Loaded from the top, the CD BOX RS2 Tube plays CDs through a built-in PCM1796 converter and a balanced valve output stage using two E88CC: it offers analogue outputs on RCA and XLR and digital ones on optical and coaxial.
CD BOX RS2 Tube: drive, DAC and valves
No earlier CD player in Pro-Ject's RS line carried its own converter: unlike a pure transport, it plugs straight into an amplifier or preamplifier. Discs are read by the SUOS DM-3381 mechanism, dedicated to Red Book audio CDs and governed by the BlueTiger CD-88 servo; it is a sturdy, low-vibration assembly housed in a damped chassis, designed to cut jitter and stray noise and to last. The well closes with an aluminium lid and the CD is held by a magnetic clamp.
Conversion is entrusted to the Texas Instruments PCM1796, used in a wholly differential arrangement to drive the output stage. That stage is a balanced buffer with two E88CC valves, in keeping with the RS line as a whole, where valves have featured from the start; Pro-Ject uses them to give the digital signal a warmer, more fluid character.
Analogue outputs comprise one RCA and one balanced XLR; optical and coaxial digital outputs remain available for anyone wishing to use an outboard converter. The player is operated from the front keys or the aluminium handset included, and the RS2-series LCD shows time, tracks and, where the disc has CD-Text, artist and song title. The power supply is external, rated at 20 V.
Specifications
- Discs played: Red Book audio CD (CD-DA)
- Mechanism: SUOS DM-3381 top loader, BlueTiger CD-88 servo
- Disc clamping: magnetic clamp, aluminium lid
- D/A converter: Texas Instruments PCM1796
- Output stage: balanced, valve based
- Valves: 2 x E88CC
- Analogue outputs: 1 RCA, 1 XLR balanced
- S/PDIF digital outputs: 1 TOSlink optical, 1 RCA coaxial
- Display: LCD with time, track and CD-Text
- Power: external 20 V / 3000 mA DC unit, 100-240 V mains
- Consumption: 20 W at most, under 0.5 W on standby
- Remote: infrared, aluminium, 3 V CR2032 or CR2025 cell
- Size: 206 mm wide, 84 mm high, 200 mm deep (210 mm including sockets)
- Weight: 3.2 kg, power supply excluded
- Finishes: black, silver
