Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T

CD Box RS2 T Ultimate CD Transport   Next generation of ultimate CD Transports Pro-Ject has always been making products and investments which are not particularly mainstream. As everybody was jumping onto the CD bandwagon, we were starting with turntables! Now as everybody moves into streaming, we are investing in a new revolutionary CD-player. We believe in listening to music consciously and also that there are many people who deeply share this sentiment with us. Similar to analogue records, people want to have the physical medium in hand. And that‘s also true for the CD! Most of us are still going to put most of their CD‘s onto a hard disc drive or store them in the basement, as they did with their analogue records. But many want to keep their best CD’s and for this they want to have a proper CD-player. Very good in quality, but not too crazy expensive. Actual Redbook CD players have gotten rare, real high-end mechanisms aren‘t even existing anymore. Today, we know that the drive is essential for accurately reading CDs. The mechanics in many drives struggle to correctly read CDs and rely on audio interpolation to make it work, that often has a negativ impacting on the sound quality. The CD medium might have gotten an unfavorable reputation as a result, which is why it is time to create a perfect, top-class CD transport again. Transport-only matters, because many already have a very good DAC, which means we do not have to add a DAC and drive costs up. So we concentrated to make the best CD transport we possibly could.     Being based in Vienna, we are lucky enough that Philips had its development department here, and many CD players and mechanisms were designed here. The gentlemen who were part of this epochal invention are still around, formed in a company called StreamUnlimited. We are proud to say, the pope of the CD player today – Mr. Michael Jirousek, was helping to create this ultimate CD player. The CD Box RS2 T is the latest development in our line of ultimate top-loading CD transports, built around the StreamUnlimited CD mechanism CD–Pro 8 and servo system CD-84. The CD Box RS2 T takes playing standard Red Book Audio CDs to perfection. The CD Pro-8 has the servo system directly integrated in its aluminium body. The entire body is suspended on a proprietary anti-vibration system, which allows us to control the level of outside vibrations reaching the insides of the device. The CD mechanism is stabilized and secured, unaffected by external influences.     Vibration dampers are mounted on the very rigid carbon fiber chassis, which further contributes to isolating the CD loader from the outside. Additionally, the whole chassis is firmly connected to the body of the CD Box RS2 T itself. Such a construction brings excellent rigidity to the whole system and in the same time splendid isolation against the whole vibrational spectrum. The CD mechanism has an improved clamp made of a new aluminium alloy. It is perfectly balanced and assures perfect contact between the disc and the drive, achieving smooth rotation and perfect disc reading. Being a transport-only device, the optical and coaxial S/PDIF outputs allow connecting your favorite high-end DAC. The AES/EBU digital output over XLR goes one step beyond the quality of optical or coaxial signals and at the ultimate top, the CD Box RS2 T offers an I²S + Masterclock output over HDMI. This standard offers the perfect digital interconnect and is the ideal solution to bypass the limitations that inherently come with other forms of digital audio connections. This makes it the perfect companion to our Pre Box RS2, fully benefitting of this digital transfer standard. The output options ensure, that all the care and attention that has gone into the design of the CD drive is not put to waste.     Foregoing any built in converter and preamp electronics, ensures that those parts do not interfere with the perfect CD reading capabilities and enable the use of high-end DACs. Pro-Ject are the first to use the new high-tech CD-Pro 8 drive with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo board. The drive, chassis, suspension and servo board are new designs and offer unprecedented CD performance at this price point. The massive chassis will never go out of alignment or deform under high temperatures. The cogwheels for the sledge run on precision steel axles. The chassis is milled to the highest accuracy from a solid block of aluminium and each turntable is lathed from steel and chrome plated. This is critical for transportation and ensures it will last a lifetime. The suspension system consists out of a rigid carbon fiber plate, carbon fiber tubes, springs, silicon dampers and screws. The suspension, cover and turntable platter are made of 100% real carbon fibre.     The CD Box RS2 T features a sophisticated, super precise, new levels of mechanical qualities to read out a bit-perfect data stream. The robust chassis and electronics around this drive, carry the perfect signal jitter-free to its high variety of outputs. We can proudly say, it‘s the best CD transport ever and the perfect partner for so many currently existing premium quality DACs. The CD Box RS2 T is available in a precision machined, beautiful and elegant aluminium case in silver or black colour options. A new remote control in a new entirely aluminium chassis is also included in the packaging.       Features Toploading CD drive Magnetic clamp Plays Red Book CD-DA CD-Pro 8 top loading module with suspension system and Blue Tiger CD-84 servo board I²S + Masterclock via HDMI connector LCD screen displays time, tracks, text (if available) Gravity design with central mass point Aluminium IR remote included Available in a silver or black high-quality aluminium chassis   REVIEW & AWARDS Test Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital + CD Box RS2 T – Minis of format - Read More "The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T drive, on the other hand, is a clear statement that the CD is far from being a relic of high-fidelity history. Quite the opposite: thanks to its extremely simple operation, quick response and excellent reading properties, listening to CDs is now really fun again. Not least because of the sound quality, which is particularly impressive when used in conjunction with the Pre Box RS2 Digital as a clock generator. Another plus point: the robust, professional drive unit promises a long life. Admittedly, the set price of 4,500 euros is not obvious at first glance. However, anyone who gets involved musically will immediately notice that it is worth every euro. For me, at least, the Pro-Ject team is a very strong contender for the dream team of the year. Highly recommended even for small, fine mastering studios!" - Jürgen Schröder   Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T, Pre Box RS2 Digital Review - Read More "I will admit that at heart I am an analog guy, and I love LP records and turntables. In fact, I listened to my Rega RP6/ Ania Pro Rega Fono MC combination through the RCA inputs on the Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital during my evaluation. The sound from my LP records was superb through the Pro-Ject pre-amp. However, if there was a CD playback system that would sway me over, it would be the Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital and the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T. The Pro-Ject combo had me wanting to listen to CD after CD. This Pro-Ject combo brings the musicality and natural details I hear in the best analog. Add to that, the tremendous strengths that digital playback offers, and I think the Pro-Ject pair, while not expensive by high-end standards (but still pricey) does offer a great bargain. They allowed me to hear new details and re-experience old favorites in my music catalog. After all, isn’t that what the audiophile experience is all about? Did I mention that these units are fun to use and listen to? Maybe not for everyone, but if you have a discerning ear and love music, you will find the Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital and the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T dear to your heart. Is this the best I have heard CD sound, you bet! Recommended? Absolutely! " - Francisco Licon   Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T / Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player/DAC - Read More "If Pro-Ject is attempting to lead a CD revival, as it did with LPs in the company's earliest days, then it has a pretty serious dog in the fight in the form of this two-box combination. Not only does all the engineering effort pay dividends in a sound combining solidity with vibrant detail, but the DAC/pre/headphone amp also has the ability to inject new life into everything up to and including top-rate DSD files. " - Andrew Everard   Review: Pro-Ject CD box RS2 T - Heavyweight mini player - Read More "The CD drive from Pro-Ject X1 does cost as much as many CD players. It can be argued that the finish is simple – the silver version looks a little better – for this price range, but it can not be claimed about the sound quality. Which is on a par with the best we have tested, provided you have a serious DAC to connect the drive to. For anyone who needs a new and better CD player, can safely consider whether it should be a Pro-Ject CD box RS2 T. It will not disappoint. " - Lasse Svendsen       SPECIFICATIONS Supports Red Book CD-DA Digital output AES3 1 x balanced (AES/EBU) on XLR connector S/PDIF 1 x optical (TOSlink®) 1 x coaxial (RCA socket) I2S + Master Clock 1 x HDMI connector Outboard power supply 20V/3000mA DC; 100 - 240V, 50/60Hz Power consumption 600mA DC, < 0,5W in standby Replacement battery remote control 1 x CR2032 / 3V or 1 x CR2025 / 3V Dimensions WxHxD 206 x 78 x 200 (210)mm Weight 3.000g without power supply