In common with all DS Audio’s proprietary
pick-ups, the DS-E1 employs a derivative of the
technology it developed along with Microsoft
some 20 years ago – the optical computer mouse.
Inside the DS-E1’s alloy body a miniature LED is positioned between the stylus
tip and cantilever fulcrum, its light output modulated by an extremely fine
optical plate, just 100μm thick, fixed to the rear of the cantilever. This shines on
a photocell which generates an electrical current, directly mirroring the passage
of the stylus through the analogue groove.
Traditional MM/MCs are velocitysensitive
devices whose voltage output increases with groove excursion and
increasing signal frequency. By contrast, DS Audio’s photo-electric conversion
is sensitive only to the amplitude of the movement of the stylus. Nevertheless,
while this system has the potential to offer a lower moving mass – stylus/
cantilever/optical plate – than the stylus/cantilever/magnet or coils of a MM/MC
design, it still requires a proprietary phono stage [inset picture] to power-up the
LED and correctly compensate for the LP’s RIAA replay characteristic.
The DS Audio DS-E1,
like its far dearer siblings, requires a
dedicated energiser that also provides
RIAA equalisation [see PM’s boxout, p55].
All models have corresponding energiser
boxes, but these are interchangeable.
Where DS Audio’s models differ is in
cantilever and stylus type, as well as
body and illumination colours for easy
identification.
The DS-E1’s prowmounted
lamp glows green and its
body is a semi-matt silver.
This commonality is a boon when
swapping from one model to the next
(for retailers or reviewers!) because
the 8.1g weight, overhang, VTA and
tracking force of 1.7g are identical
for every model. Thus, what you
are paying for are differing body
materials, better cantilevers/styli and
superior energisers
Technical Specifications:-
DS-E1 optical cartridge:-
Body material: Aluminium
Cantilever: Aluminium
Stylus: Elliptical
Needle pressure: 1.6-1.8g (1.7g recommended)
Signal output: Photo-electric conversion
Output signal level: > 50mV
Channel separation: > 24dB (@ 1kHz)
Weight: 8.1g
DS-E1 equaliser / phonostage:-
Inputs:RCA
Outputs: RCA x 2
Rated output voltage: 500mV (@ 1kHz)
Impedance: 120Ω
Preamplifier input impedance: > 10kΩ
Dimensions: 20 (w) x 7 (h) x 16 (d) cm
Weight: 1.4kg