The DS Audio Master 3 optical cartridge & equaliser package is the successor to the DS Master 1, which created the history for DS Audio.

The new DS Audio Master 3 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 dramatically increased from 40mV to 70mV. The Master 3 cartridge offers a greatly improved signal to noise ratio compared to its stablemates, resulting in an even lower noise floor and far greater musical clarity.

The implementation of independent left and right channel LEDs 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.

A first for DS Audio, the Master 3 cartridge features the combination of a square pillar diamond cantilever with a Micro Ridge stylus. The cartridge body structure has been designed in such a way as to promote maximum rigidity. In addition to these features, the Master 3 utilises internal wiring 1.6 times thicker than used in the second-generation cartridges in order to reduce impedance.

The DS Master 3 equalizer is a dual monaural circuit design with three transformers and completely independent left channel and right channel circuits. The power supply has been overwhelmingly strengthened to enable deeper, richer low-frequency expression. The DS Audio Master 3 equalizer has balanced and unbalanced outputs, and the low-frequency cut off frequency can be selected from six different options.

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, the 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.

DS Master 3 Optical Cartridge Specifications:

Signal output: Photo-electric Conversion
Channel separation: 27db more (1KHz）
Weight: 7.9g
Output signal level: 70mV
Cantilever: Square Pillar Diamond
Body material: Ultra-duralumin
Needle pressure: 2.0g～2.2g (2.1g is recommended)
Stylus: Micro Ridge

DS Master 3 Equalizer Specifications:

Output voltage: 700mV(1kHz)
Output impedance: RCA: 120Ω / XLR 120Ω
Pre amp input impedance: More than 10kΩ
Input terminal: RCA terminal
Output terminal: RCA terminal×3, XLR terminal×3
Size mm: W 45.2 × H 15.3 × D 48.4
Weight: 23.0kg