RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Angeboten wird „DS Grand Master cartridge top optical cartridge + original preamplifier set SS-W2 EQ“ von DS Audio als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Phonoverstärker“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 1313489229 endet am 25.09.2026 um 07:30 Uhr.
This DS Audio optical cartridge setup sits in rarefied company, and €8,990 is well above the usual used market here; against your 44-listing benchmark, it clears the 75th percentile (€2,730) by a very wide margin, so this is an ambitious ask rather than a value buy.
What keeps it interesting is the system-level appeal: DS Audio’s optical design is prized for speed, low noise, and excellent detail retrieval, and having the original preamplifier included matters because these cartridges are meant to be heard with the matching EQ. If the set is complete, clean, and genuinely well cared for, it could be a strong all-in ticket into a very distinctive top-tier front end—but at this price, I’d want proof of perfect operation, fresh support, and full accessories before considering it.
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.
