Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2
€1,599.00
Fully balanced, fully discrete phono preamp of the highest class
The Phono Box RS2 is the ultimate phono preamplifier of the highest class. It is fully balanced from the input to the output. Electronics are fully discrete, no op-amps are in use and it uses split passive RIAA and DECCA equalization.
Discrete Circuitry
A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as “active” components, which in our case are transistors. The opposite to this would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain. Countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown us that even the very best Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid. Standard phono pre-amplifiers with integrated circuits have a few tens or hundreds of components, but discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by comparison. That makes for an extended and more costly design process, but results in the best sound for your money.
Fully Balanced
The Phono Box RS2 employs a true fully balanced design principle. Balanced transmissions consist of a hot and a cold (also called + and -) signal. Both the + and – signal chains effectively carry the same musical information. A true balanced amplifier can now extract the final musical information out the +/- signals and subtract, remove, all noise that could potentially be added along the transmission. In a true, fully balanced amplifier, like the Phono Box RS2, the + and – sections of both the left and right channel are treated individually, which doubles the amplifier sections by 2 as a result.
Split passive EQ
The Phono Box RS2 uses split passive equalization for both of its RIAA and DECA curves. This is more costly to design and implement but ensures the most accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve. Split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA or DECA curve.
Extreme cartridge loading options
No other phono-preamp in the world has such fine options of setting the gain like the Phono Box RS2. Very large ranges from 40dB (voltage amplification by 100x) up to 70dB (voltage amplification by 3690x) are possible.
Load impedance can be set continuously via potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems. It allows you to seamlessly adjust the impedance during playback and immediately assess the impact of different loading options.
Cartridges, by nature, suffer from small imbalances between the left and right channels. To correct this the Phono Box RS2 introduces a new feature that is absolutely rare in this price category. A potentiometer allows you to adjust the exact center of the sound stage in ranges of 2dB to the left or right.
Steel/aluminium chassis
The Phono Box RS2 has a steel chassis which is covered by screwed aluminium panels. This construction brings very good rigidity and splendid isolation against interferences.
Power Box RS2 Phono – linear power supply upgrade
An outboard power supply with linear construction is even better, because it can offer much cleaner power. When you want to manufacture such clean and really high-end power supplies, you have to use a transformer with a very low core saturation and preferably with shielding between primary and secondary windings. Obviously, such a transformer becomes larger than one would expect. Also, much more expensive. That is why such a power supply requires a cabinet the size of the Phono Box RS2 itself. Our Power Box RS uni 1- & 4-way will be another step up for your Phono Box RS2 performance.
Features
- MM & MC capable
- Fully balanced, true dual mono design
- Fully discrete hardware design – NO Op-amps!
- Fully passive RIAA & DECCA equalisation
- Balanced XLR & unbalanced RCA In & Outputs
- Unique continously variable input impedance loading and channel balance control to match every cartridge to 100% (adjustment even while playing)
- Superior low noise / low distortion
- Metal casing protects against vibration and interference
- Available in silver or black
Technical Specifications
| Input impedance | Fixed 47kohms, variable 10 – 1000 ohms |
| Load capacity switchable | 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 pF |
| Gain MM: | RCA: 40, 43, 46, 50 dB (+6dB using XLR) |
| Gain MC: | RCA: 60, 63, 66, 70 dB (+6dB using XLR) |
| Signal to noise ratio | MM (40dB): 89dB A-wt (10mV); MC (60dB): 79dB A-wt (1mV) |
| THD | < 0,0015% (MM 40dB, 1kHz); < 0,0024% (MC 60dB, 1kHz) |
| RIAA accuracy | within 0,4dB/20Hz – 20kHz |
| SubsonIc | at 20Hz with 18dB/octave |
| Inputs | RCA & XLR |
| Outputs | RCA & XLR |
| Power supply | 20V/3A DC; 110 – 240V, 50/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 350mA DC < 1 watt standby |
| Dimensions W x H x D (with sockets) | 206 x 72 x 200 mm |
| Weight | 1600 g without power supply |
Downloads
Manual [pdf]
Product Information [pdf]
Reviews
“This is a sophisticated phono stage that easily gains our World Award for the best of 2021″
Review
“Exceptional level of performance“
U.K., 10.2021
• This has been constructed as fully dual mono from front to back.
• Input and output are via RCA and XLR and the RS2 builds on the original by moving to a discrete output stage with no op amps in the circuit.
• Befitting a flagship, user adjustability is broad. Options include continuously variable impedance adjustment as well as multiple capacitance and gain settings.
• Build quality is exceptionally good.
• Even at the standards of the price point, this is an admirably transparent device.
• Extremely deep notes have immense weight and scale here and there is a convincing three dimensionality to the presentation that is not tied to simple scale.
• A little sweeter and more refined across the top end.
• Its transparency is genuinely impressive, even judged at the price.
• A reference-level phono stage that offers an exceptional level of performance and very flexible spec.
Review
Ed Selley
The Phono Box RS2 has no equal
UK, 03.2021
• The RS2’s contribution was to reveal her violin as a strongly embodied instrument, one with a feeling of weight and size, as well as tease out all the textural detail within its body and strings. I got to hear a large and fruity rendition.
• There was a sense of strong dynamic push to an orchestra comprising humans with instruments! The RS2 resolved the dynamics of this performance nicely, making for an engaging listen and my listening notes talk about “rich insight into strings”.
• Kick drum strikes were weighty and well resolved; I again got to hear the timbral properties of the instruments better than usual. It was a sophisticated sound.
• Vocals were just that: rich and full sized in front of me.
• The rolling drum work in a live recording moving our listening room nicely due to easily expressed dynamics, but there was also atmosphere from the studio microphones. The brass section blared out, individual instruments being discernible.
• Using the balanced XLR inputs, all the strengths of the RS2 were magnified. There was greater clarity and a sense of precision timing.
• The RS2 was able to resolve their massive bass power and pace, making for dynamite dynamics.
• For those interested in running a fully balanced turntable to eliminate hum and noise this is the one. Great sound quality and easy to use as well.
Review
Noel Keywood
“So present and convincing it gave me goosebumps”
• On the MC rig, the RS2 seemed neutral, detailed and lively. It sounded clean, almost pristine.
• The sound with the MM setup was more midrange-focused, with good detail and musicality. I heard what I was used to hearing on familiar recordings – just more of it.
• The RS2 helped reveal a lot of information the cartridges unearthed from the grooves.
• Vocals and violin – indeed all the instruments – sounded rich, full, and substantial, yet studio-natural without oversaturated colors.
• The degree of detail seemed to increase, as did realism and clarity. The musicians‘ placement seemed to grow more spacious and specific.
• The accordion sounded realistic in timbre, its bellows sustaining and shifting. The pace and rhythm conveyed tango‘s tension.
• An increased sense of air gave most instruments pleasing purity, without excessive politesse. Piano key strikes sounded clean and refined.
• Bass notes sounded plump and punchy with more energy and impact on the attacks.
• I heard a trill I hadn‘t heard before. The instruments seemed better separated, with more air and expansion between them. The presentation felt more grounded and solid with better dimensionality, yet freed up with lively energy.
• Changing settings „on the fly“ was satisfying. Instant gratification.
• The RS2 could be viewed as an analog equivalent response to those desires for system tweaking: You can tailor your recordings‘ sound „on the fly“ without DSP.
Review
Julie Mullins
“There‘s more than one way to design a highly accurate, low-noise phono preamp.“
U.S.A., 03.2022
• The Phono Box RS2 is a good-sounding phono stage with options that can be tweaked to find each person‘s ear-favorite loading and gain for a wide array of cartridges.
• The records sound “like they should” with equal or near-equal tonal balance and stereophony.
• Reverb tails and image depth was also “as it should sound.”
• It also shows there‘s more than one way to design a highly accurate, low-noise phono preamp.
• It sounded more alive and naturally present with the Pro-Ject preamp.
• In a couple of cases, I pulled out the reference lacquers and was even more impressed with the balance of impact and detail the Phono Box RS2 delivered.
• If you have a few cartridges in rotation and you want to spend some time dialing in a favorite sound profile, it‘s a great option.
• The balanced outputs, all-discrete circuitry, highly accurate RIAA reproduction, and a low noise floor make it a good value and a solid choice for all manner of record playing.
Review
Tom Fine
“The mix of features and musicality is great”
Germany, 04.2021
• The frequency response is so linear that you don‘t have to worry about distortion.
• Noise and hum are not an issue despite the maximum possible gain of 70 dB.
• The small box with the numerous customization options happily holds back with its own sonic input and at the same time manages to ensure that there is no lack of emotionality through a high degree of suppleness.
• We never had the impression that anything was lacking or that the phono box was adding .
• Even in projecting depth of space, the Pro-Ject Phono Box did not let down, and explored the dimensions of the room excellently.
• The Phono Box RS2 can claim the title of versatility-world-champion. It will become a permanent star in the analog heaven for music lovers and record listeners with an interest for experimentation.
• A technological and feature miracle in a compact package at a competitive price. Symmetrical circuitry, almost infinite customization options in combination with very good sound make it a price-performance heroine.
Review
Michael Lang
“Wonderfully light on its feet, clean and differentiated…”
Germany, 11.2021
• Three buzzwords characterize the RS2: fully balanced design, stepless MC matching and discrete circuitry.
• And really all record fans will welcome the sensitive balance control.
• A perfect tonal match for every MC cartridge is easliy found since differences are clear and unmistakenly heard due to the very high resolution of the Phono Box RS2.
• The Phono Box plays wonderfully light-footed, clean and differentiated, but never sterile, bright or harsh.
• The quite complex symmetrical design circuit does entirely without ICs within the signal path.
• The Phono Box preserves qualities such as high dynamics, enthusiasm and tension of the phono signal with the greatest care.
Review
Bernhard Rietschel
“Exceptionally good“
Germany, 01.2022
• … sure that the device will also stand up to even higher-quality playing partners and will show off their advantages to their full potential. This says it all about the RS2‘s price-performance ratio.
Review
Hartmut Tielitz
“Total control in symmetry and dual mono”
France, 05.2022
Review
Vincent Cousin
“This is magical!”
RU, 02.2022
• I have not yet experienced such a range of correction options.
• The Phono Box RS2 has my fullest respect.
• The balance control, my friends, is a one-of-a-kind which, to my understanding, is not present in any other phono-stage in the world!
• The case is very solidly made – a pleasure to touch.
• The Phono Box RS2 plays more accurately and elegantly, spreading the sound stage out evenly and not missing any nuances.
Review
Michael Borzenkov
“The Phono Box RS2 turned out to be an excellent product with exceptional functionality”
Poland, 04.2021
• The tested preamplifier showed how extremely energetic, explosive, strong, and aggressive the recording is.
• I got the impression that the Austrian preamp was able to attack quickly and cancel out the decay just as fast while retaining the energy in the sustain.
• The cymbals had an attack, drive, and impact on both records – everything that gets the music flowing when it needs emotional thickening.
• The component from the Austrian manufacturer also has a very deep soundstage.
• The scaling is good. The closer the sound source is to the stage, the higher the volume.
• The voice is also rounder than with the reference preamp.
• So we have a slightly warm presentation, excellent dynamics, good imaging, and very successful sound scaling.
• I think that the surprising mix of warmth, openness, suppleness, and dynamics of the preamplifier tested is rooted in the very high resolution.
• We will hear the “breath” of the music, it will flow, but it will also have energy.
• On the one hand, the preamp showed the depth of the sound, its smoothness, but did not erase the sibilants in the singer‘s voice, nor did it pull back the long reverbs, without which this album would be much poorer. It also showed deep and dense bass.
Review
Wojciech Pacuła
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