High-end pre-amplifier, DAC, Headphone amp

The most universal & future-proof high-end pre-amplifier, DAC, headphone amp!

The Pre-Box RS2 Digital is the bigger brother of Pro-Ject's award winning and groundbreaking Pre-Box S2 Digital. It uses the same excellent sounding DAC chips as the S2 version, proving once again that the Pre-Box S2 Digital was already at the very top of high-end DACs and absolutely beyond its competition. Based on the same core-design principles, the feature set is extended and driven to new heights. The result is a fantastic sounding and very versatile box. The perfect partner for the cream of the crop of high-end amplifiers and speakers alike!

The Pre-Box RS2 Digital is a DAC and preamplifier that uses a dual-mono configuration of the highest-class D/A converters from ESS Sabre. ESS9038Q2M chips provide the highest sound quality in price-affordable, high-end circuits. Unlike most of DACs in this price range, the Pre-Box RS2 Digital includes dual DACs and separate signal paths for the left and right channels. Also, thanks to these converters, the Pro Box RS2 Digital supports up to 32-bit / 768 kHz files in PCM and DSD formats (up to DSD512) via USB, covering any digital file you can buy or stream. The analogue output is a buffer that is both solid state and high-quality tube. Thus, the customer can choose which of the option is preferred. The Pre-Box has eight digital filters. One of them is the proprietary optimal transient digital filter from the MQA creators. With these filters, the listener can customise the sound to suit their own preferences. Pre-Box RS2 Digital comes with full HW and SW support for MQA technology (Master Quality Authenticated).

In the Pre-Box, the USB input signal is processed by a powerful multi-core XMOS microcontroller with advanced Multi-Core RISC architecture. The CPLD MAX II (Complex Programmable Logic Device) Altera is used for re-clocking, which together with the XMOS microcontroller brings high-quality processing of both classical and MQA technology. For the ideal use of this technology, it is best to connect the Pre-Box to their Stream Box S2 Ultra in conjunction with the TIDAL service. You can also enjoy MQA quality by linking it with Pro-Ject’s new revolutionary CD transport, the CD Box RS2 T. The CD Box RS2 T can be connected to the Pre-Box by reliable I²S differential bus via the HDMI connector where the Pre-Box RS2 Digital also provides the master clock (16.9344 MHz).

The headphone amplifier is the ultimate design. No compromise. No coupling capacitors. Not even on the output. All of the amplifier is DC coupled. A very fast DC servo assures no DC voltage on the output. Its output power is suitable for all kind of headphones.

A premium full aluminium remote control is included in the packaging and the Pre-Box RS2 Digital is available in a high-quality silver or black aluminium case. The big display screen on the front shows all relevant information in an easy to read, clean and structured way. Navigating the menu is very responsive and fast, allowing you to set up the unit to your preferences in seconds!

Features

• Dual Mono DACs: 2x ESS9038Q2M
• High Quality optionally selectable upsampling of PCM and/or MQA content with proprietary filtering
• Advanced re-clocking powered by new XMOS chip with Mulit-Core RISC architecture
• 9 digital inputs: i²S HDMI, AES/EBU, Toslink, S/PDIF coax, Bluetooth v4.0
• Analogue: Pre-out XLR/RCA/headphone, RCA input
• Fully balanced double mono design
• Output stage switchable between 6922 tube & solid state
• Ultra-linear and ultra-low noise
• New high-quality display with responsive and fast UI design
• High quality full Aluminium remote control included
• Available in Silver and Black