DS Audio's semi-flagship optical cartridge, with a square-section diamond cantilever and one of the quietest backgrounds in analog playback.
The DS Master3 uses DS Audio's third-generation optical generator. A small shading plate on the cantilever moves between an LED and a photodetector, so there are no magnets or coils. Each channel has its own LED and detector, which raised output to 70 mV and improved signal-to-noise ratio over the previous generation. The beryllium shading plate is smaller and more than 50% lighter than before. The cantilever is a square-section solid diamond carrying a Micro Ridge stylus. It is held in a stainless steel cantilever holder in an ultra-duralumin body.
Hi-Fi News called the Master3 a "semi-flagship" that could upset the range above it, and heard an even lower noise floor than earlier DS designs, which were already very quiet. It also found that the cartridge matters more than the equalizer. The reviewer found the Master3 sounded very similar on the much less expensive DS 003 Equalizer, so you can start there and add the matching Master3 Equalizer later. Like every DS cartridge, the Master3 needs a DS Audio equalizer. It will not work with a conventional MM or MC phono stage or step-up transformer. At 7.9 g it suits most medium-mass tonearms.
| Type | Optical (photo-electric) cartridge; requires a DS Audio equalizer |
| Output | 70 mV |
| Channel separation | 27 dB at 1 kHz |
| Tracking force | 2.0–2.2 g (2.1 g recommended) |
| Weight | 7.9 g |
| Stylus | Micro Ridge |
| Cantilever | Square-section diamond |
| Shading plate | 99.9% pure beryllium |
| Body | Ultra-duralumin; stainless steel cantilever holder |
| Also available | Master3 System (cartridge with Master3 Equalizer) |
Pearl Audio is an authorized DS Audio dealer. Call or visit our Portland showroom to talk about matching a cartridge to your tonearm and phono stage.
