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DS Audio DS-W2 Optical Phono Cartridge
PREOWNED – FULLY TESTED – INCLUDES
ORIGINAL BOX/PACKING, MANUAL, NEEDLE GUARD, METAL CASE – 40 HOURS OF USE
World beating optical cartridge technology
The DS-W2 is the successor to our DS-W1 optical cartridge
design, which was awarded the title of world’s best phono cartridge by two
major audio magazines in Germany: Stereo and Audio. This praise helped to establish
the popularity of our unique technology, setting a high standard and paving the
way for further development. The extensive advancements and refinements of the
DS-W2 design have resulted in performance that is far in excess of the already
impressive DS-W1.
Boron Cantilever with Micro-ridge stylus
The DS-W2 is equipped with a boron cantilever and
Micro-Ridge stylus representing a further upgrade from the Shibata stylus used
on its predecessor DS-W1. This combination precisely traces the record groove
and yields the utmost quality of sonic reproduction. A hand-crafted, “Natural
Rose quartz” LED indicator adds an eye-catching detail to this unique piece of
audio technology.
DS-W2 Optical Cartridge
Signal output Photo-electric Conversion
Channel separation 25db more（1KHz）
Weight 8.1g
Output signal level 50mV more
Canti-lever Boron
Body material Aluminum
Needle pressure 1.6g～1.8g(1.7g is recommended)
Stylus
Micro Ridge
Generating expert take…
# 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.
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