Ok some more listening notes after an all night session:
- With the DS003, it is possible to reduce the groove/surface noise considerably with an EQ setting on the "Energizer". However that takes away the magic/detail and I preferred to have the EQ set more open. At that setting it's pretty much just like any other cart in terms of how pops and such come across.
- How to best characterize the sonics of the DS003? TIGHT! CD tight, but without the hard edges and flat sound. It's truly a wonderful sounding cart, as mentioned clean sounding like a CD, great soundstage though depth is a touch less deep than a great MC, tight deep bass, clear with great detail but not thin or strident sounding in the least, treble is sweet. Mids are reasonably open and contribute to a sense of "air" but I think that's more due to greatly defined imaging which is terrific, perhaps the best quality of the DS003. Very fast sounding.
- When you consider the package is for both the cart and "EQ/Energizer" (the respective phono stage) it's a very very attractive package - no wondering if you selected the right phono stage to mate with a MC, etc. It's a simple solution and is very compelling from that POV.
- How does it compare with the ART20 or 1000x? Well, as mentioned it's not an equal comparison in my case because my MC phono preamp is all tube and a very tube sounding unit at that (Hagerman Trumpet MC), I've curated the best NOS tubes for it (to my ears - Amperex/Tele) and I've considered many times "upgrading" the Hagerman but not going to happen, it sounds sensational.
So with the DS003 mated to a SS unit it's a bit different, but I have to commend the DS EQ + cart for the warm tone despite being very tight, clear and detailed sonically. The biggest difference would be the MC carts are a touch more holographic but again, is that the phono pre?? Apparently DS is coming out with a tube Energizer and I'll bet that will close that gap.
Between the ART20 and 1000x the ART20 is closer in tone to the DS003. For those happy with their ART20/phono preamp I'd say the DS003 is a shade different, it's a very exciting and unique presentation but at the end of the day if the expenditure is something you can do to add another option to your portfolio of carts, yeah I think it's worthy. But if you need to stay within a budget and can't be Rockefeller-like in your spending the ART20 is providing a very reasonable facsimile.
The 1000x in comparison to the DS003 is more "romantic" but that's a little overstated. The x has more harmonic glow and overall beauty. For my ears and again as stated I'm a dyed-in-the-wool tube guy, I'd never part with the 1000x. Actually I love all three of these options but if I could only keep one, it'd be the 1000x though I would be very sad to lose the other two.
