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Offered is „Grand Master & Phono EQ DS W2“ by DS Audio as exhibit from the category „Pick-up“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 3074547820 ends on 14.10.2026 at 09:45 o'clock.
DS Audio’s optical cartridges sit in a rarefied corner of analog playback, and the DS-W2 is one of the more admired upper-tier designs in that line. At €8,000, this listing is clearly ambitious versus the recent used EUR market: it sits well above the €6,447 75th percentile and far above the €4,895 median, so this is not a casual fair-price buy.
What justifies the interest is the DS-W2’s reputation for speed, clarity, low noise, and a very open, unforced presentation that can make great vinyl setups sound extraordinary. If the stylus/optical system is healthy and the package includes the right accessories, it can still be a serious long-term cartridge for a committed system. At this price, though, I’d want evidence of condition, hours, and complete support gear before calling it a no-brainer.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
# DS Audio
DS Audio is a Japanese hi-fi specialist founded in October 2013 by Tetsuaki Aoyagi, building on his father's three-decade legacy in laser optics through Digital Stream Corporation. Based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, the brand emerged from a deliberate mission to reinvent analog playback and "create the future of analog music." This heritage in precision optics proved instrumental in developing the company's signature technology.
The brand is renowned almost exclusively for optical phono cartridges—a category in which DS Audio stands alone as the world's sole major manufacturer. Their cartridges employ proprietary LED-based optical transducers that dramatically improve upon earlier Toshiba designs, eliminating traditional stylus contact and offering exceptional longevity (approximately 50,000 usable hours). DS Audio complements these cartridges with matching phono stages and turntable accessories, maintaining a tightly focused product ecosystem.
DS Audio occupies the high-end and ultra-high-end market segment, commanding premium pricing justified by proprietary innovation and limited competition. The brand has cultivated a devoted following among analog enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, with its optical cartridges climbing to the upper echelons of audio desirability. This is unquestionably a niche boutique manufacturer, but one with genuine technological differentiation and a growing reputation for excellence in a specialized domain.
See all DS Audio listings on RADAR.
