Recommended a highly resolving cartridge

Enlightening perspective👍

My takeaway-a different phonostage+ART1000X MIGHT get closer to the end game?

1000x is an endgame cart no doubt.

DS003 is an endgame cart too, they're just different. 

For my taste I'm in the 1000x camp, but I can see someone that wants a more pristine presentation being partial to the DS. 

@fastricky Backert Labs makes a tubed equalizer for DS Audio cartridges. I heard it at the show last year. 
https://backertlabs.com/optik-phono/

How to best characterize the sonics of the DS003? TIGHT! CD tight, but without the hard edges and flat sound.

Kind of what I hear from my Hana Blue with Whest phono stage. 

Backert gear has been on my radar in the past, thanks for the link. I'd love to see a tube phono pre unit that can handle both optical and MC carts

Thanks for the comparisons Ricky.  

You've really been paying the ART20 a lot of compliments. I have only been comparing it to my memory of other cartridges I've had. It is the finest cartridge I own.