This be my third [3rd] review for DS AUDIO (JAPAN) a well known specialised design, manufacture and proponent of Optical Phono Cartridge and Equalizer system. Through some searchings at the Net, I discovered that the technology started ‘with PHILCO‘s “Beam of Light” record player in the 1940s and later, with notable developments in the 1960s and 1970s by Japanese manufacturers like TOSHIBA, SHARP, TRIO and KENWOOD‘. Since my first exposure to DS AUDIO at MUNICH HIGH END 2016, I was simply fascinated and unabashedly requested from Mr.Tetsuaki Aoyagi (commonly known as Aki-san) for a review sample. I remembered he sent me the DS AUDIO W-1 Optical Phono Cartridge and Equalizer to review, and the completed review was published here in 2017 (which was actually published earlier at another site). Fast forward to 2019, Aki-san sent me their then flagship Master 1 Optical Phono Cartridge and Equalizer system,…which was reviewed very positively here (even Aki-san came over to my Audio Den for a listening session then).
As of 2025, DS AUDIO has appointed AUDIO PERFECTIONIST (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD (incorporated in 1995) as their Sole Distributor here.
AUDIO PERFECTIONIST have long been established as an audio specialist boutique in MALAYSIA, that represented some well known audio brands; MCINTOSH, BØRRESEN, AAVIK, ANSUZ ACOUSTICS, AXXESS, SOULUTION, AUDIOVECTOR, CARY AUDIO, HARMONIC RESOLUTION SYSTEMS, J SIKORA Turntables, RUSSOUND, SOLIDSTEEL, VICOUSTICS, LUXMAN, MY SONIC LAB, KORDZ, ANALOGMAJIK and lately, DS AUDIO. They have even started another company, AUDIO MAESTRO at SINGAPORE to represent some of the above audio brands.
The head honchos at the company, Mr.Kenny Lim and Mr.Issac Ho (the duo), being an audiophile since their teens and a vinylphile eversince, found themselves an unforgettable/ memorable experience with the DS AUDIO Optical Phono system as early as 2016.
Then in 2023, the duo were invited to the headquarter of AUDIO GROUP DENMARK (AGD) at Aalboeg, DENMARK for meeting and training. There, fate has it that they got to listen to the DS AUDIO Optical Phono cartridge on a THALES turntable at one of AGD‘s demo audio system,…deeply impressed with the sound quality of DS AUDIO,…coupled with words of encouragement from Mr.Michael Børresen (of AGD) that DS AUDIO could be the “Future of Analogue Playback“,…and that AGD would be incorporating input for Optical Phono cartridge in their phono stages.
Shortly, their exposure to DS AUDIO was rekindled at MUNICH HIGH END 2024. There the duo met up with Aki-san and expressed their fondness for the sound quality of DS AUDIO Optical Phono system. Following that, their SINGAPORE company, AUDIO MAESTRO participated with another audio dealer that represented DS AUDIO at the SINGAPORE AUDIO VISUAL SHOW 2024, where they got to listen and experience, first hand the DS AUDIO Grand Master Optical Phono cartridge and Equalizer system,…
and were Deeply Convinced that DS AUDIO could be the “Future of Analogue Playback“.
When I learnt of their appointment as the sole distributorship in MALAYSIA for DS AUDIO, I was glad that the brand has landed in the hands of some known passionate and committed audiophile/ vinylphile businessmen. Being the newly appointed, AUDIO PERFECTIONIST held a launch event for DS AUDIO at their showroom. I attended that event and enjoyed some of DS AUDIO‘s latest offerings. There, I met Aki-san and he told me that what I have at my audio system were from their first [1st] and second [2nd] generations products (W-1 and Master 1 respectively),…
so much have Improved over the years,
…and that I should listen to DS AUDIO third [3rd] generation Optical Phono Cartridge and Equalizer system!
Listened to the third [3rd] generation of Optical Phono cartridges and Equalizers from DS AUDIO at that showroom and (even) in an unfamiliar audio system/ setup, I could appreciate the improved sound quality, especially at the new level of Quietness and Resolution thus Detail.
However, what really caught my attention there was DS AUDIO‘s First all Tube Equalizer, the TB-100,
and their latest Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge (actually my eyes were set at their Flagship, Grand Master Extreme Optical Phono cartridge with a Single Piece Diamond Cantiver/ Stylus,…however, that unit has to be sent to HONG KONG HI END AUDIO VISUAL SHOW 2025). Within a couple of weeks, Issac personally, sent both components to me for review.
The TB-100 Tube Equalizer (retails at Ringgit Malaysia RM100,000) was designed to work with any DS AUDIO Optical Phono cartridge and intended to provide an alternative sound/ characteristic/ coloration; Rich, Warm, and Dynamic sound. It features a Twin-Mono Design with Independent Grounds and Power Transformers for each channel, Minimizing Crosstalk and creating a more Immersive Soundstage.
TB-100 Key Features and Design:
Tube-Based Design: The TB-100 utilizes vacuum tubes to provide a warmer, more organic sound compared to DS Audio’s solid-state offerings.
Twin Mono Structure: Independent grounds and power transformers for each channel minimize crosstalk and enhance clarity.
Wideband Transformer Input: Converts the audio signal from the optical cartridge’s photoelectric cells into a voltage signal, ensuring precise phase alignment.
Flat Frequency Response: Achieves a claimed flat frequency response within -1dB from 10Hz to 70kHz.
Low-Noise Power Supply: A dedicated regulated power supply minimizes noise and ensures stable voltage to the cartridge.
Dual Output Options: Offers both standard RIAA-compliant output and an output with a subsonic filter at 20Hz.
Bass Roll-off Options: Includes a toggle switch for selecting between primary 30Hz and 50Hz bass roll-offs.
Initially, I just wanted to listen to the TB-100 Tube Equalizer, without the participation of the Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge. Therefore, I swapped the first [1st] generation Equalizer DS AUDIO W-1 with the third [3rd] generation TB-100 Tube Equalizer and connected it with the previous DS AUDIO flagship Master 1 Optical Phono cartridge in my audio system. The audio system consisted the THOMAS SCHICK 12″ Tonearm on his modified GARRARD 301 Turntable, PILIUM AUDIO ARES Preamplifier, LINN KLIMAX 500 SOLO, MAGICO M2 Loudspeakers, mainly cabled by SKOGRAND CABLES and VERMOUTH AUDIO Cables, power conditioned by AUDIOQUEST NIAGARA 7000, SHUNYATA HYDRA V-RAY, AUDIOTECH by YF FONG, FRANK ACOUSTICS ULTRABANKs and POWERBANKs, Grounding from TELOS AUDIO and ENTREQ, tunning devices from TOMBO AUDIO, and etc.
Here, the initial impressions of the TB-100 Tube Equalizer were already Quieter, more Control, Articulate, Resolute and of higher Resolution thus more Detail (than the W-1).
After but a day, curiosity got the better of me, I decided to set up the third [3rd] generation DS AUDIO Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge (retails at Ringgit Malaysia RM40,000) to the TB-100 Tube Equalizer, and left that combo throughout the review session. The DS AUDIO Master 3 was considered a High End Optical Phono cartridge that featured independent LED and Photodetector arrangements for each channel, a 99.9% pure Beryllium shading plate, a Diamond Cantilever with a Micro Ridge stylus, and an increased Output Voltage compared to previous models.
Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge Features:
Optical Technology: The Master 3, like all DS Audio cartridges, utilizes optical technology. Instead of relying on magnetic fields and coils, it uses a light source (LED) and a Photodetector to convert the stylus’s movement into an electrical signal.
Independent LED and Photodetector Arrangement: This design allows for optimized positioning of the optical system for each channel and contributes to a higher output voltage (70mV) and improved channel separation compared to earlier models.
99.9% Pure Beryllium Shading Plate: The shading plate, which modulates the light to create the audio signal, is now made of Beryllium, offering improved rigidity and reduced mass compared to the aluminum used in previous generations.
Diamond Cantilever with Micro Ridge Stylus: The Master 3 features a diamond cantilever, a material known for its rigidity and lightness, combined with a Micro Ridge stylus, a profile known for its precise tracking ability.
Increased Output Voltage:The Master 3 boasts an output voltage of 70mV, a significant increase from the 40mV of the Master 1, resulting in a better signal-to-noise ratio and greater musical clarity.
Reduced Impedance:The internal wiring is 1.6 times thicker than in the previous generation, which reduces impedance.
Rigid Body Design:The cartridge body is designed for maximum rigidity, ensuring stable and accurate tracking.
ENTER THE THIRD [3rd] GENERATION OPTICAL PHONO SYSTEM.
Throughout my years living with DS AUDIO W-1 and Master 1 Optical Phono systems, I found them to be Trouble Free, Reliable, Ease of Use and immensely Enjoyable.
There was No audible Hum or Anomaly,…but Good Music
(and of course, there were still audible ‘clicks’ and ‘pops’ inherent in some records). There were times, some guests even argued that the DS AUDIO Optical Phono system must have utilised some sort of ‘digital manipulations‘ in order to present such ‘Quietness‘ and ‘Stability‘ in the music presentation. There was no surprise but as expected that the Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge and TB-100 Tube Equalizer (the said combo) were of all the aboves and more so (especially) at the ‘Sound Quality‘ department.
Here, listening to the voiceation of Ms.Eve Wong, I appreciated the said combo’s aural presentation…
which was surprisingly Balance in Tonality, Natural and Organic…
(there was no exaggeration at any particular frequency bandwidth) that even allowed so much recorded Resolutions thus Details to pass through,…and with added flavours/ colorations of Tube Warmness, Richness and Seductiveness.
Hence, to me, presented her Vocal with the ‘Right Recipe‘!
Here, I would not mind any aural coloration but welcomed it as long as it made me believed that I was…
listening and feeling the Actual human voiceation,
…without losing resolutions thus details as per recorded.
Even the Resolutions thus Details of the Control; ‘Vibrant, Vibrato, Punctuation, Plug and Stop‘, at the guitar by the guitarist, Mr.Billy Ho was presented with (obvious) Weight Contrast,…as if that
instrumentation was Vividly played next to me.
The above was one of my all time favorite and heavily played jazz album that introduced me to the talents therein. The said combo…
may not be the ‘Fastest and Brightest‘ sounding analogue source,
however they sure made up by presentating each instrument with tonality that was Balance, Natural, Organic, Warm, Rich (in Dimensions and Bloom), and with the recorded Resolutions thus Details.
In addition to the abovementioned Weight Contrast, the Dynamic/ Energy Contrast of each Note played was not amiss,…
but was presented with its intended Volume, Power and Energy.
Apparently so, through the drumming of Philly Joe Jones,…and the bass played by Paul Chambers. Some of the stronger Notes were Fully Delivered and Felt, even at my listening seat (about 11‘ away from each loudspeaker).
The Resolutions thus Details of each piano Note played by the pianist, Red Garland was…
Articulately Delineated to its respective Finality.
As for the main man and instrument, Art Pepper and his saxophone, I would say that the said combo did not present the ‘Glare and Brightness’ associated with the metallic instrument,…instead presented the instrumentation with added Dimensions, Depth and Breath,…
thus sounded ‘Almost to a Touch‘.
Here, at the above Direct Cut Vinyl record, the said combo have IMPRESSIVELY…
delivered the Dynamic/ Energy from each instrument in the band with Clear Separation,
therefore indicated a positive attribute of the music presentation, where the dynamic range and energy contributions of each instrument in the band were Distinct and easily Discernible. That suggested a well-balanced mix where…
individual instruments were not muddying each other,
allowing their Unique Character (Dimensions, Delineation, Weight and Anchorage) and Energy (Contrast) to be appreciated,…all the way to not only my Ear but also my Chest!
Here, it also indicated a clear sense of…
Space and Separation within a three [3x] Dimensional Soundstage, and Soundscape that was filled with Atmosphere…
that extended to the end of my Audio Den (of course, I did played at a higher than normal volume).
To me, the total aural presentation was almost ‘an entire band having a Blast of a Time playing in my Audio Den‘,…
it was that Immersive and Engaging, thus most Entertaining!
If I did not know better, I would argue that the said combo was specifically designed and built to present…
the Granduer, the Scale, the Weight, the Power, the Dynamic and the Immersiveness of a complete Orchestra!
Of course, there were the presentations of the Air and Atmosphere of the Recording Venue.
However here, I could even enjoy…
the Movement of the Air which was energised by the Play of the entire Orchestra.
I could experience the Sound Waves created by the orchestra, particularly from the stringeth instruments,…to the Dynamic and Expressive Playing of the orchestra, that ultimately contributed to the Richness and Depth of the presentation.
That experience reminisced of what could only be had at a…
‘LIVE‘ ORCHESTRA PRESENTATION!
Moreover, that indicated the clear Delineation of the Groups of musicians/ instruments,…their Play, Participation and Contribution to the entire music presentation,…
resulted the ‘Flow of the Music‘ to be more Articulated, Appreciated and Enjoyed.
RECIPE FOR AURAL PLEASURE.
Here, the DS AUDIO combo of Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge and TB-100 Tube Equalizer, presented the sound quality that easily convinced me of…
Actual Hearing…
the Human Voice, the Material Instrument, the Number in the Band and Granduer of the Orchestra at the respective Recording Venue‘s Soundstage and the Soundscape’s Atmosphere,…and
Palpable Feeling…
the Sensation, Scale, Weight, Energy and the Flow of the total performance.
At that level of sound quality, I believed that both the Master 3 Optical Phono cartridge and TB-100 Tube Equalizer were designed, voiced and manufactured to a…
High Technical Standard…
by the Masters at DS AUDIO, and in accordance to a specific…
Recipe for Aural Pleasure.
Finally, I have to admit that DS AUDIO‘s third [3rd] generation Optical Phono cartridges and Equalizer have…
Improved and Bettered their previous generations by a ‘LONG MILE‘,
as indicated earlier by Aki-san, and that…
I am enthusiastic of DS AUDIO being the “Future of Analogue Playback“.