{"id":175452,"date":"2023-11-18T14:33:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T14:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=175452"},"modified":"2023-11-18T16:28:36","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T16:28:36","slug":"ds-audio-master-3-third-generation-optical-pickup-unveiled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/ds-audio-master-3-third-generation-optical-pickup-unveiled\/","title":{"rendered":"DS Audio Master 3: Third generation optical pickup unveiled"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Japanese company\u00a0DS Audio\u00a0introduced the third generation of the Master optical cartridge, which received the suffix 3 in the name.\u00a0The DS Audio Master 1 optical cartridge was released as the brand’s flagship model in 2016.\u00a0Since then, the Grand Master and Grand Master Extreme models, which use DS Audio \u201cthird generation\u201d optical cartridge technology, have received flagship status.\u00a0Now these advanced technologies are implemented in the\u00a0DS Audio Master 3\u00a0head and, as they say, have become closer to the people, that is, more affordable.<\/p>\n

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As a reminder, DS Audio optical cartridges do not use conventional moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridge designs.\u00a0Instead, an optical system operates that converts the movement of the needle\/cantilever into electrical signals.\u00a0This eliminates the electromagnetic fields that are present in traditional MM and MC designs.<\/p>\n

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The new “third generation” Master 3 optical cartridge system has been completely redesigned using technologies developed for the flagship DS Audio Grand Master model.\u00a0Independent LEDs and photodetectors for the left and right channels provide increased output voltage, reaching 70 mV (Master 1 head had 40 mV).\u00a0Also in the third generation, it was possible to improve channel separation and signal-to-noise ratio.\u00a0The new generation uses a smaller and lighter shade plate by using 99.9% pure beryllium instead of aluminum.\u00a0The DS Audio Master 3’s cabinet design has been designed for maximum rigidity, and the internal wiring is 1.6 times thicker than the Master 1, reducing impedance.<\/p>\n

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Like all DS Audio optical cartridges, the Master 3 requires the use of a special phono preamplifier, which is also upgraded to \u201cthird generation\u201d level.\u00a0The new Master 3 phono stage features a dual mono concept with three transformers and completely independent left and right channel circuits.\u00a0It is equipped with both unbalanced and balanced outputs.<\/p>\n

The DS Audio Master 3\u00a0optical cartridge and phono preamplifier\u00a0are already on sale.\u00a0In the UK the kit will cost\u00a0\u00a322,995\u00a0.\u00a0The cartridge alone is priced at\u00a0\u00a38,330\u00a0, and the phono stage can be purchased separately for\u00a0\u00a318,885\u00a0.\u00a0The manufacturer emphasizes that all DS Audio cartridges are fully compatible with any phono stage of the company, which allows for any combination.<\/p>\n

Technical characteristics of the optical head of the DS Audio Master 3 pickup:<\/h3>\n