DS Audio Grand Master + EMM Labs DS-EQ1

[Addicted to hifi]

There is a LED at the front of Grand Master. I was told that this LED is purely decorative.

The main LEDs are located at the back of the cartridge. The light you see is reflection from vinyl surface. View attachment 83893

Thanks very much.

 

[joeling]

Koetsu matches well with FR64S which is a heavy arm. Grand Master is only 7 grams, it should match with a light arm. Thales is not light enough. You are not revealing the full potential of Grand Master.

Hmm, just checked that the compliance of the GM is lowish medium at 11/14 while the Thales Statement is high-ish medium effective mass at 24g. Should be quite compatible right ?

 

[Solypsa]

24g tonearm effective mass is high mass overall. Sure the FR / Ikeda arms are into the mid 30s but they are on the far end of the scale...

Never used a DS cart so not commenting on the synergy question at hand...

 

[kimurastanley]

I calculated the resonance frequency to be around 8.5 Hz. The desired range should be 7-12Hz so I think still ok.

The optimal is around 10Hz. So the desired tonearm effective mass is around 15g.

 

[TLi]

Hmm, just checked that the compliance of the GM is lowish medium at 11/14 while the Thales Statement is high-ish medium effective mass at 24g. Should be quite compatible right ?

As I said, not Thales is not light enough for Grand Master.

For cartridge in this caliper, correct compliance matching pays real dividend. In fact the weight of cartridge gives you an idea the arm that it matches. Light cart is for light arm, etc.

 

[gian60]

As I said, not Thales is not light enough for Grand Master.

For cartridge in this caliper, correct compliance matching pays real dividend. In fact the weight of cartridge gives you an idea the arm that it matches. Light cart is for light arm, etc.

And grand master is a good match with Sat?

 

[TLi]

And grand master is a good match with Sat?

SAT is the only really good light weight tonearm in the market. It matches perfectly with Grand Master

 

[Mike Lavigne]

SAT is the only really good light weight tonearm in the market. It matches perfectly with Grand Master

Durand Tosca (Gimbal design very similar to the SAT) seems perfect for my 8 gram (very light weight) Etsuro Gold. i view it as a 'really great' light weight tonearm. jazdoc uses the Etsuro Bordeaux (also 8 grams) on one of his Tosca's. Jonathan Tinn (distributor of darTZeel, and other products) has run a DS Audio on his Tosca.

Wave Kinetics NVS Turntable, Durand Tosca Tonearm, DS Audio DS Master 1 Optical Cartridge, EQ/Phono Amp, DS Audio ION-001 - Positive Feedback

Impressions: The Wave Kinetics NVS Turntable, Durand Tosca Tonearm, and DS Audio DS Master 1 Optical Cartridge and EQ/Phono Amp with the DS Audio ION-001

positive-feedback.com

i have 2 Tosca's and each has an Etsuro Gold. i have no experience with the DS Audio cartridges. Mik in the UK (member 108CY) has had DS Audio in his system , had (has?) an SAT in his system, and owns a Tosca; you could ask him about it.

 

[Cableman]

Koetsu matches well with FR64S which is a heavy arm. Grand Master is only 7 grams, it should match with a light arm. Thales is not light enough. You are not revealing the full potential of Grand Master.

This is correct. I do have the Thales arm but only the DSAudio W2. I informed the manufacturer of DSAudio that although it can be done it’s a difficult match and I wouldn’t recommend.

 

[Cableman]

Thanks very much.

The W2 has a red light the entry level E1 has a green light

 

[TLi]

Durand Tosca (Gimbal design very similar to the SAT) seems perfect for my 8 gram (very light weight) Etsuro Gold. i view it as a 'really great' light weight tonearm. jazdoc uses the Etsuro Bordeaux (also 8 grams) on one of his Tosca's. Jonathan Tinn (distributor of darTZeel, and other products) has run a DS Audio on his Tosca.

Wave Kinetics NVS Turntable, Durand Tosca Tonearm, DS Audio DS Master 1 Optical Cartridge, EQ/Phono Amp, DS Audio ION-001 - Positive Feedback

Impressions: The Wave Kinetics NVS Turntable, Durand Tosca Tonearm, and DS Audio DS Master 1 Optical Cartridge and EQ/Phono Amp with the DS Audio ION-001

positive-feedback.com

i have 2 Tosca's and each has an Etsuro Gold. i have no experience with the DS Audio cartridges. Mik in the UK (member 108CY) has had DS Audio in his system , had (has?) an SAT in his system, and owns a Tosca; you could ask him about it.

I thought Durand Tosca is regarded as medium weight arm. It matches well with Etsuro Gold, no doubt, but it should be better with a lighter arm.

I used Etsuro Gold for six months before buying DS Audio Grand Master. Etsuro Gold sounds better in SAT than Phantom Elite in my system. I also have Lyra Altas Lambda SL, it sounds worse in SAT than Elite. Compliance matching seems to be the main factor.

Grand Master is even lighter than Etsuro Gold. It will not perform to its best without a high quality light arm.

By the way, Mike, you should really try Grand Master. You will be surprised with what it can do.

 

[gian60]

SAT is the only really good light weight tonearm in the market. It matches perfectly with Grand Master

Many thanks

 

[Cableman]

As I said, not Thales is not light enough for Grand Master.

For cartridge in this caliper, correct compliance matching pays real dividend. In fact the weight of cartridge gives you an idea the arm that it matches. Light cart is for light arm, etc.

I use a Thales AV arm with my DS Audio cart. It took a while to set it right, not an obvious match i grant you, but now it absolutely sings.

 

[soundspace]

Yes DS-Audio cartridges are super interesting revolutionary products. We will have to see the long term challenges, does the equalizer compensate for the decay of the light source, are there optical components that can fog up as any glass does? Durability, and service requirement will be crucial. For now we know it works well for the first month.

 

[TLi]

The stylus tip of my Grand Master has broken off after one month. The repair took more than 4 weeks and costed quite a lot.

The profile of Grand Master stylus tip is particularly long and slender. It is easier to break than others. Users have to be extra careful in handling it.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Not under warranty? Sheesh!

 

[TLi]

Not under warranty? Sheesh!

I was given a discount, about 50% off the standard price, that’s all

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I was given a discount, about 50% off the standard price, that’s all

sorry to hear that. ouch!

i did that a few years ago to my GFS after after owning it for 6 months or so, not warranty. sold me a brand new one for about 40% of retail. can't say it was not fair. could have been worse.

 

[gds7368]

I've had my Grand Master cartridge and demo DS-EQ1 equalizer set up for over a week now, and it's been a game-changing part of my audio journey. The vinyl removes a layer hiding the sound, leaving a clear picture of the music, the musicians, and the soundstage. Very natural but still detailed, wonderful imaging, completely non-fatiguing. Clearly beats my transport (which in turn clearly beats my music streamer).

This cartridge/equalizer has already converted me into a vinyl-first music listener, though I can still *enjoy* good discs and some streaming. My business partner (primarily listens to 30IPS 1/2" R2R) came over to listen last week, his summary: "Reference quality, especially with good vinyl. You could live with this system for the rest of your life." Another audiophile friend came over yesterday, his text afterward: "That phono experience broke my brian. Unreal!"

I have a DS Audio equalizer (I think DS-W2) arriving this week so I can compare the two. Perhaps the first equalizer shoot-out? I'll report back soon.

RonR and MikeL: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I appreciate your thoughtful and helpful conversations along the way.

I can't believe I waited this long to add vinyl to my system.
I'm thrilled!

 

[Ron Resnick]

I've had my Grand Master cartridge and demo DS-EQ1 equalizer set up for over a week now, and it's been a game-changing part of my audio journey. The vinyl removes a layer hiding the sound, leaving a clear picture of the music, the musicians, and the soundstage. Very natural but still detailed, wonderful imaging, completely non-fatiguing. Clearly beats my transport (which in turn clearly beats my music streamer).

This cartridge/equalizer has already converted me into a vinyl-first music listener, though I can still *enjoy* good discs and some streaming. My business partner (primarily listens to 30IPS 1/2" R2R) came over to listen last week, his summary: "Reference quality, especially with good vinyl. You could live with this system for the rest of your life." Another audiophile friend came over yesterday, his text afterward: "That phono experience broke my brian. Unreal!"

I have a DS Audio equalizer (I think DS-W2) arriving this week so I can compare the two. Perhaps the first equalizer shoot-out? I'll report back soon.

RonR and MikeL: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I appreciate your thoughtful and helpful conversations along the way.

I can't believe I waited this long to add vinyl to my system.
I'm thrilled!

Congratulations!!! You can't imagine how happy I am for you!

I love it when an audiophile adds vinyl to his/her system and finds the sound of it revelatory! Enjoy the sound of analog!