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DS Audio Grand Master
Cartridge
Independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for the left and right channels
The new Grand Master 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 increased from 40mV to 70mV. The Grand Master cartridge offers an improved S/N ratio compared to its stable mates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.
Weight of the shading plate is reduced by more than 50%
The implementation of independent left and right channel LEDs allow for the positioning of the optical system to be optimized as well as necessitating the use of a newly designed 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 been changed from aluminum (as used in the second-generation cartridges) to 99.9% pure beryllium to reduce its mass further.
Diamond cantilever
The Grand Master is the first DS Audio cartridge to feature a diamond cantilever with a MicroRidge stylus. The unique cartridge body structure was designed to promote maximum rigidity. In addition, the Grand Master utilizes internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second-generation cartridges to reduce impedance.
Equalizer
The power unit and equalizer unit are completely separate units
The DS Audio Grand Master system features a separate equalizer and power supply, each in an independent chassis. Using 2.34 million uF and 2.97 million uF electrolytic capacitors within the equalizer and power supply units, respectively, has resulted in a significantly stronger power supply design and improved reproduction of deeper low frequencies. In addition, the Grand Master equalizer incorporates special film capacitors custom-built to DS Audio’s specifications, along with non-induction winding resistors. The design features three transformers, each with a capacity 1½ times greater than that of the DS Master 1, one for the left and one for right channels, with the third handling the power supply to the optical cartridge.
A total of 6 optional low-frequency cut-off points
The Grand Master equalizer features single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs. Additionally, you can choose from 6 different low-frequency cut-off points, allowing it to seamlessly integrate with any hi-fi system.
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
95/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
85/100
DS Audio’s Grand Master is an ultra-quiet, high-resolution optical cartridge system that turns vinyl into a startlingly clear, fast, and spacious listen. HiFi News, Part Time Audiophile, and The Absolute Sound all praise its deep bass, precise imaging, and natural tonal warmth.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional transparency and low noise floor reveal fine detail, microdynamics, and room cues with unusual ease.
Bass is deep, fast, and well controlled, with reviewers repeatedly noting improved weight, speed, and definition.
Soundstage presentation is exceptionally focused, with strong width, depth, and imaging solidity.
Build quality and engineering are described as superlative, with a rigid diamond cantilever and refined optical design.
&
Cons
The system is extremely expensive, especially once the dedicated equalizer and power supply are included.
Setup is demanding and highly revealing, so careful alignment and system matching are essential.
The cartridge’s very low body height can create tonearm clearance issues on some arms.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers describe an exceptionally transparent, fast, and highly resolved presentation with striking tonal purity. They repeatedly praise the quiet background, the precision of bass and transients, and the convincing way it reconstructs space and texture.
Overall Sound
96/100
Reviewers call it stunningly transparent, supremely neutral, and extraordinarily complete, with one describing the result as a 'true revelation' and another saying it may be the best cartridge he has heard. They also praise its smoothness, organic flow, tonal purity, and the way it renders music with exceptional realism and completeness.
Tracking Retrieval
92/100
The reviews strongly emphasize microdynamic nuance, deep low-level information retrieval, and very low noise, with language like 'breathtaking' and 'listen into the music.' They also point to the diamond cantilever, low moving mass, and setup sensitivity as audible contributors, though the praise is more about retrieval and resolution than explicit track-behavior superlatives.
Soundstage Imaging
97/100
Spatial performance is a major highlight, with repeated praise for soundstaging cues, imaging specificity, width, depth, focus, location, size, and solidity. Reviewers describe near-perfect focus and an especially convincing, fully developed three-dimensional presentation.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
Tonearm matching appears straightforward for a cartridge of this type, with the low moving mass and standard mounting helping it fit serious setups well. At the same time, reviewers note that it is very transparent to setup and that careful azimuth, anti-skate, and system matching produce audible changes, so it rewards careful installation.
Tonearm Compatibility
88/100
The cartridge’s low moving mass and conventional installation make it workable in high-end tonearms, but it is also notably sensitive to setup and system matching. Reviewers say small alignment and adjustment changes are clearly audible, so it is not the most forgiving option for casual installation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
95/100
Reviewers consistently single out the diamond cantilever, rigid body, improved internal wiring, and overall refinement of the assembly. The finish is called superlative, and the construction is repeatedly framed as exceptionally serious and highly engineered.
Value for Money
85/100
Reviewers plainly acknowledge the extreme asking price and, in one case, the even higher cost of the matching equalizer, but they do not frame it as a poor buy so much as an ultra-premium statement product. The value picture is therefore more about rarity and ambition than bargain appeal, with praise for what it delivers rather than strong claims that it is a deal.
Reviews
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Authorized dealers for DS Audio Grand Master
- 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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