DS Audio Grand Master + EMM Labs DS-EQ1
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
- Start date
it has a high retail margin and no phono. So you pay high to be part of an exclusive club. But at the price of the Grand Master the club feels a bit like hotel California
I thought of not replying as you clearly have quite a dislike, and I respect that but I will beg to disagree. I was almost going to get out of vinyl, after 45 years, this really revitalized my interest. I was not joining any club, and any of my friends, musical or audiophile, have been astounded by its performance.
whatever get´s you back to vinyl is a good thing....
Could not disagree more.....The new DS 003 "system" is easily the best vinyl playback that's been in my system.....
Ever....it's the opposite of mechanical and plastic...not going to get into details, however I am thoroughly enjoying mine.
Cheers....
Soundstage measured the DS-EQ1 and the DS 003 Equalizer!
DS-EQ1's measurement data:
www.soundstagenetwork.com
DS-003 Equalizer measurement data:
www.soundstagenetwork.com
DS-EQ1's measurement data:
SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - EMM Labs DS-EQ1 Optical Phono Preamplifier Measurements
DS-003 Equalizer measurement data:
SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - DS Audio DS 003 Optical Phono Preamplifier Measurements
I want to weigh into this debate as I bring both the benefit of my ears and a comparative experience. As an owner of the DS003 and equaliser I have also /b'd it in a dealers ultra high end system against a well known traditional and romantic Japanese cart brand at over twice the price.
The DS003 produces outstanding sound, with huge images and timbre. The 'top to bottom' coherency, size and fullness of instruments along with 3-d imaging was easily superior with the main difference being the string sounds being palpably richer and fuller in its rival, but especially in the bass there was no question around the DS 003 performance. It gave nothing away in tonality to its rival with both match for warmth and tonal colour. There is nothing 'mechanical' or 'plasticky' or even remotely 'digital' about the sound as others here have suggested.
I have no doubt there are other brands that do various things 'better' or more to 'preference', but at this price point especially, there is outstanding allround ability. Certainly I can endorse both Mr Kessler's and Mr Valin's comments on the DS 003 as being accurate to my experience. On my system I felt there was significant run in time and it benefits from playback with bass heavy tracks to speed this up.
The DS003 produces outstanding sound, with huge images and timbre. The 'top to bottom' coherency, size and fullness of instruments along with 3-d imaging was easily superior with the main difference being the string sounds being palpably richer and fuller in its rival, but especially in the bass there was no question around the DS 003 performance. It gave nothing away in tonality to its rival with both match for warmth and tonal colour. There is nothing 'mechanical' or 'plasticky' or even remotely 'digital' about the sound as others here have suggested.
I have no doubt there are other brands that do various things 'better' or more to 'preference', but at this price point especially, there is outstanding allround ability. Certainly I can endorse both Mr Kessler's and Mr Valin's comments on the DS 003 as being accurate to my experience. On my system I felt there was significant run in time and it benefits from playback with bass heavy tracks to speed this up.
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I think some of the members on this site should take it upon themselves to compare the following 3 cartridges in a shoot out, as perhaps they occupy the uppermost echelon in cartridge sound innovation, a comparison I have the most curiosity about Feel free to add to this list if you disagree.
1. DS Audio Grandmaster
2. DaVa Reference
3. Grado Epoch 3.
Regards,
WickyMelb
1. DS Audio Grandmaster
2. DaVa Reference
3. Grado Epoch 3.
Regards,
WickyMelb
I am much more interested in Dava, basic or reference Vs vdh strad in a horn based system, and then any one of them against a vyger red sparrow in a horn based system. I will do it too. I have my gut about those but need to verify.
in a cone or planar system I have zero doubt I will prefer the Dava
Not sure how the DS occupies uppermost echelon especially as it restricts choice of phono, which IMO is a silly thing to do to an analog phile
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I've been waiting for somebody to come out with a tube DS Audio decoder. It looks like DS Audio did it themselves!
When we at Dr Vinyl realized the sonic advantages of this technology, we started contacting several of the best minds in tube design, but with the exception of Modwright ,that at least gave it a try ,all of them either did not gave it the importance or did not feel that it would “catch on”. Three years later everything has fallen into place, our European and Oriental designers have move forward on the design of Eq for this technology.
DS just came out with a $2750 Cartridge eq kit ,that paired with a good table and arm ,makes having a super front end a much less costly option.
DS just came out with a $2750 Cartridge eq kit ,that paired with a good table and arm ,makes having a super front end a much less costly option.
@thekong Have either of you, or anyone, played lathe cut mono records with your GM EX?
Played mono fold downs of stereo cuts?
I've heard that they sound good. But as good as a true mono cartridge I don't know.
I am curious if the GM EX can eliminate the need for a 2nd tonearm with an Infinity(or any) Mono cartridge. Thx
Are you curious? I was told by a DS Audio dealer that while the cartridge is stereo that several of his clients with large mono record collections have told him that mono records sound great with the GM EX. "Best they've heard". I did a double take.
I am not really into mono records, and only have a few of them! However, I have friends who have relatively large mono collections, so I will try to borrow some from them to try
Fantastic! And certain mono records can be a revelation in sound!I am not really into mono records, and only have a few of them! However, I have friends who have relatively large mono collections, so I will try to borrow some from them to try
Try to get a pre 1958 mono lathe cut mono record, not only mono fold downs....Looking forward to your thoughts. And maybe theirs too! Thx.
I know this is a bit off-topic from where the thread has drifted, but I thought I would pass on my thoughts about the DS Audio Grand Master and EMM Labs DS-EQ1. I have had the combination for over 3 years and had one update at EMM Labs a few years ago. I live in Calgary, where they are located, so its fairly straightforward. Recently I had the chance to get another update and got it back in my system the other day. Because of the ease of change, I had listened to the older version just before I took the unit in.
I have to confess having been an audiophile, and having had a store, it takes a lot to surprise me when it comes to equipment changes. I really don’t have that many moments when I say X is so much different than Y. While there are often improvements, It’s usually more subtle.
Not on this occasion.
I thought the original combination was an enormous upgrade on my Vinyl set up. I thought it way better than my previous moving coil combination. In fact, I didn’t really see how it could get a lot better but I was wrong.
The new EMM Labs DS-EQ 1 is just startling. There is the same blackness of background as before but the vitality of the music is remarkable. The bass has a real grunt to it, but not exaggerated. Everything seems so lifelike.
I have three or four albums. I’ve listened to for years when I’m listening to a system change, and in each case, I’ve never heard them better reproduced.
I have been thinking for a while that I might see about new speakers, or perhaps even a new amp, but after listening to this, those have gone on the back burner.
Of course this is just my opinion. I’m not saying it’s the best, there are much more impressive systems out there, but I think it’s well worth a listen.
Kudos to EMM Labs.
I have to confess having been an audiophile, and having had a store, it takes a lot to surprise me when it comes to equipment changes. I really don’t have that many moments when I say X is so much different than Y. While there are often improvements, It’s usually more subtle.
Not on this occasion.
I thought the original combination was an enormous upgrade on my Vinyl set up. I thought it way better than my previous moving coil combination. In fact, I didn’t really see how it could get a lot better but I was wrong.
The new EMM Labs DS-EQ 1 is just startling. There is the same blackness of background as before but the vitality of the music is remarkable. The bass has a real grunt to it, but not exaggerated. Everything seems so lifelike.
I have three or four albums. I’ve listened to for years when I’m listening to a system change, and in each case, I’ve never heard them better reproduced.
I have been thinking for a while that I might see about new speakers, or perhaps even a new amp, but after listening to this, those have gone on the back burner.
Of course this is just my opinion. I’m not saying it’s the best, there are much more impressive systems out there, but I think it’s well worth a listen.
Kudos to EMM Labs.
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I wasn't sure that veering away from the Grand Master EQ/Phone Stage/PSU would yield greatness but now I'm going to check out the Meitner's which might give me the price wiggle room to upgrade to a Grand Master cartridge!
I know I'm becoming a broken record but have you played any mono records on the DS-3? I guess it won't be true mono as a true mono cartridge but I've been curious.
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