I am selling my DS Audio DS002 only because I am moving up in the line-up.
This is a fantastic optical cartridge that comes with its own unique “phono stage” (what DS Audio accurately calls its equalizer) matched to the cartridge. This cartridge works by light transmission; there is an optical sensor in front of the elastomer suspension of the cartridge.
Manufacturer’s DS002 page:
https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/ds002-【new】/
US dealer’s DS Audio page:
http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/product/ds-002-optical-cartridge/There are many glowing reviews out there mostly in Europe as DS Audio has quite a following there and in Asia.
Here is a sampling:
Ken Kessler’s review in Hi-Fi News:
https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HFN_DS-Audio-DS-002_lowres.pdfJonathan Valin TAS review:
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/ds-audio-ds-002-optical-cartridge/From part time audiophile:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/04/23/axpona-2017-quintessence-musical-surroundings-rise-to-new-heights/Swedish 2018 review (can be easily translated):https://www.lydogbilde.no/test/hi-fi/ds-audio-ds-002:
German review (also easily translated):https://www.hifitest.de/test/tonabnehmer/ds_audio-ds_002_15332
This cartridge has seen about 150 hours of careful usage, on records washed in a KLaudio and with careful cleaning after each side of play. I have been using it on a linear tracking Trans-Fi Terminator with excellent results.
The equalizer has some faint marks on the underside where I used Stillpoint ultra minis to provide isolation.
Regular price is $5500—I am selling this cartridge-equalizer combo for $2650 (remember no additional phono stage needed). Original box and manual. I will pay shipping and Paypal fees to CONUS at my asking price.
Installation is the same as for any MM or MC cartridge and there is sufficient output to drive any active or passive linestage.
