Experience with DS Audio Optical Cartridge Systems

Sorry I didn't see this thread earlier.  I don't post much anymore.  I have been fortunate enough to hear multiple models of the DS Audio for the past two years.  I have a decent vinyl over the years though nothing in comparison to some.  

I moved from an Ortofon MA 90 and Tom Evans Groove SRX + to the DS Audio Grand Master and the EMM Labs.  I will say that it is not night and day, but what the DS Audio does is frankly remarkable.  I really hate when people say this, but its like you had the music live in your room.  Records I have listened to for over 40 years are astounding, as are new recordings.  I had actually thought about moving out of vinyl before I started using the DS Audio.  I can't say its not just because I bought some new toy, but I doubt it.

The models do vary widely in terms of cost but I have been enormously impressed with even the very base models.  They all have a certain basic quality which is simply amazing. I do really believe, having discussed it with an audio designer, that it really is a radically different technology which improves in some many areas over moving coil but I am no engineer.

G

It does have its downsides, it tends to have a lot of detail so I think if you had a very harsh or bright system it might lack warmth but its just my 2 cents worth.  Enjoy what you own, but don't dismiss it. 

Heard @lancelock’s optical cart setup the other day and yes it was quite stellar. When both analog and digital playback are done extremely well the sounds tend to converge. It was one of the best phonos I have heard. Piano dynamics on an especially good recording was most realistic sounding. Color me impressed! Technology taken to the next level!

Hi, I was wondering of the kind of tone arm that would be well matched to DS-003 ? TIA.

I have a DS-W2 cartridge and EMM Labs DS-EQ1 equalizer since November 2020.  Clear with bass as good as digital.  Most people use the DS cartridge in a pivoted arm (probably what they have) but I switched to a tangential (used Eminent Technology ET-2) because the skating force with a pivoted arm manifests as channel offset with the optical transducer.

An unmentioned plus for the optical transducer is vinyl pops and ticks do not overload and clip as with magnetic transducers.  It is because the optical transducer is amplitude sensitive where magnetic transducers are velocity sensitive.