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Offered is „Grand Master EX“ by DS Audio as exhibit from the category „Tone Arm“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 1838775331 ends on 24.11.2026 at 14:07 o'clock.
At €23,000, this sits well above the recent used cluster in your database, where the median is €2,726 and even the 75th percentile is only €2,749; on that basis, it reads as a very ambitious ask for the market you’ve shared. That only makes sense if the listing has exceptional provenance, full packaging, and fresh service history, because the number is otherwise far beyond normal used trade for this pool.
What makes it compelling is the reputation: this is a flagship optical cartridge system known for extreme resolution, speed, and a very low-noise, highly revealing presentation, with the EX version especially prized for its one-piece diamond cantilever/stylus. If it’s complete and genuinely lightly used, it’s the kind of thing a serious DS Audio fan might stretch for; just verify the equalizer compatibility, stylus hours, and whether any factory support or retip path is still relevant before paying at this level.
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.
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