The DS Audio DS-E3 optical cartridge & equaliser package is a newcomer to 2024 and achieves an overwhelmingly low price, and inherits the merits of the third-generation optical cartridge mechanism. The DS-E3 benefits from a higher output due to independent LED and PD. Improved channel separation between the left and right channels, and the use of a beryllium light shielding plate also help in raising the performance bar.

Aluminium cantilever with elliptical needle
The cantilever is made of aluminium and the needle tip is a solid elliptical needle. While adopting the third-generation optical cartridge mechanism, the channel separation is set 1db lower to improve mass production efficiency.

New Amplification and Power Supply Circuits
In the DS Audio DS-E3 equalizer, the amplification circuit has been made symmetrical, and the voltage supplied to the cartridge has been stabilized to achieve a clearer and faster sound.

Miniaturisation is achieved by using an operational amplifier
The DS Audio DS-E3 equalizer uses an operational amplifier as the amplifying element to minimise the signal path, thereby greatly reducing the number of components and achieving a smaller size. As a result, the DS Audio DS-E3 equalizer is about 1/3 the size of the DS-003 equalizer.

DS-E3 Optical Cartridge Specifications:

Signal output: Photo-electric Conversion
Channel separation: 26db (1KHz）
Weight: 7.7g
Output signal level: 70mV more
Cantilever: Aluminium
Body material: Aluminium
Needle pressure: 2.0g～2.2g (2.1g is recommended)
Stylus: Elliptical Needle

DS-E3 Equalizer for Optical Cartridge Specifications:

Output voltage: 500mV (1kHz)
Output impedance: 120Ω
Pre amp input impedance: More than 10kΩ
Input terminal: RCA terminal
Output terminal: RCA terminal (Switch two outputs with switch)
Size: W26cm × H6.9cm × D19.5cm
Weight: 1.86kg