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DS Audio · Master3
$30,000
Not currently in our rooms. For a serious buyer we will often bring a piece in from the manufacturer for a private session — tell us about your system and what you are weighing it against, and we will advise.
DS Audio · Master3
The Master3 System pairs DS Audio's semi-flagship optical cartridge, with its square-section diamond cantilever, with the dual-mono Master3 Equalizer.
System price includes the DS Master3 cartridge and Master3 Equalizer. Specify stereo or mono cartridge.
Authorized DS Audio dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
A DS Audio system pairs an optical cartridge with the equalizer built for it, so the two are matched from the start and you add nothing but a turntable and tonearm. The Master3 cartridge is the successor to the Master1 and uses DS Audio's third-generation optical generator, with a beryllium shading plate moving between an LED and a photodetector for each channel. Its square-pillar diamond cantilever carries a Micro Ridge stylus, mounted in an ultra-duralumin body with a stainless steel cantilever holder. Output is 70 mV, channel separation 27 dB, and it tracks at 2.0 to 2.2 g.
The Master3 Equalizer powers the cartridge and equalizes its signal with fully separate left and right circuits and three transformers, which DS Audio says gives deeper, more solid bass. It delivers 700 mV at line level through three pairs each of balanced XLR and RCA outputs, with a selector for six low-frequency settings in all.
Hi-Fi News expected the Master3 to shake up DS Audio's range and heard a noise floor lower than earlier DS designs, using the least-filtered setting with full-range speakers. The reviewer also found the cartridge makes more difference than the equalizer, so the system gets the most important part right and then gives you the balanced outputs and filtering to fit a demanding system. The system plugs into any line-level input and needs no phono stage.
| Includes | DS Master3 optical cartridge and Master3 Equalizer |
| Cartridge output | 70 mV |
| Cartridge tracking force | 2.0–2.2 g (2.1 g recommended) |
| Cartridge weight | 7.9 g |
| Stylus / cantilever | Micro Ridge / square-pillar diamond, stainless steel holder |
| Cartridge body | Ultra-duralumin |
| Channel separation | 27 dB at 1 kHz |
| Equalizer output | 700 mV at 1 kHz; 120 Ω; load more than 10 kΩ |
| Equalizer inputs / outputs | 1 pair RCA / 3 pairs XLR and 3 pairs RCA |
| Low-cut filter | Six selectable settings |
| Equalizer dimensions (W × H × D) | 17.8 × 6.0 × 19.1 in (452 × 153 × 484 mm) |
| Equalizer weight | 50.7 lb (23 kg) |
DS Audio's complete cartridge-and-equalizer systems.
Plan your DS Audio system with Pearl Audio
Pearl Audio is an authorized DS Audio dealer. We can mount and align the cartridge on your tonearm, set up the equalizer, and arrange an audition of the complete system in our Portland showroom. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.
The Reference Collection
The Pearl Audio experience
A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.
The Master3 System is not in our rooms at present. When it is the right piece for a client we arrange a demonstration unit from the manufacturer and set it up for a private session.
We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.
We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.
Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.
