DS AUDIO (from JAPAN) is not an unknown audio brand…
among Malaysia audiophile especially the vinylphile and us at analoguefellowship.com. They “specialise in high-end optical (not digital) phono cartridges and associated (analogue) phono stages/ equalizers, and known for their innovative approach to vinyl record reproduction using light (from LED instead of old hot bulb), instead of traditional electromagnetic methods“.
The Optical Phono Cartridge was not a new technology originated by DS AUDIO but has its origin dated back to the 1940s with early Philco‘s “Beam of Light” record player. Later, in the 1970s, there were resurgence of new optical phono cartridges being produced from TOSHIBA, SHARP, TRIO, KENWOOD, etc.
Discouraging for the Stay of Optical Phono Cartridge then;
1) the technology at that time (in 1980s), especially at the light source which was the bulb that generated heat and its limited life span which drastically affected its Durability, Reliability and Performance and,…
2) the advent of the convenient and easy to handle digital media, CD.
However ‘Now‘ with the availability of New Technologies;
1) at the light source namely LED that emits almost no heat, light weight and long life span…
DS AUDIO have been operating for twelve [12] years and have yet to see a defective LED at their cartridges
…expected life span around 40,000 hours (to maybe 100,000 hours?),…
2) and the advance in Photodetector,…etc
Personally, I have known Tetsuaki “Aki” Aoyagi (known as Aki-san)…
for slightly less than ten [10] years, and that DS AUDIO have been an early supporter for analoguefellowship.com and, we still have in hand the First and Second generations of their optical phono cartridges and associated phono stages/ equalizers. I attest that both of them are…
still in service in my audio system!
For me, that is a testament of...
Good Design, Good Part and Good Manufacture!
For Aki-san, whom have been to Malaysia a number of times for DS AUDIO, has only tasted the Durian, the ‘King of Fruits‘, for the first time in the recent visit. He shared that it was…
an Unexpected Delight that made him Wanting.
The recent visit by Aki-san represented DS AUDIO‘s appointment of…
AUDIO PERFECTIONIST as the MALAYSIA Exclusive Distributor.
At the event, Aki-san explained the differences between the traditional phono cartridges (Moving Magnet, Moving Coil) with the optical phono cartridges.
Traditional phono cartridges (Moving Magnet, Moving Coil) and optical phono cartridge differ primarily in their mechanism for converting vinyl record vibrations into electrical signals.
Optical phono cartridges use light, while Traditional phono cartridges use Magnets and Coils.
This fundamental difference leads to several key distinctions in performance and design.
The following key differences:
1. Detection Mechanism:
- Optical Phono Cartridges: Optical phono cartridges utilize a light source (LED) and a shading plate attached to the stylus cantilever. As the stylus moves, the shading plate obscures the light beam, creating a varying light intensity that is converted into an electrical signal by a Photodetector.
- Traditional Phono Cartridges (MM/MC): Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) phono cartridges employ electromagnetic induction. In MM cartridges, the stylus movement causes a magnet to move near a coil of wire, generating a voltage. In MC cartridges, the coils are attached to the stylus and move within a magnetic field.
2. Key Components:
- Optical Phono Cartridges: Require a dedicated phono stage that powers the LED and provides ‘amplification and equalization‘. They also need a photodetector to convert light intensity changes into an electrical signal.
- Traditional Phono Cartridges: Need an amplifier to boost the relatively weak signal from the cartridge to line level. MM cartridges generally output a ‘higher voltage‘ than MC cartridges, but MC cartridges are known for their ‘lighter weight’ and potentially ‘better detail retrieval‘.
3. Weight and Inertia:
- Optical Phono Cartridges: Optical phono cartridges generally have ‘lower moving mass‘ compared to traditional cartridges. The absence of magnets and coils in the moving part of the cartridge contributes to a lighter, ‘more responsive stylus assembly‘. Here, there was a concern that its lighter weight may cause it to skip easily especially at warped record,…so far I have yet encounter such instance,…generally their tracking force between 1.6g and 2.2g, with some models specifically citing 1.7g or 2.1g as optimal.
- Traditional Phono Cartridges: MM phono cartridges tend to be heavier due to the ‘magnet assembly‘. MC phono cartridges are generally ‘lighter‘ than MM but still involve the ‘movement of coils‘.
4. Sound Quality:
- Optical Phono Cartridges: Optical phono cartridges are often lauded for their clarity, detail, and low distortion, due to the ‘absence of magnetic resistance‘ and the ‘low moving mass‘ of the stylus.
- Traditional Phono Cartridges: Both MM and MC phono cartridges can offer excellent sound quality. MM cartridges are known for their ‘punchy sound and higher output‘, while MC cartridges are favored for their ‘detail and accuracy‘.
5. RIAA Equalization:
- Optical Phono Cartridges: Optical phono cartridges often require ‘less RIAA equalization‘ (a standard equalization curve used in vinyl playback) due to their amplitude-based output, which can lead to a more ‘pure and coherent‘ sound.
- Traditional Phono Cartridges: Traditional phono cartridges, both MM and MC, need ‘more RIAA equalization‘ to compensate for the frequency response characteristics of their design.
IN SUMMATION,
Optical Phono Cartridges offer a different approach to vinyl playback with potential benefits in terms of…
(1) Detail, (2) Clarity, and (3) Lower Moving Mass.
However, they require a…
(4) Dedicated Phono Stage/ Equalizer and…
may have…
(5) Different Sonic Characteristics…
compared to traditional MM and MC cartridges.
FINAL WORD IS THAT THE OPTICAL PHONO CARTRIDGE (AND SYSTEM) IS WORTH HAVING!