PROJECT Phono Box RS2

The Phono Box RS2 is the latest phono preamplifier in the highest class. It is fully balanced from input to output. The electronics are totally discrete, no optical amplifiers are used, and it uses passive RIAA and DECCA equalization.

discrete circuits.

A discrete circuit is made up of electronic components that are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These can be "passive" components, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, as well as "active" components, which in our case are transistors. The opposite 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 best Op-Amps don't tend to be as neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid. Standard phono preamplifiers with ICs have a few tens or hundreds of components, but discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by comparison.

Fully balanced.

The RS2 Phono Box employs a true fully balanced design principle. Balanced transmissions consist of a hot and a cold signal (also called + and -). Both the + and - signal strings effectively carry the same musical information. A true balanced amplifier can now extract the final musical information from the +/- signals and subtract, eliminate, all the noise that could potentially be added along the transmission. In a true fully balanced amp like the Phono Box RS2, the + and - sections of both the left and right channels are treated individually, doubling the amp sections by 2 as a result.

Passive Split EQ.

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

Extreme cartridge loading options.

No other phone preamplifier in the world has such fine-grained gain adjustment options as the RS2 Phono Box. Very large ranges from 40dB (100x voltage amplification) to 70dB (3690x voltage amplification) are possible.

The load impedance can be continuously adjusted using a 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 soundstage in 2dB ranges left or right.

Steel/aluminum chassis.

The RS2 Phono Box has a steel chassis covered by bolt-on aluminum panels. This construction provides very good rigidity and splendid isolation against interference.

Power Box RS2 Phono - linear power supply upgrade.

An external power supply of linear construction is even better, because it can deliver much cleaner power. When you want to make power supplies that clean and really high end, you have to use a transformer with very low core saturation and preferably with shielding between the primary and secondary windings. Obviously, such a transformer becomes larger than one would expect. Also, it is much more expensive. That is why such a power supply requires a cabinet the size of the RS2 Phono Box itself. An external linear power supply for the Phono Box RS2 will also power the Pro-Ject's turntables and will be a further step up in turntable and Phono Box RS2 performance. (Available soon!)

Features:

MM & MC capable

Fully balanced, true dual mono

design Fully discrete hardware design - NO operation lamps!

Fully passive RIAA and DECCA equalization

Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs

Continuously variable input impedance loading and channel balance control to match each cartridge 100% (adjust even during playback)

Superior low noise / low distortion

The enclosure shield protects against vibration and interference

Available in black

Input Impedance Fixed 47kohms, variable 10 - 1000 ohms

Switchable Load Capacity 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 pF

MM Gain: RCA: 40, 43, 46, 50 dB (+6dB using XLR)

MC Gain: RCA: 60, 63, 66, 70 dB (+6dB using XLR)

MM Signal-to-Noise Ratio (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 and XLR

Outputs RCA and XLR

Power supply 20V/3A DC; 110 - 240V, 50/60Hz

Power consumption 350mA DC < 1 watt standby

Dimensions W x H x D (with plugs) 206 x 72 x 200 mm

Weight 1600 g without power supply