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Opinions on the DS audio optical cart

One of my local audio dealers sells new and used albums. They also let you demo the used albums before purchasing. Today they let me use the "Big" room to check out my selections. The setup was a VAC preamp w/a VAC amp. Speakers the Wilson Alexx , and the Acoustic Signature Asconda w/the DS Audio optical cart. Standard phono's don't work w/the DS so you have to use the DS phono which activates the cart. Sound at the top end was hot and the overall sound seemed to lack a full body sound. Also seemed to pick up surface noise. In the past they had this same setup w/a Dynavector TE Kaitora and a Sutherland double stack phono. Excellent sound. Happy to hear other opinions. I know this cart has received rave reviews but not my cup of tea. Also if you have a top of the line phono it goes in the closet because it won't work w/the optical cart.
linnlingo
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racedoc
80 posts
 
Hi linnlingo,

you are right concerning the phono pre. The DS-Audio ones are
unique and not compatible to normal ones.
That can be "bad" or that can save you a lot of money.

We have checked here several well known competitors vs. DS-Audio.
The dynamic, detail and high end capabilities of the DS-W1 are
outstanding and carts like the Lyra Atlas, Lyra Etna or ZYX Atmos
could not match that.
Only the soundstage of the ZYX was maybe a bit broader than that
of the DS-W1.

Very interesting is is the new DS-002 as well. It has the best soundstage
I ever had heard in my system and combines the DS-Audio pros with
that plus having an "analog warmth".

One of my friends hearing it said: "Wow, that combines high end audio
with my Shindo-SPU!"

So if the sound at your dealer was "thin" they must have made something
not really right.
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