DS Audio with tube based dedicated phono equalizer

[iaxel]

DS Audio does not seem to get lots of love in the WBF crowd.
However, it cannot be denied that Aki (DS Audio’s designer) has brought something new with great potential.

I’ve owned a W2 with its matching equalizer back in the days. I liked it very much, but it was lacking that sense of musical flow.

I’m intrigued in trying the new generation (gen3) lineup and I also noticed DS Audio and other companies now have a tube based equalizer. Such a combination may bring out the best of both worlds (if done right).
The transparency, detail retrieval, dynamics and bass control of the DS Audio cartridge(s) with the harmonics and magic of tubes.

Has anyone tried this combination? E.g. DS Audio TB-100 tube equalizer, Phasemation new EA1500 phono with a DS Audio cartridge.

 

[JiminGa]

DS Audio does not seem to get lots of love in the WBF crowd.
However, it cannot be denied that Aki (DS Audio’s designer) has brought something new with great potential.

I’ve owned a W2 with its matching equalizer back in the days. I liked it very much, but it was lacking that sense of musical flow.

I’m intrigued in trying the new generation (gen3) lineup and I also noticed DS Audio and other companies now have a tube based equalizer. Such a combination may bring out the best of both worlds (if done right).
The transparency, detail retrieval, dynamics and bass control of the DS Audio cartridge(s) with the harmonics and magic of tubes.

Has anyone tried this combination? E.g. DS Audio TB-100 tube equalizer, Phasemation new EA1500 phono with a DS Audio cartridge.

Ken Kessler has a thorough review of the TB 100. at Hifi News. He loves the sound. The measurements are not as good as the DS Audio SS phono eqs. You'd have to try it.

 

[bonzo75]

DS Audio does not seem to get lots of love in the WBF crowd.
However, it cannot be denied that Aki (DS Audio’s designer) has brought something new with great potential.

I’ve owned a W2 with its matching equalizer back in the days. I liked it very much, but it was lacking that sense of musical flow.

W3 and master had the same issue.

 

[iaxel]

Ken Kessler has a thorough review of the TB 100. at Hifi News. He loves the sound. The measurements are not as good as the DS Audio SS phono eqs. You'd have to try it.

Thank you for the reference, but I’m not a fan of Ken Kessler (or HI-Fi News in general).

 

[iaxel]

W3 and master had the same issue.

Did you audition them with a tube based equalizer?

 

[bonzo75]

Did you audition them with a tube based equalizer?

No I meant with the previous DS like you mentioned with W2

 

[JiminGa]

W3 and master had the same issue.

To my ears the best flow actually comes from the M3. i listened to the M3 and Grandmaster ex side by side back and forth for over 2 hours and thought the M3 superior for this very reason.

 

[JiminGa]

Thank you for the reference, but I’m not a fan of Ken Kessler (or HI-Fi News in general).

that's fine. It might be helpful to look at its measurements vs. similarly priced SS M3 both have reviews with measurements on line. Everyone has an opinion about their value but it's something.

 

[Shuggie]

DS Audio does not seem to get lots of love in the WBF crowd.
However, it cannot be denied that Aki (DS Audio’s designer) has brought something new with great potential.

I’ve owned a W2 with its matching equalizer back in the days. I liked it very much, but it was lacking that sense of musical flow.

I’m intrigued in trying the new generation (gen3) lineup and I also noticed DS Audio and other companies now have a tube based equalizer. Such a combination may bring out the best of both worlds (if done right).
The transparency, detail retrieval, dynamics and bass control of the DS Audio cartridge(s) with the harmonics and magic of tubes.

Has anyone tried this combination? E.g. DS Audio TB-100 tube equalizer, Phasemation new EA1500 phono with a DS Audio cartridge.

Francois at Ana Mighty Sound has recently been playing with this combination of Phasemation EA-1500 and DS Audio optical cartridge

 

[iaxel]

Francois at Ana Mighty Sound has recently been playing with this combination of Phasemation EA-1500 and DS Audio optical cartridge

Thanks! Interesting. I have no contact with Francois, do you know anyone that can provide more details/impressions?

 

[gian60]

I had for one month W3,my friend italian distributor borrow me and compared in same system with Kondo IOXP,Kondo GE 10I with sut SFX and all cable LS 41 i dont know what preferred
Kondo little more natural but with some song the fast,transparency of W3 i preferred
Consider price list in Italy W3 14.500 euro and Kondo system 120K

W3 for the cost is unbeatable considering cart and phono,for me

 

[slowGEEZR]

I had for one month W3,my friend italian distributor borrow me and compared in same system with Kondo IOXP,Kondo GE 10I with sut SFX and all cable LS 41 i dont know what preferred
Kondo little more natural but with some song the fast,transparency of W3 i preferred
Consider price list in Italy W3 14.500 euro and Kondo system 120K

W3 for the cost is unbeatable considering cart and phono,for me

I know I'm enjoying my W3!

 

[iaxel]

I had for one month W3,my friend italian distributor borrow me and compared in same system with Kondo IOXP,Kondo GE 10I with sut SFX and all cable LS 41 i dont know what preferred
Kondo little more natural but with some song the fast,transparency of W3 i preferred
Consider price list in Italy W3 14.500 euro and Kondo system 120K

W3 for the cost is unbeatable considering cart and phono,for me

Thank you @gian60 !
Did you compare it to your ZYX Astro, Air Tight Opus 1 and VDH Grand Cru?

 

[gian60]

I compared only with Astro and prefer W3,Astro very natural and deep bass but lack dynamic and top high
Opus and GC are in another system and not compared

 

[iaxel]

I compared only with Astro and prefer W3,Astro very natural and deep bass but lack dynamic and top high
Opus and GC are in another system and not compared

Great input, thank you!