RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
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 8475374001 ends on 15.11.2026 at 09:58 o'clock.
In good condition at €2,690, this sits just below the €2,701 median and comfortably inside the usual band, so it reads as a fair, buyable ask rather than a stretch. It is not a bargain on percentile terms, but it is close enough to market that a clean example with complete accessories would be easy to justify.
That makes sense for a respected DS Audio setup: the value is in its hybrid cartridge-and-equalizer approach, which can deliver very low noise, strong separation, and a distinctly polished presentation. The real upside here is condition and completeness, so I’d want to see the original EQ, cables, and any mounting bits included; if those are all present, this is the kind of listing that rewards a buyer looking for a ready-to-enjoy electrostatic-style vinyl front end.
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.
