Recommended a highly resolving cartridge

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.

@fastricky here you go…

https://chameleon-audio.com/phasemation-ea-1500-tube-phono-amplifier/