Since 2013, Japanese manufacturer DS Audio has been producing unique phono cartridges that belong to a new category: optical cartridges. Unlike moving magnet and moving coil designs, these cartridges do not rely on coils and magnets. Instead, they use LEDs and photocells. While the concept of an optical cartridge is not new—brands such as Toshiba, Trio, Kenwood, and Sharp were already developing photoelectric cartridges in the 1970s—the technology at the time was not advanced enough for commercial success.
Conventional cartridges operate via electromagnetic induction, with coils moving within a magnetic field. In contrast, an optical cartridge detects stylus vibrations using a beam of light. The result is an extremely low moving mass and the absence of magnetic inductive forces, which together deliver an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, minimal distortion, and a highly simplified, clean signal path. An optical cartridge must be paired with an equalizer. DS Audio offers a dedicated equalizer for each cartridge, although the equalizers are interchangeable for upgrade purposes.
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