What is an optical cartridge?

While moving magnet and moving coil cartridges work on the principles of electromagnetic induction, an optical cartridge uses a beam of light to read stylus movement. This aims to make the cartridge lighter and more agile, and eliminate the friction that comes with using magnets and coils.

How does an optical cartridge work?

An optical cartridge uses a beam of light to read stylus/cantilever movement allowing the cartridge to be light and agile, while also eliminating magnetic frictional force caused by magnets and coils.

How does the optical cartridge work?

The optical cartridge belongs to the “amplitude proportional” method where the output signal depends on how much distance the stylus is moved, and is not frequency dependent. As such, it only requires a very simple, high quality circuit and uses passive RIAA equalization. Hi-Fi News: “What can I say?

How low can an optical cartridge detect a signal?

(In theory an optical cartridge can detect signals as low as 1Hz.) What has changed in the DS 002 from the original “Night Rider” (which was essentially Toshiba’s optical cartridge from the 1960s updated with present-day materials) is two-fold.

Why do I need a phono preamp with an optical cartridge?

A phono preamp requires complex circuitry to compensate and correct velocity proportional output signals in addition to RIAA equalization. The optical cartridge belongs to the “amplitude proportional” method where the output signal depends on how much distance the stylus is moved, and is not frequency dependent.

What is the difference between DS audio optical and moving coil cartridges?

In addition, DS Audio claims that its optical cartridge offers a superior mechanical/electrical interface. Conventional moving-coil or moving-magnet cartridges read the velocity of a stylus’ vibrations, so the strength of their output signal depends on how fast the stylus moves.