My Reference Phono Preamps! Pro-Ject Phono & Tube Box DS3 Comparison and Review

[@robertnitsche8410]

I have a Pro-Ject DS2 Tube Box, and I rolled the tubes with matched Gold Lion ECC83 12AX7 tubes. Big increase in detail and dynamics. I love mine!

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

It is such a benefit with tube box, and any other tube devices, that you can constantly invest and upgrade them. Great choice!

[@slistone1940]

Have you tried changing tubes in the ds2? If so can you post a video on how to do that?

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

I had DS3 and S2 for a while but sold them, and while had them I had used stock "default" tubes and had not changed them. So unfortunately I don't know how to do that.

[@davel2858]

Good review !

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Thanks Dave!

[@marcbegine]

Main advantage is xlr in and out (+6dB)

[@liberwill]

is the tube box ds3 worth the step up from the tubebox s2? Thanks

[@davidatrakchi2707]

I've been using the tube box s2 for a long time with my Sumiko Evo 3 cartridge, I even went through some tube changing I recently purchased the pro ject phono stage DS+. It was introduced around 2016 so mine is pre owned, Indeed, it exposes more details but also allows you to switch parameters "on the run" After switching between the two several times, I tend to go in favor of the DS+, being clearer and more detailed. I recently added step up transformers to my setup, these allow me to lower the gain to 40 while reducing the background noise (especially relevant while listening to headphones)

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

It is a step-up. And noticeable really, and the more you upgrade your turntable, will that be just table, tonearm or cartridge it grows with them. It has more details, it helps place those details on stage, and as it is more details you perceive larger sound. But it is also a very mature audiophile device, with a lot of finesse, in those details that you feel more texture. I think it certainly is more clear reproduction, but it is not such a setup from detail reproduction, but still it creates a bit more separation and transparency.

[@pumaweek169]

there is an interesting comparison/blind test here on tube between pro ject rs and pro ject tube box ds2...all the time i was thinking how solid state one sounds like tubes...when i see the results, i was surprised how much i prefer solid state preamp phono box rs...maybe tube rolling will help a bit, but anyway, project phono box rs sounds fantastic and much better than tube ones pre in the stock form...it means, you get fantastic sound without taking care about tubes (which is a thing because tubes needs additional attention)...

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Maybe just solid state, cleaner and more precise sound is for you friend!

[@pumaweek169]

@@HIFIDaydreaming au contraire, I hate solid state sound but those solid state pro ject preamps are fantastic...and I am tube guy...

[@SpineTingler007]

If you take a look inside the Pro-Ject RS2 and compare it to the Cambridge Audio Duo ($349) you can see the signal path of both is your basic opamp design. They are both pure analog. The only real difference is that the Pro-Ject is way overpriced.