04-22-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree xandcg Rio de Janeiro, BR. Posts 219 Joined on 09-07-2014 Post #: 1 Post ID: 26115 Reply to: 26115 Optical Cartridge: ground breaking, snake oil, or what? Hello, I've just found out about the DS Audio's Optical Catridge which on their literature looks amazing but I have no means to sanely evaluate it from the technology point of view, and so I bring to the folks smarter than me to evaluate. DS Audio also published the circuit of the specific phono equalizer it needs, HERE. They published some videos on You Tube: If this is already hard to evaluate regular cartridges things get dirty when you need a purpose designed phono stage for it... Cheers! Think for yourself, do not be sheep.

04-22-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree Paul S San Diego, California, USA Posts 2,797 Joined on 10-12-2006 Post #: 2 Post ID: 26116 Reply to: 26115 Ticks and Pops: Good News, or Bad? Some version of this idea has been around for many years, never seems to get off the ground. Got to say, given the process from recording, through mastering, LP manufacturing, and playback, it's a wonder we can even recognize the original performance, as it is! Who knows how well this might be done? I haven't heard anything "serious from it yet; but what do I know? Pretty funny hearing the usual "ticks and pops" before the music started! Paul S

04-22-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree xandcg Rio de Janeiro, BR. Posts 219 Joined on 09-07-2014 Post #: 3 Post ID: 26117 Reply to: 26116 Possibly good. In the first moment I thought it was another variant of the "laser turntable", but in the way it works the "ticks and pops" are supposed to be in there since they are part of the recording, in a way or another. I believe the single great thing about this technology is removing mechanical noises related with regular cartridges. EDIT: just reviewing my last understanding I think a specific phono stage is not really necessary but actually a SUT of sorts. EDIT: side subject, this DS Audio's Vinyl Ionizer may be interesting given the practical design. Think for yourself, do not be sheep.

04-24-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree rowuk Germany Posts 461 Joined on 07-05-2012 Post #: 4 Post ID: 26118 Reply to: 26117 Can't get my head around this We know that RIAA preemphasis is applied before the groove is cut. What is in the groove is NOT flat in response. Conventional playback regardless of MM/MC/MI needs to EQ that preemphasis out to get playback flat. The EQ has multiple corner frequencies and getting them "right" is critical. The reason for the preemphasis was to be able to get bass in the smallest practical groove. Now supposedly, we can playback without EQ. Where did the preemphasis "go"? How does an LDR accomplish a multi EQed signal? Want to bet that the LED dies before the stylus... Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

04-24-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree Paul S San Diego, California, USA Posts 2,797 Joined on 10-12-2006 Post #: 5 Post ID: 26119 Reply to: 26118 It does need EQ Robin, your point is well taken, but I don't think they are trying to circumvent the laws of physics here. I did not read it yet, but Alexandre did provide a link that gets one in the vicinity of an explanation: https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EQ-infover1.02.pdf Clearly, this EQ system is based on the RIAA curve embedded in the LP grooves, and just as clearly it might be adapted to other recording curves. Not saying I understand how it operates so precisely, to begin with, but I have heard that optical readers are integral parts of high speed manufacturing processes that are just as amazing, in use all day, every day, around the world. Best regards, Paul S

04-24-2021 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree xandcg Rio de Janeiro, BR. Posts 219 Joined on 09-07-2014 Post #: 6 Post ID: 26120 Reply to: 26117 Some review. There is a review of some UK magazine: https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HFN_DS-Audio-DS-Master-1_lowres.pdf EDIT: I found this other review that brings some more information about the construction of the cartridge. In this case, of the Grand Master one: https://www.hifinews.com/content/ds-audio-grand-master-cartridge Think for yourself, do not be sheep.