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Angeboten wird „Master3 optical cartridge NEW from stock!“ von DS Audio als Neugerät aus der Kategorie „Tonabnehmer“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 2220855873 endet am 02.08.2026 um 13:40 Uhr.
The €6,990 asking price is ambitious for a new DS Audio Master 3, clearly exceeding the 75th percentile (€4,153) of recent EUR comparable listings, though it aligns with the new US market price of roughly €9,500. This represents a significant premium over the typical used market median of €1,377, making it a costly entry unless the buyer specifically demands pristine, unopened stock condition.
Despite the high price, the Master 3 is a worthwhile buy for those seeking the brand’s third-generation optical clarity and a neutral, accurate frequency balance that preserves analog character. Its independent LED and photo-detector arrangement for left and right channels delivers a dramatic output voltage increase to 70mV and a far lower noise floor, offering superior musical clarity and dynamic upside that justifies the investment for serious audiophiles prioritizing cutting-edge performance.
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.
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