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Offered is „DS Audio DS-003 set (equalizer + cartridge)“ by DS Audio as second-hand device from the category „Equalizer“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 3182019983 ends on 06.11.2026 at 15:18 o'clock.
In good condition, €2,990 lands well above the recent used median of €2,252 and even clears the €2,623 75th percentile, so this is an ambitious ask rather than a bargain. It is not wildly out of line for a desirable specialist phono stage, but the price is firmly in premium territory for the current market.
That said, the DS 003 is respected for its low-noise, highly resolving presentation and for letting an active cartridge setup show its speed, texture, and detail without much obvious editorializing. If the unit is clean, fully functional, and comes with original packaging, power supply, and any setup accessories, it still has real appeal for someone who wants a serious moving-coil front end and values rarity over chasing the lowest price.
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.
