandard wiring—won't work with conventional phono stages.
High price and diminishing-returns relative to lower-tier DS models; reviewers note a steep premium for incremental gains.

Sound Quality

92/100

Weighted average of sub-criteria below.

Overall Sound

92/100

Reviewers consistently describe the W3 as a top-tier, highly musical cartridge: Tracking Angle calls it “the finest cartridge I’ve ever listened to,” noting linearity, absence of distortion and pleasing treble; HiFi News hails it as “among the best yet” at the price point; Audiophilepure confirms audible improvements over the DS-003. The combination of line-contact stylus, boron cantilever and reduced-mass shading plates is cited by reviewers as contributing to natural timbre, clarity and dynamic authority.

Tracking Retrieval

91/100

Tracking and retrieval are repeatedly praised: reviewers report excellent tracking even on warped LPs, very low surface noise and the ability to reveal tiny details (‘every tiny tweak was audible’). The line-contact stylus and engineering changes (beryllium shading plates, thicker internal wiring) support the strong reviewer consensus on excellent groove retrieval and low-noise operation.

Soundstage Imaging

92/100

Imaging is a standout according to multiple reviews: Tracking Angle calls imaging “off the charts,” and HiFi News describes wide, airy stage depth and precise central imaging. Reviewers note a very three-dimensional, well-layered presentation without sounding gimmicky.

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Build Quality

90/100

Reviews document high-quality materials and execution: boron cantilever, line-contact diamond, aluminium body, 99.9% beryllium shading plates with substantial mass reduction, and heavier internal wiring. Reviewers treat these changes as meaningful improvements in performance rather than mere marketing, supporting a strong score for construction and engineering.

Features Usability

82/100

Tonearm compatibility / system fit.

Physically and mechanically the W3 is friendly to a range of arms: reviewers note its 7.9g mass and that it behaved consistently across very different tonearms, even appearing relatively 'immune' to arm differences. Practical caveats lower the usability score: DS optical cartridges require the dedicated external energiser/decoder (they won’t work with standard RIAA phono stages and the pin/power scheme is nonstandard), so setup demands and system dependency are important considerations for buyers.

Value for Money

78/100

Mixed but clear consensus: reviewers agree the DS-W3 is sonically exceptional yet expensive, producing diminishing-returns commentary. HiFi News notes the package’s rewards and positions it as a high-end upgrade; Tracking Angle and Audiophilepure highlight the hefty premium vs. the DS-003 and caution about cost/benefit, with suggestions that many users might prefer the previous model for far less. The score reflects outstanding performance tempered by a steep price and repeated reviewer advice about diminishing returns.