I bought the DS-003 cartridge and decoder upon your initial review, and I can confirm. I will NEVER go back to MM/MC cartridges. After having the DS-003 in my system for about a year I noticed that I really couldn't relax when listening to music before. There was always something like "do I hear inner groove distorsion?" or "is this vinyl really this noisy?" or even "this must be a bad pressing?". Now I just sit back, relax and enjoy! The music is so beautifully presented and with this "calm" as you say. I just love it! BTW, your woods look much like ours here in Sweden :)

I’m so glad you made this video. I too spend a lot of time explaining away the misinformation. As you know, I have the E1 and 003. Once I take delivery of the W3 I’ll probably move the E1 to the record shop for playback. And I’d happily wager I’ll have to explain, inform and reassure people it’s still Analogue. It’s great to see DS gaining traction as the word spreads. I was so bowled over by the E1, I had reservations as to how much better the 003 could be. But it is. How do you better awesome?? Yet despite the E1’s incredible presentation, somehow the 003 takes it beyond next level. As with all DS cartridges, you can’t unhear it. The trickle-down approach, as well as the backwards compatibility across the entire brand is also a huge plus! Great episode DK. Super informative. Hopefully a few viewers who may have been on the fence do the right thing and pull the trigger on a DS.

Well done Danny ! Thank you. I am looking forward to the HighEnd Munich next month. Aki will show us the new DS GrandMaster 3 !!! Viele Grüße GEORG

Fantastic video as always. Love the backdrops and info. Cheers from classy San Diego.

Very intriguing, especially that they always say that the biggest improvement will always come from the front end😊

Thanks for this. It intrigued me and got me to search out an audition of the DS003. Wow!!!. It completely blew away my Ortofon Cadenza Blue MC and my ref phono amp. It's not just lower noise floor, it's the whole frequency spectrum, especially mid range and bottom end compared to the Ortofon. You are spot on - No going back. Time to save up money.

I have the same experience (SL-1000R and 003) with the difference of Meitner EQ2 to SoulNote E-2. The difference between the DS 003 decoder and the E-2 was unbeliavable and a complete surprise for me - and I don't know € for € how they compare since I can add two MC/MM arms to the E-2, what I know is the E-2 plays so much better the DS 003. All in all, that exactly how you said - after hearing the DS Audio system, I'll never go back. (The vertical light helps a lot finding the groove for a music middle record. The entry level is to bright to my taste and the jump from one mirror to two mirrors was more than big.)

Running the DS 003 cartridge with the Meitner DS-EQ2 here - fantastic combo. Definitely brings out what the record has in the grooves.

very good explanation , congratulations for the dedication !

Nice video Danny. Hope you are enjoying your new location. I was swayed also to the D3 once I saw your review when you were still in the US. I have followed their progression from the beginning and bought the 003 when a dealer friend signed on as a dealer. I will be getting the W3 next week I hope. I have owned so many MC's over the years up to an Ortofon A95, sold them all but kept a Benz Glider II and some MM like the Ortofon LVB250 and my Grace F9's, I set a SL1200GR just for those, just for a change once in a while. Please visit a certain group in the USA on another platform. ;)

I have had the 003 and Equilizer for about 3 weeks Best source I have heard And I have heard lots! !!!

Hi Danny. What a beautiful place. Such a juxtaposition to nearby Ukraine. After listening to your review I'll have two 😊. If I can find a nearby distributor I will definitely have a listen. Thanks for sharing. Greg

Amazing Review , I wish I could afford it for my Technics SL1200G,.

On it!

I heard DS-audio at BAV2024. I screwed my ears and don't want to go back.😅

Danny, are you "pro-divorce"? Because you're about to start a huge wave when people like me start buying stuff like this! I can only imagine how good it sounds and I would love to get up to that level .... but it's going to cost me more than money.