Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2

Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 phono preamplifier

• For MM, MI & MC
• XLR and RCA inputs and outputs
• balance control
• Impedance adjustable while listening
• Discreet dual mono design
• Split passive RIAA and DECCA equalizations

Project "High End"

The Phono Box RS2 is the ultimate reference-class phono preamplifier with unique, continuous impedance control during monitoring. In this way, you can track in real time which termination impedance is perfect for your pickup. The electronics are fully symmetrical from input to output, fully discrete and use no operational amplifiers.

Discrete circuit

A discrete circuit consists of individual discrete electronic components. These can be "passive" components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as "active" components - in our case, transistors. The opposite of this would be an integrated circuit that uses op amps in the signal chain. Standard integrated circuit phono preamplifiers have tens or hundreds of components. In comparison, discrete designs use hundreds to thousands of components. This results in an extended and more costly design process, but also in the best sound. Countless hours of listening tests have shown that even the best op amps don't sound as neutral, natural, dynamic or alive as a good discrete circuit.

Fully balanced signal routing

The Phono Box RS2 uses a fully balanced signal routing. Balanced transmissions consist of a 'hot' and a 'cold' (also known as + and -) signal. Both the plus and minus signals effectively carry the same musical information, albeit rotated 180°. A balanced amplifier can now extract the final musical information from the +/- signals and subtract any interference that may have been added along the transmission. In a true, fully balanced amplifier like the Phono Box RS2, the + and - sections of the left and right channels are treated separately, which of course also requires twice as many amplifier trains. This means: Twice as much space is required on the printed circuit board and twice as many electrical components. The reward: no noise, no interference and the best possible signal-to-noise ratio.

Split passive EQ

The Phono Box RS2 uses split passive equalization for the RIAA and DECCA curves. It is more expensive to develop and implement, but ensures the most accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve. Split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and less deviation from the ideal RIAA or DECA curve.

Extremely versatile setting options

Hardly any other phono preamplifier in the world offers such good opportunities to set the gain as the Phono Box RS2: from 40dB (voltage gain by a factor of 100) to 70dB (voltage gain by a factor of 3690) are possible. At these high gains, a phono preamplifier must be incredibly noise-free in order to realize these high levels of gain uncompromised.

The load impedance can be continuously adjusted via a potentiometer. You can seamlessly adjust impedance during playback and immediately assess the impact.

Pickups inherently suffer from small imbalances between the left and right channels - frustrating when you know the playback chain is otherwise working absolutely perfectly. To correct this, the Phono Box RS2 introduces a new feature that is absolutely rare in this price range. With a potentiometer you can adjust the exact center of the soundstage in the range of 2dB left or right - and your audiophile's paradise is restored!

Steel/Aluminium housing

The Phono Box RS2 features a steel case covered by bolted aluminum panels. This construction brings very good rigidity and excellent isolation against disturbances.

finishes

• Available in silver or black

Technology for good sound

• Fully balanced signal routing - no operational amplifiers
• True dual mono design
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs & outputs
• Purely passive RIAA and DECCA equalization
• Unique continuously variable input impedance and balance adjustment while listening
• Minimal noise and extremely low distortion levels
• High quality & elegant switches
• Metal housing protects against vibration and interference

option

• The optional Power Box RS Uni 1-way linear power supply unit (for one device) or the optional 4-way Power Box RS Uni 4-way linear power supply unit (for up to four devices) available.

Technical specifications

• Input impedance: Fixed 10 ohms or 47k ohms, variable 10 - 1000 ohms
• Capacitance switchable: 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400pF
• Gain MM : RCA: 40, 43, 46, 50dB (+6dB at XLR)
• Gain MC: RCA: 60, 63, 66, 70dB (+6dB at XLR)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: MM (40dB): 89dB A-weighted (10mV);
• MC (60dB): 79dB A-wt. (1mV)
• Distortion: < 0.0015% (MM 40dB, 1kHz); < 0.0024% (MC 60dB, 1kHz)
• RIAA deviation: within 0.4dB/20Hz - 20kHz
• Subsonic Filter: 20Hz / 18dB/octave
• Input: RCA & XLR
• Output: RCA & XLR
• Power adapter: 20V/3A DC; 110 - 240V, 50/60Hz
• Current consumption: max. 350mA DC
• Dimensions W x H x D (D with sockets): 206 x 72 x 200 (230) mm
• Weight: 1600g without power supply