Phono Box RS2

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Phono Box RS2
The Phono Box RS2 sets out to be the ultimate phono preamplifier, in the highest class. It is a fully discrete, fully balanced dual-mono device with split passive RIAA and DECCA equalisation, resulting in a “no expense spared” phono stage designed to achieve the best possible sound. It is also extensively adjustable, suiting it to any system, environment or personal listening taste.

After countless hours of listening tests and many years of experience, the Pro-Ject design team took the decision to employ discrete circuitry in the Phono Box RS2. Discrete circuits involve no operational amplifiers (op-amps), and the result is a more neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid sound. They are more complicated to put together and involve a greater variety of components, but the result when utilised in a well-organised electrical layout is a true high-end sound.

Elsewhere the Phono Box RS2 circuitry is fully balanced throughout, meaning the + and – signal chains are treated individually for absolute signal integrity, resulting in less unwanted noise, errors, and interferences. It is because of this layout that the phono stage measures so well in its signal-to-noise ratio.

The Phono Box RS2 uses split passive equalisation for both its RIAA and DECCA curves. This is more costly to design and implement, but ensures the most accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve, and allows for better impedance matching.

Similar attention to detail is employed throughout the cartridge matching options. The Phono Box RS2 has eight optional settings for Gain, ranging from 40dB to 70dB. As 70dB gain involves a voltage amplification of many times the original cartridge signal, the quality of the electrical circuitry is paramount and needs to be incredibly silent – hence the other electrical design choices made. However, this range of choice makes for easier system set-up, allowing you to match the turntable output to other sources connected to your amplifier.

Load impedance can be manually adjusted via one of the two front-mounted potentiometers. This innovative system allows for seamless adjustment of the impedance during playback, anywhere from 10 to 1,000Ω, allowing you to find the perfect load impedance for your cartridge. Elsewhere there are also eight different options for capacitance – allowing for better cartridge matching with MM systems.

A final innovation for the Phono Box RS2 is the introduction of a balance function. Pick-up cartridges, by their nature, suffer from small imbalances between the left and right channels. To correct this, the Phono Box RS2 features a second potentiometer on the front panel to adjust the exact centre of the sound stage, ranging from 2dB to the right or left. This range of tolerance covers almost all good cartridges, and truly means the Phono Box RS2 is one of the most versatile phono stages on the market.

To maintain signal integrity, the Phono Box RS2 is supplied with an external 20V power supply. During 2021, Pro-Ject Audio Systems will also introduce a true high-end linear power supply upgrade that will work with the Phono Box RS2. The Power Box RS2 Phono will feature a purpose-designed transformer and circuitry to deliver a clean and stable 20V signal to the Phono Box RS2 and will also feature an extra 15V output for direct connection to a supported Pro-Ject turntable.

The Phono Box RS2 is an incredibly powerful tool for high-end enthusiasts and professionals who are looking to perfectly match their turntable and cartridge to the rest of their system. However, despite its many available features, because its core focus is on absolute signal integrity and a class-leading electrical design, it will also suit users who simply expect the best sound possible from their vinyl hi-fi system. Purists can effortlessly enjoy the best sound while experts and tech-enthusiasts will find their perfect high-tech phono stage – the Phono Box RS2 truly is the ultimate solution.

This product is no longer available to order and will not be coming back into stock.

In Stock products are those that are currently held in stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse. This stock status is updated regularly but is subject to change at very short notice.

Products that are Awaiting Stock are items that we would normally carry on stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse, but are currently unavailable. Chances are there is already more on the way, but if you would like a more accurate availability status please feel free to Contact Us.

Urgent order items are products that we do not normally carry on stock, but they are typically held on stock by our European suppliers. Depending on availability, we will seek to order these products quickly, when we have an enquiry. They can therefore be subject to quicker availability times than "Special Order" products.

Special Order items are those that are most often built to order. For these items, we tend to experience longer lead times as we negotiate them into the production line with our suppliers.

Phono Box RS2

RRP: £1399.00

The Phono Box RS2 sets out to be the ultimate phono preamplifier, in the highest class. It is a fully discrete, fully balanced dual-mono device with split passive RIAA and DECCA equalisation, resulting in a “no expense spared” phono stage designed to achieve the best possible sound. It is also extensively adjustable, suiting it to any system, environment or personal listening taste.

Options:

The Phono Box RS2

The Phono Box RS2 sets out to be the ultimate phono preamplifier, in the highest class. It is a fully discrete, fully balanced, dual-mono device with split passive RIAA and DECCA equalisation, resulting in a “no expense spared” phono stage designed to achieve the best possible sound. It is also extensively adjustable, suiting it to any system, environment or personal listening taste.

The Inputs And Outputs

Being the ultimate phono preamplifier. It is fully balanced from the input to the output. All electronics are fully discrete and no op-amps are used. Equipped with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs.

Employing 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.

Innovative Technology

The Phono Box RS2 uses split passive equalisation 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 equalisation 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. As an addition, the Phono Box RS2 has an all new feature, a potentiometer allows you to adjust the exact centre of the sound stage in ranges of 2dB to the left or right.

The Finished Product

The Phono Box RS2's construction brings very good rigidity and splendid isolation against interferences. The device can be purchased in either black or silver.

Noel Keywood , Hi-Fi World , March 2021

Keeping Balance

"An advanced and superb balanced-input phono preamplifier with deeply insightful sound. A must-have for top quality vinyl replay."

See full review

Ed Selley , Hi-Fi Choice , October 2021

Rather special

"Superbly refined and accurate sonics; features; solid build. A reference level phono stage that offers an exceptional level of performance and very flexible spec."

See full review


format_quoteHenley Says...

The RS line has been around for a few years now, stepping up the capabilities and materials with newer generations throughout this time. But one thing that has stayed true from the beginning is the solid, relaible and relatively reserved build; these devices fit aesthetically in almost any system thanks to a minimalist design, but also give a sense of peace of mind as to their quality thanks to a sturdy performance, whichever the model.

If you find your system lacking one aspect or another (CD input, a DAC or separate power supply etc), and are looking for a simply but audiophile solution, the RS line from Pro-Ject has you covered.

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Ross Moloney Technical Specialist

If you are interested in the Phono Box RS2 and would like to know more, or are building a high-end system and would like some advice, reach out to one of our expert team today.

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  • A phono stage takes the low-level electrical signal, generated by the pick-up cartridge on your turntable, and amplifies it to LINE level. When it's at LINE level, you can connect the outputs of your phono stage to any LINE or AUX input on your amplifier. If you do not have a phono stage, when you connect the turntable to your amplifier the signal will be very quiet, and if you turn it up to normal listening level it will sound distorted and noisy. 

    You do not need an external phono stage if...

    • There is a phono stage already built-in to your turntable (for instance with our Phono USB or RecordMaster turntables from Pro-Ject)
    • Your amplifier has a Phono input.

    In both of these cases, the built-in phono stage needs to support your pick-up cartridge (see below).

  • Yes. You need to buy a phono stage that suits your particular type of cartridge. If you have a Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, you need an MM-compatible phono stage. If you have a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, you need an MC-compatible phono stage. This is due to the different output levels of MM and MC cartridges (as MC cartridges are so quiet, they require more Gain).

  • PDF | 107 Kb | Hi-Fi Choice Review

  • PDF | 3 Mb | Hi-Fi World Review

  • PDF | 2 Mb | Product Info Sheet

  • PDF | 148 Kb | User Guide

  • JPG | 2 Mb | Lifestyle Photo (Close Up)

  • PNG | 6 Mb | Lifestyle Photo (Internal)

  • JPG | 1 Mb | Lifestyle Photo

  • PNG | 3 Mb | Stock Photo (Black)

  • PNG | 1 Mb | Stock Photo (Rear)

  • PNG | 2 Mb | Stock Photo (Silver)

  • JPG | 2 Mb | Lifestyle Photo (Close Up)

  • PNG | 6 Mb | Lifestyle Photo (Internal)

  • JPG | 1 Mb | Lifestyle Photo

  • PNG | 3 Mb | Stock Photo (Black)

  • PNG | 1 Mb | Stock Photo (Rear)

  • PNG | 2 Mb | Stock Photo (Silver)