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DS Audio DS003
Cartridge
Independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels
The new DS003 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 DS003 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.
Aluminum cantilever & Aluminum body
The DS003 cartridge features the combination of an aluminum 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 DS003 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 DS002 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.In addition, the DS003 equalizer allows you to select the cutoff frequency for the low frequency range from four types, allowing you to select an output that better 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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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
88/100
With silent backgrounds, explosive dynamics and a hyper-detailed presentation, the DS Audio DS003 turns vinyl into a vividly carved, almost tape-like experience. What Hi-Fi? and HiFi News praise its scale, bass authority and imaging, while Jason Thorpe calls it a paradigm shift. It demands a matching equalizer, but rewards with startling clarity.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional resolution, clarity and low-level detail retrieval reveal familiar records with fresh insight.
Big, controlled bass and strong dynamic slam give music impressive drive and physical impact.
Wide, stable imaging and improved channel separation create a large, immersive soundstage.
Very low noise and quiet groove behavior make the presentation clean and unfatiguing.
&
Cons
It requires a dedicated optical equalizer/phono stage, so it will not work with a conventional phono stage.
Its crisp, hyperreal character may be a little much for listeners who prefer a softer, more romantic vinyl sound.
The shallow cartridge body can require arm height adjustment or spacers on some tonearms.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers consistently describe the DS 003 as bold, natural, crisp, and highly resolving, with strong bass weight, treble ease, and a quiet background. The cartridge also stands out for its sense of scale and vivid presentation, though a few comments suggest its character can be very explicit and hyperrealistic rather than universally mellow.
Overall Sound
94/100
What Hi-Fi calls it an excellent advert for optical cartridges that sounds 'bold and natural,' while SoundStage describes a 'crisp, detailed, almost hyperrealistic presentation.' Across reviews, the cartridge is praised for clarity, natural warmth in vocals, and bass that is both deep and richly textured.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
Tracking and retrieval draw especially strong praise: reviewers say it 'tracks just great,' is 'smooth and glitch-free,' and can follow complex material with ease. The line-contact stylus, low-mass optical system, and repeated comments about quiet groove behavior and exceptional detail extraction support an elite result, though one reviewer tempers this slightly by saying the bass delineation is 'almost-but-not-quite world-class.'
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
The DS 003 is repeatedly credited with a large, stable, and vividly layered soundstage, with instruments placed distinctly in space and strong front-to-back depth. Reviewers mention improved channel separation, effortless panning, and a hall-like sense of size and realism that makes recordings feel expansive and enveloping.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
Tonearm fit is practical once the dedicated equalizer is part of the system, but this is not a plug-and-play cartridge for a standard phono stage. Reviewers say setup is straightforward, with standard wiring and no special cables, though the shallow body may require arm height adjustment or spacers, and the matching optical phono stage is required.
Tonearm Compatibility
86/100
Setup is described as straightforward, and reviewers note normal wiring and no special cables are needed, but the cartridge must be used with its dedicated equalizer/phono stage. The shallow body can also require arm lowering or spacers on some tonearms, so it fits best in systems willing to accommodate its specific requirements.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviewers note the aluminum body, aluminum cantilever, line-contact stylus, and the redesigned optical system with independent LEDs and photo-detectors. They do not dwell on long-term durability, but the cartridge is described as solidly put together, rigid, and well balanced on a reference arm.
Value for Money
88/100
Value comments are strongly positive, but they are generally framed as premium-system praise rather than bargain language. Reviewers call it 'hard to beat for the money,' 'an astonishing value,' and a 'trickle-down masterpiece,' while also acknowledging that the full cartridge-plus-equalizer package is expensive.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for DS Audio DS003
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Alma-Audio — in-store — Majadahonda, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
and 90 more verified dealers
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