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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 8015291417 ends on 10.11.2026 at 10:29 o'clock.
At €2,690, this sits just above the €2,678 median and right in the middle of the recent used market, so it reads as a fair ask rather than a standout bargain or an inflated pitch. With the 25th to 75th percentile band running from €2,644 to €2,699, it is essentially priced in line with normal trade levels for this piece.
That makes the value case depend on condition and completeness more than on price alone. The DS Audio setup is well regarded for its very low noise floor, speed, and clean, highly resolved presentation, and a good example can be a genuinely revealing way into optical-cartridge performance. If the stylus, phono unit, and all original accessories are present and the condition really is clean, this is a sensible buy for someone who wants the format without hunting for a deeper discount.
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.
