Pro-Ject Drops New Line of Products

MSRP $1999

• 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

The Phono Box RS2 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. An EQ has to be handled and implemented very carefully and split passive EQ is the most expensive way to do it, but also the only way to go if you want the most accurate sound.

The Phono Box RS2 features the most advanced controls to be seen on any phono preamp in this price class! It is an incredibly powerful tool for high-end enthusiasts and professionals who are looking to dive deep into all the settings and features the Phono Box RS2 has to offer. On the other hand, the top notch build quality, the clean circuit board design and the technology in use will let you enjoy your turntable and all it has to offer, even without digging too deep into the advanced settings. Purists can effortlessly enjoy the best sound while experts and tech-enthusiasts will find their perfect high-tech phono preamp.

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

Stereo Phono cartridge’s electrical output are inherently balanced and many high end turntable provide the option to retain the signal integrity via balanced output wiring (this is often by utilizing a 5 pin connector on the tonearm, which can accept either stereo “RCA” connectors or professional level XLR cables. By taking advantage of the balanced signal, it is possible to preserve the electrical integrity of the very low level signal the cartridge generates.

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. In a true, fully balanced amplifier, like the Phono Box RS2, the + and – sections of both the left and right channel are tre-ated individually, which doubles the amplifier sections. You need twice as much space on the circuit board, twice as many electrical components, and be four times as careful with planning your circuit board layout! Very careful component matching is critical!

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 equa-lization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA or DECA curve.

Gain

The Phono Box RS2 provides very large ranges from 40dB (voltage amplification by 100x) up to 70dB (voltage amplification by 3690x) are possible. You can see the big increase in amplification between 40dB and 70dB and this is why a phono preamp must be incredibly quiet (a fully balanced design makes a big difference here) to handle amplification levels this high. The Phono Box RS2 is able to do this just perfectly. You can perfectly match it with a wide variety of cartridges and integrate it into the rest of your Hifi system, matching the volume levels accurately to other sources like CD players or streaming devices.

Impedance

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. This is necessary to find just the right load impedance for your cartridge. No other manufacturers implement this feature in this extreme way!

Balance trim function

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 are 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. This function can be switched off in order to keep the signal path as short as possible, or if it is not needed. For example, Ortofon declares that their very popular cartridge 2M Red has a channel balance of 1,5dB at 1kHz. Their very expensive MC cartridge Anna Diamond has a channel balance of, still, 0,5dB. These small differences can be accurately balanced by the Phono Box RS2.

Practically, there are no MM or MC cartridges that the Phono Box RS2 can’t handle.

The Phono Box RS2 is powered from an external adap-ter which is rated 20V/3A. If you have an amplifier where there is a 3500x voltage gain and the input sensitivity is a few hundred micro-volts (0,0001 Volt) you will definiti-vely want to keep it as far away as possible from all sour-ces of interference which can harm the vulnerable signal from cartridge. That is why it is important to keep all the parts which can radiate electromagnetic fields out of the amplifier range. This is the reason why we are using an outboard power supply. Due to legal requirements, this power supply must be a switch mode type with guaranteed stand-by mode power consumption of less than 0.1watt.

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. Low core saturation decreases radiation of the outer electromagnetic field which can be inducted into sensitive circuitry. Shielding between windings work as a very efficient filter which effectively suppresses interference from mains. When it is combined with a DC-blocker which avoids the saturation of a core by DC current, the resulting filtration is even better. The mechanical vibration of the transformer is also reduced. It is critical that the transformer in use is also vacuum impregnated. 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. The location of the power supply shouldn’t be close to Phono Box RS2. Additionally, the Phono Box RS2 shouldn’t be exposed to big transformers in power amplifiers or other appliances which can cause electromagnetic interference either. Strong electromagnetic fields from big transformers in very close proximity can even penetrate the hea-vy metal/aluminum chassis of the Phono Box RS2. Even a chassis like this has its limits! The best arrangement is to keep the Phono Box RS2 as far away as possible from those harmful electromagnetic fields.

An external linear power supply for the Phono Box RS2 can also power Pro-Ject turntables and be another step up in turntable and Phono Box RS2 performance.

The Phono Box RS2 has a steel chassis which is covered by screwed aluminum panels. This construction brings very good rigidity and splendid isolation against interference. Working with hundredths of fractions of micro-volts, everything is playing its role.

Phono Box RS2 is available in silver or black.

Discrete MM/MC phono preamplifier

• Limited, exclusive edition of 500 pieces
• Audiophile Performance
• Chrome on Copper body
• No Operational Ampli iers used
• Audiophile-grade polystyrene capacitors
• Precise RIAA equalisation
• Switchable Subsonic ilter –18 dB @ 20Hz
• Switchable input impedance/capacitance
• Six adjustable gain levels
• Outstanding sound quality

Phono Box ultra 500 is like no other phono preamplifier in its segment. The “500” celebrates the 500,000th Phono Box that Pro-Ject shipped in early 2018. We marked this milestone creating a one-of-a-kind phono preamp.

Utilizing a copper clad enclosure body, for fantastic shielding against against high frequency interference. The copper chassis is then covered with a luxuriant polished chrome. This is one phono preamp that won’t want to hide behind a turntable!

The internal design utilizes a fully discrete, OpAmp less, design, which enabled us to realize an incredibly harmonuous sound.

On top of leaving out operational amplifiers we decided to use polystyrene capacitors, which significantly contribute to the high end sound Phono Box ultra 500 offers.

These capacitors are known amongst audiophiles as the holy grail for phono preamplifiers.

Discrete MM/MC phono preamplifier

• Audiophile Performance
• Fully discrete! No opamps used
• Audiophile-grade polystyrene capacitors
• Precise split RIAA equalization
• Switchable Subsonic filter –18 dB @ 20Hz
• Switchable input impedance/capacitance
• Six adjustable gain levels
• Solid metal casing protects from interference
• Outstanding sound quality

The Phono Box S2 Ultra is like no other phono preamplifier in its segment. The incredible success of our Phono Box Ultra 500, inspired us to introduce this marvelous sounding phono preamp into our regular S2 line. The solid metal casing protects against interference, a switchable subsonic filter is included as well as a wide range of adjustments to accommodate any cartridge.

We are offering a fully discrete, op amp less design, which enabled us to realize an incredibly harmonious sound.

In addition to eschewing operational amplifiers, we decided to use polystyrene capacitors, which significantly contribute to the high end sound of the Phono Box S2 Ultra. These capacitors are known amongst audiophiles as the holy grail for phono preamplifiers. The split RIAA equalization enables a pin-point accurate representation of the RIAA curve, an expensive design, but this maximizes both the accuracy of the equalization as well as the over audio performance.

Record broom

• Gently cleans your vinyl while playing
• Follows the grooves
• Heavy weight stand for secure standing
• Uni-pivot design
• Easy setup
• Elegant looks
• Durable materials
• Brush made of natural hair

Cleaning a record collection can be tiresome. There are many ways to de-dust your precious collection. All of them have one thing in common, you have to clean the records while they are put at rest. Sweep it E goes the other way. You can enjoy listening to your records while they are being cleaned. Simply place Sweep it E in one of the corners on your turntable and make sure that the brush is placed before the needle. This way the grooves will get cleaned right before the cartridge can pick up sound from it.

Sweep it E is made out of durable and resistant aluminium to make sure it lasts a long cleaning-life. With the heavy weight base it stands firmly on your turntable. The uni-pivot arm follows the grooves of your record and cleans them effectively. When you don‘t need Sweep it E you can simply put the arm on its dedicated arm-rest for a comfortable placement. The soft hair-brush guarantees that the records won‘t be harmed during the cleaning process.

Magnetically stabilized record broom

• Neodymium magnet stabilization
• Avoids the common record broom phenomenon known as “skating”
• Height adjustable
• Flexible placement
• Natural hair brush with extremly low electronegativity
• Cleans your records during playback
• Constructed in collaboration with Klaus Mick
• Available in silver and black metal finish

Record brooms have been around since the early 1970s. Some of them do a good job, some rather not. In many cases the brush rushes towards the middle of the platter, running out of sync with the tonearm. This phenomenon is known as skating. Recent developments aim to tackle this problem. Here the highly efficient neodymium magnet comes into play. These magnets are used to stabilize the record broom of the Sweep it S2. Sweep it S2 is constructed in collaboration with Klaus Mick and uses his patented technology to stabilize the record broom. Extensive theoretical and empirical research has been put into the development of this product.

The magnetic attraction between the neodymium magnet – based in the top part of the cylinder – and the [Fe] core/counterweight stabilizes the record brush.

Moreover, the distance between the neodymium magnet and the [Fe] core/counterweight is carefully chosen to ensure a specific magnetic stabilization force. As the aluminium of the brusharm is paramagnetic, it acts like an additional space between the neodymium magnet and the [Fe] core/counterweight.

Sweep it S2 is height adjustable within a range of about 1cm. The position can be locked with the set screw on the base. With this mechanism, it is possible to adjust the height of the arm of the record broom in order to align it horizontally with the platter. A correct horizontal alignment ensures the correct tracking force of about 6g.

The record broom can be placed in one of two left hand side corners of the turntable. The placement is depending on the type and shape of your turntable. At the optimal position the brush should align with the spindle (i.e. the center of the platter). Deviations (relative to the spindle) between 1,5 to 2 cm are well compensated by design of the Sweep it S2. Higher deviations can cause more drastic skating effects.