Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced Phono Preamplifier
The Phono Box S3 B is an entry-level phono preamplifier that offers a fully balanced design in a neat, small package. Pro-Ject have packed this tiny chassis to the brim with high-end features. One of those is their True Balanced Connection. At Pro-Ject, balanced connections were exclusive to the RS range of products until now. The Phono Box S3 B brings those features down to a very inviting price point.
The Phono Box S3 B comes in complete new casework. The bigger size enabled Pro-Ject to bring a completely new feature set that has never been seen before in this price range. The steel and aluminium case offers very high rigidity and isolation against outside interferences, which is essential for the new technology inside. Connect up to two turntables simultaneously – all parameters for each input get stored in the memory. You can perfectly match the Phono Box S3 B to a wide variety of cartridges. Use the gain setting to accurately match the output to other sources like CD players or streaming devices. Ultra-low values like 50 pF or 10 ohms allow you to account for all situations.
'B' is for Balanced: The symmetrical design is the real standout feature! Connect your turntable with the 5-pin mini XLR cable to take advantage of the balanced signal path. Symmetrical, or also called balanced, transmissions consist of a hot and a cold (also called + and -) signal. Both signal chains effectively carry the same musical information. A true balanced gain stage can now extract the final musical information out of the +/- signals and subtract, remove, all noise that could potentially be added along the way from our noisy, modern homes (household appliances, wifi & Bluetooth, power cables, audio amplifiers). As there are two separate signal chains, Pro-Ject have engineered in two individual amplifier sections. Definitely unseen in this price range and the best and cleanest amplifier for your phono signal!
Not Just Balanced, Also Discrete: The gain stage of the new Phono Box S3 B uses a fully discrete layout. A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices. The amplifier section is built out of single components and doesn't use any integrated circuits! That makes for an extended and more costly design process but also results in the best sound quality.
Semi-Passive EQ: After treating the balanced +/- signals independently they are added back together and are processed by the semi-passive RIAA equalization stage. By keeping the gain stage fully symmetrical, Pro-Ject can optimize the signal-to-noise ratios and keep interference to a minimum, giving the EQ section the best source to work its magic on. For the balanced XLR outputs, a balancing stage generates a symmetrical signal, so you benefit from balanced signal transmissions again. The RCA are by nature single-ended and get their signals served directly by the RIAA EQ.
Cartridge Loading Options: The Phono Box S3 B conveniently allows you to control all settings on the front panel. You can connect two turntables at the same time. Each input settings are stored in the memory. Large ranges from 40dB up to 65dB are possible. A fully balanced design makes all the difference here. You can perfectly match it with a wide variety of cartridges and perfectly integrate it into the rest of your Hi-Fi system, matching the volume levels accurately to other sources like CD players or streaming devices. The loading options for MM and MC are designed so that the widest array of cartridges will work perfectly with the Phono Box S3 B. Ultra low values like 50 pF or 10 ohms allow you to account for special situations, for example sub-ideal higher capacitance cables. The Phono Box S3 B always has you fully covered.
About Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded in 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger. The products are designed in Mistelbach, Austria and exclusively made in Europe at manufacturing plants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and then shipped to more than 80 countries world-wide. Pro-Ject are best known for their high quality belt drive turntables which are often seen as the best in class at their various price points. In particular the Debut series of turntables has been the go-to record player of choice for many a budding music lover at the affordable end of the price spectrum.
Pro-Ject turntables allow you to experience again the clarity, warmth and magic to be found in the grooves on your vinyl, at very reasonable prices. With simple designs and high construction standards, performance has always been the priority. Fully manual operation coupled with the best materials and components available at each price level ensures the best possible value. Of course, here at Audio Trends, we've been selling them since the beginning of time (almost) and due to our passion for all things analogue - read vinyl - can tell you everything you need to know about our fantastic range of their products.
Whilst turntables are a large part of the Pro-Ject story the company has also ventured into high quality micro sized audio products in recent years including phono preamps, DAC's, streamers and amplifiers.
Our Take On The Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
Now we think that the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B would be attractive even if you only wanted to use it in single ended mode. It is beautifully constructed, has a discrete component circuit design, can accept both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges and has all the settings to help them sound their absolute best. And then you get to the main reason this model is such a knockout. It also offers True Balanced Connection when used with a Pro-Ject X1 B Turntable or Pro-Ject X2 B Turntable equipped with any moving coil cartridge or the only moving magnet cartridge that runs in balanced mode – Pro-Ject's Pick It Pro Balanced as fitted standard to the X1 B. All you need is the Pro-Ject Connect It Phono S Mini XLR Balanced Cable to connect either turntable to this phono preamp. You can then connect to your amplifier via RCA or balanced XLR cables, the latter being the obvious preference for a true balanced connection.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: MM/MC Phono Preamplifier with True Balanced Connection
- 5-pin Balanced Mini XLR input
- Single Ended RCA inputs
- Single Ended RCA & Balanced XLR outputs
- Fully symmetrical & discrete gain stage
- Easy settings adjustment on the faceplate
- MM & MC capable
- Dual Mono design
- Semi-passive RIAA equalization
- Superior low noise / low distortion design
- Aluminium casing protects against interference
- Input impedance: 10, 50, 100, 1k, 47k Ohms
- Input capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400 pF
- Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 60, 65 dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio MM (40dB): 103dBV, 110dBV – 'A' weighted
- Signal to Noise Ratio MC (60dB): 85dBV, 90dBV – 'A' weighted
- THD at 1 kHz: <0.001% MM, < 0.005% MC
- THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0.008% MM, < 0.01% MC
- RIAA-Equalization Curve Accuracy: <0.3dB / 20Hz - 20kHz
- Subsonic Filter: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave
- Inputs: One 5-pin Mini XLR, One pair RCA Phono Sockets
- Line-level Outputs: One pair Single Ended RCA, One pair Balanced XLR
- Power Supply DC: 18V/500mA DC
- Power Consumption: 18V/max. 170mA DC, <0.5 W in standby
- Designed & Handmade in Europe
- Available Finishes: Black or Silver
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 206 x 55x 153 (164 with sockets) mm
- Weight: 930 g without power supply
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: All Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.