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Offered is „DS - 002 Tonabnehmer & Phonostufe (EQ)“ by DS Audio from the category „Pick-up MC“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 1009787281 ends on 03.11.2026 at 09:27 o'clock.
At €2,690, this sits essentially on top of the recent used market for the model: just above the €2,674 median and inside the tight €2,639–€2,699 interquartile band, so it reads as a fair asking price rather than a bargain or a stretch. For a buyer, that means the value case is solid if the item is genuinely complete and in clean working order; there’s no need to overpay, but there’s also nothing about the number that should scare you off.
What makes this appealing is the DS Audio system itself: it’s one of the more distinctive ways to play records, with a reputation for very low noise, lively dynamics, and a presentation that can feel unusually open and precise compared with conventional moving-coil setups. At this price, the real upside is getting into that performance tier without paying new-equipment money, so the main check is simply that both cartridge and phono stage are included, undamaged, and ready to go.
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.
