Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 - Phono Stage
The Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 is a high class phono pre-amplifier. It is fully balanced from the input to the output. Electronics are also fully discrete, no op-amps are in use and it uses split passive RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and DECCA equalisation.
Discrete Circuitry
A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as “active” components, which in our case are transistors.
The opposite to this would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain. Countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown us that even the very best Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid. 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.
Video about the Pro-Ject RS2 Phono Stage
Fully Balanced
The Pro-Ject 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. 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.
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 by 2 as a result.
Split Passive EQ
The Phono Box RS2 uses split passive equalization 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 equalization 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.
Load impedance can be set continuously via potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems. It allows you to seamlessly adjust the impedance during playback and immediately assess the impact of different loading options.
Cartridges, by nature, suffer from small imbalances between the left and right channels. To correct this the Phono Box RS2 introduces a new feature that is absolutely rare in this price category. A potentiometer allows you to adjust the exact center of the sound stage in ranges of 2dB to the left or right.
Steel/Aluminium Chassis
The Phono Box RS2 has a steel chassis which is covered by screwed aluminium panels. This construction brings very good rigidity and splendid isolation against interferences.
Features
- MM & MC Capable
- Fully balanced, true dual mono design
- Fully discrete hardware design - NO Op-amps!
- Fully passive RIAA & DECCA equalisation
- Balanced XLR & unbalanced RCA In & Outputs
- Unique continously variable input impedance loading and channel balance control to match every cartridge to 100% (adjustment even while playing)
- Superior low noise / low distortion
- Metal casing protects against vibration and interference
Technical Specifications
- Input Impedance: Fixed 47kohms, variable 10 - 1000 ohms
- Load capacity switchable: 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 pF
- Gain MM: RCA: 40, 43, 46, 50 dB (+6dB using XLR)
- Gain MC: RCA: 60, 63, 66, 70 dB (+6dB using XLR)
- Signal to noise ratio: MM (40dB): 89dB A-wt (10mV); MC (60dB): 79dB A-wt (1mV)
- THD: < 0.0015% (MM 40dB, 1kHz); < 0.0024% (MC 60dB, 1kHz)
- RIAA accuracy: within 0.4dB/20Hz - 20kHz
- Subsonic: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave
- Inputs: RCA & XLR
- Outputs: RCA & XLR
- Power Supply: 20V/3A DC; 110 - 240V, 50/60Hz
- Power Consumption: 350mA DC < 1 watt standby
- Dimensions W x H x D (with sockets): 206 x 72 x 200 mm
- Weight: 1600 g without power supply
Further Information
What is Our Return Policy?
Subject to the below exceptions,Studio Incar LTD is happy to exchange or refund your purchase within 30 days of delivery. Your refund will be credited to the original payment card on the day of request but may take up to 14 working days.
Unwanted goods must be returned in a fully re-saleable condition and any packaging must be intact. We reserve the right to refuse an exchange or full refund if goods are not returned in a re-saleable condition or are damaged. If these conditions are met we will gladly offer a replacement, exchange or refund.
Refunds on promotional goods purchased under a promotional offer will be based on the terms of the promotional price. Our 30 days returns policy is in addition to the standard 14 day returns offered by the Consumer Contact Regulations.
If for any reason you believe your product is defective please notify us immediately on 01489 578951 or via email. If your product is faulty or covered under warranty any carriage costs incurred shipping the goods back will be refunded up to the amount of £10.
Upon receipt of your order you are advised to carefully inspect the package and goods to ensure they are intact and complete, before signing for receipt of delivery. Should you find the parcel to be damaged or incomplete you must refuse delivery of the goods.
Please report any damaged or faulty items to Studio Incar within 24 hours of receipt of the goods and provide any information requested (eg photographs) within 24 hours.
If you have ordered the incorrect part or wish to return an order we will gladly exchange the product free of charge with just the carriage to pay.
How do I Return a Product?
Please follow the instructions below before returning any goods
We require all returned goods (defective, damaged, unwanted or otherwise) to be sent back to us in the original condition they were received in, with all accessories, manuals and the original packaging. Items that are being returned purely because they are no longer wanted should be returned in unopened packaging. Studio Incar retain the right to refuse a refund or charge an appropriate fee for items that are returned without original packaging and/or without accessories and manuals.
Collection Procedure
- In the event of a product failing, your first course of action should be to contact Studio Incar at info@studioincar.co.uk
- Within 6 months of purchase date: Once the fault has been established and deemed impossible to be solved on site, Studio Incar will arrange for collection of the item at cost to the customer. This will be refunded in full if the item is found to be faulty.
- Please note that if the item has a non-warrantable fault the customer will be charge for carriage both ways, parts and labour.
Our Return address is:
Returns
Studio Incar
Unit 23, Mitchell Close
Fareham
PO15 5SE
How do I Cancel an Order?
You may cancel your order (or any part of it) for any reason before dispatch, however, if your order has already been dispatched & is with the courier a restocking fee may apply.
Please email us at info@studioincar.co.uk or call 01489 578951 to cancel an order.
The products we use and sell are of the highest quality and we trust them wholeheartedly, but every now and again a product has a fault that is covered under the manufacturers warranty.
In the event of such an occurance please contact us via email at info@studioincar.co.uk to proceed with the warranty process.
Below is a list of all the Manufacturers warranty timeframes with any special instructions for extended warranties:
Alpine
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturers Warranty
Amphion
5 Years standard Manufacturers Warranty
AudioControl
- 5 Years with Installation by an Authorised Installer (Studio Incar is an Authorised Installer)
- 1 Year if you are doing your own Installation
- 2 Years if you register the product with the UK supplier
AudioLab
- 2 Years standard Manufacturers warranty
Audison
- 1 Year standard Manufacturers warranty
- 2 Years if you register the product with the UK supplier
Auralic
- 90 Days Standard Manufacturers Warranty
- 3 Years Extended Warranty - Product Registration within 30 days of Purchase
Blackvue
- 6 Months standard Manufacturers warranty
Blaupunkt
1 Year standard Manufacturers warranty
Chord Company
- Lifetime Warranty
Cyrus Audio
- 40 series - 5 Years
- XR series - 3 Years
- Classic series - 2 Years
- Turntable - 3 Years
Product Registration Here
Dynaudio
- 2 Years on Car Audio Products - No Extendable Warranty
- 2 Years standard Warranty on Home Audio Products
- up to 8 Years Extendable Warranty on Home Audio Products when you register at Dynaudio
Focal
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturers Warranty
- 2 Years Extended Warranty when registered with Focal
Hegel
- 2 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
Hertz
- 1 Year standard Manufacturers warranty
- 2 Years if you register the product with the UK supplier
HiFi Rose
2 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
iFi Audio
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturers Warranty
JL Audio
- 1 Year for Speakers and Subwoofers
- 2 Years for Amplifiers and Processors
Luxman
3 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
Mission
1 Year Standard Manufacturer Warranty
3 Years Extended Warranty if Registered with Mission
Ortofon
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturers Warranty
Peachtree Audio
- 2 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
- 3 Years Extended Warranty if Registered with Peachtree
Pro-Ject
- 2 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
- 3 Years Extended Warranty if Registered with Pro-Ject
Q-Acoustics
- 4 Years for Passive Loudspeakers
- 1 Year for Active Loudspeakers / Subwoofers
- 5 Years for Passive Loudspeakers if Registers with Q Acoustics
- 2 Years for Active Loudspeakers / Subwoofers if Registered with Q Acoustics
SolidSteel
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturer Warranty
Sony
- 1 Year Standard Manufacturer Warranty
Wharfedale
- 2 Years Standard Manufacturers Warranty
- 3 Years Extended Warranty if registered with Wharfedale
