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Offered is „W2“ by DS Audio as second-hand device from the category „Pick-up“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 5758105300 ends on 08.12.2026 at 11:02 o'clock.
New, the DS-W2 system was a roughly €11,500–€12,500 proposition, so €3,990 used is a substantial discount. Against 90 recent comparable listings, however, it sits above the €2,795 75th percentile and is therefore ambitious rather than a bargain; a sharper buy would be nearer the €2,772 median, assuming comparable completeness.
The appeal is real: this is a serious optical cartridge and dedicated equalizer, with very low moving mass, a boron cantilever, Micro-Ridge stylus, strong dynamics, fine detail and unusually smooth, natural tonality. It also offers both RCA and balanced outputs. At this price, confirm that the dedicated W2 equalizer is included, check stylus wear and cantilever condition carefully, and verify the power supply and output stages; without those essentials, the premium is difficult to justify.
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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