John
How many phono stages in Pro-Ject’s 2020 line-up? Answer: 17. Talk about options. Ready to top off the Austrian company’s pile of Box Design possibilities comes a new flagship model, the Phono Box RS2: made in the EU; compatible with MM and MC cartridges; a choice of RIAA and DECCA EQ (both passively implemented); single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs. So far, so standard.
However, we also get a fully discrete circuit where the only components used are resistors, capacitors and inductors (and no IC op-amps) plus balanced inputs (to complement the single-ended RCA set) plus a rotary for variable continuous impedance setting (and on-the-fly) plus a balance control plus a range of capacitance settings plus gain options that run from 40dB to 70dB. This is a phono stage for those who really want to go to town on dialling it into their cartridge.
A phono stage deals with very low-level signals. To keep power supply noise from disturbing the unit’s sensitive circuitry, Pro-Ject has specified an external linear brick that reportedly occupies a chassis the same size as the RS2 itself!
The Phono Box RS2 will sell through Pro-Ject’s extensive dealer network for €1499. Your choice of silver or black.
Further information: Pro-Ject
