Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

While the Master 3 effectively replaces the Master 1 [HFN Dec '17] there are clearer parallels with the newer 'third generation' Grand Master [HFN Feb '21]. The stiff, square-section diamond cantilever, reduced moving mass and dual-mono LEDs/photocells benefit almost all areas of the pick-up's mechanical and electrical performance. While a +5dB boost in photocell output is claimed for the Master series, the 2.7V output (1kHz/5cm/sec) of the equaliser is purely a function of the designer's choice of gain as are the six tailored 'bass contours', three rolling off from a notional 50Hz and three from a lower 30Hz. Output 1 [rear panel, left] provides a +3.6dB/+1.9dB boost at 20Hz in 30Hz/50Hz settings [black/grey traces, respectively, Graph 1], while Output 3/50Hz [dotted grey trace] with its –4.4dB/20Hz bass roll-off is suited to systems with big, reflex-loaded speakers.

The 'peaky' HF response of +5.3dB/16kHz [Graph 1, dotted stereo trace] is seen with all the Master series and this extended bandwidth is also reflected in the ~6% stereo THD peak being pushed up to 9-10kHz here [Graph 2, below]. The dual photocells hold stereo separation to 29-30dB through the midband while the bonded diamond stylus/cantilever combination offers a 24° VTA with a moderately 'stiff' 11cu compliance, suiting mid/heavy effective mass arms. Despite this, the Master 3 offers the most secure tracking of any DS Audio cartridge yet, clearing the 80µm groove pitch (75µm on the right channel) at a 2.1g downforce and only just nudging over 1% THD on the maximum +18dB test track (re. 0dB at 315Hz/5cm/sec). PM