Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital Edition 23 - Pre-Amplifier

The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital – since its release back in 2017 – has quickly ascended to an exceptional status in the DAC market and gained a reputation among digital and PC-audio enthusiasts for its remarkable ability to compete way above its price point. The 2023 Edition, following the chip crisis of 2020/21 saw a rework and upgrade to several components, making the Pre Box S2 Digital 2023 Edition even better than ever before.

Edition 23 Improvements

New Internal Power Supply Design

The power supply units (PSUs) of clock, DACs, and analogue output stages have undergone enhancements to offer increased isolation from PC USB power noise and achieve a wider/flatter output impedance across the entire audio bandwidth.

Redesigned Master Audio Clocks

Pro-Ject have redesigned and improved the discrete audio master clocks – this lowers the phase noise and further enhances the already cutting-edge jitter performance.

New Output Stage with Higher Class-A Current

The new analogue output stage, based around the SABRE9603Q, has higher Class A operating current, for improved performance with low impedance headphones and long cable runs.

New Headphone Amplifier

The entire design is now more energy efficient – a 12% reduction in PSU current, while also offering higher Class A analogue stage operating current resulting in lower distortion when used with low impedance headphones. Users with mobile devices or laptops on-the-go will also appreciate the lower power draw, and simultaneously enjoy more power for the energy that is being drawn. And for anyone finding themselves using low-impedance headphones or in-ears – whether in a mobile, home, or work environment: they will experience a noteable boost in sound quality too.

Product Features

• Edition 23: powerful output stage for headphones
• Edition 23: analogue output stage - higher Class A current
• Edition 23: redesigned discrete audio master clock
• Edition 23: internal power supply design
• Edition 23: less energy consumption - more power, higher efficiency - saves battery life for mobile devices
• Edition 23: Jitter even lower than 100 Femtoseconds!
• Dual mono high end ESS Sabre ESS9038 dual DAC
• Organic polymer capacitors and thin film miniMELF resistors
• MQA hardware decoding
• Plays with Audirvana certified
• DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 & DSD512 (DoP, DSD512 native)
• Up to 24bit/192kHz for optical & coax inputs
• 8 selectable digital filter characteristics
• 1 proprietary optimum transient digital filter
• Headphone output on the front (6.3mm)
• Synchronization of all internal oscillators
• Gold plated four layer PCB
• Full alu/metal sandwich casing in silver or black
  

Technical Specifications

• Digital inputs:
  • 1 x USB (B)
    
  • 1 x Coaxial RCA
  • 1x Optical (TOSLink)
• D/A Converter: 2x ESS9038Q2M 32-bit
• USB: up to DSD512 (DSD1024), PCM up to 32b/768kHz
• Optical: PCM up to 24b/192kHz
• Coaxial: PCM up to 24b/192kHz
• Filter Settings: 7 different selectable on front
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Analogue Outputs: 6.3mm Headphone (front), 1x Variable Out (RCA
• Output Voltage: 2.05 Veff
• Minimal recommended headphone impedance: 8 Ohm
• Headphone output power: 6.6 mW / 600 Ohm; 100 mW / 32 Ohm
• THD: 0.0003% @ 0 dB, 2V RMS, 1 kHz
• Dynamic range: 124 dBA
• Outboard Power supply: 5V/1A DC (included)
• Dimensions W x H x D: 103 x 37 x 122 mm (including knob and connectors)
• Weight: 366 g (without power supply)

Further Information

Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital 23 Edition - User Manual (PDF)

Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital 23 Edition - Product Information (PDF)