As the turntable experts explain, there is a reason why the new Phono Box RS2 is unusually more expensive than the average Pro-Ject products. The RS2 design is intended to be a reference class phono preamp, 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!," the company states.
The Phono Box RS2 was also designed to be an incredibly powerful tool for high-end enthusiasts and professionals who are looking to dive deep into all the settings and features that turntables have to offer. And that includes top notch build quality, the clean circuit board design and the built-in technology, which together all contribute to the best sound experience, while experts and tech-enthusiasts will find pleasure in playing with all the advanced settings to perfect their setups.
"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," the company states.
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.
As the company details further: "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 treated 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!"
The Phono Box RS2 also uses split passive equalization for both of its RIAA and DECCA curves. Again, this is more costly to design and implement. And more importantly, the Phono Box RS2 provides very large ranges from 40dB (voltage amplification by 100x) up to 70dB (voltage amplification by 3690x), while staying incredibly quiet (a fully balanced design makes a big difference here). This way, users can perfectly match their systems with a wide variety of cartridges, matching the volume levels accurately to other sources.
And load impedance can be set continuously via potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems. This allows users to seamlessly adjust the impedance during playback and immediately assess the impact of different loading options. As Pro-Ject adds, "This is necessary to find just the right load impedance for your cartridge. No other manufacturers implement this feature in this extreme way!"
To current the very small imbalances between the left and right channels in cartridges, the Phono Box RS2 also introduces a potentiometer that allows users 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. As Pro-Ject details in its literature, "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 adapter which is rated 20V/3A, allowing users to keep their systems as far away as possible from all sources of interference. This also allows users to add their own power supply if they so wish. The Phono Box RS2 has a steel chassis which is covered by screwed aluminum panels. This construction brings not only good rigidity, but also adds improved isolation against interference. Finally, the Phono Box RS2 chassis is available in silver or black.
www.pro-jectusa.com. | www.project-audio.com
