DS Audio HS-001 Headshell

Japanese engineering at its very best now turned from optical cartridge systems to the headshell itself

The new HS-001 solid headshell is designed to provide a superior fitting for all phono cartridges, not merely DS Audio’s own high-performance optical models.

The headshell’s design hones in on the point of contact with the tonearm and improves upon the conventional approach in two keys ways. Firstly, the HS-001 features both an upper and a lower vertical pin structure, instead of the more common single vertical pin on the top side of the connector. The result of this is equalised pressure on the electrical contacts and an even application of force across the connection to the tonearm.

Additionally, the whole contact surface is then further anchored by a domed headshell washer, custom-developed by DS Audio. When applied at the point of contact with the tonearm, the washer provides even greater stability and resonance control.

The HS-001’s body is precision-machined from a solid billet of duralumin, an ultra-light yet ultra-rigid aluminium alloy that delivers excellent resonance control.