Are Audiophiles Really Flocking Back to CDs? Pro-Ject’s CD Box RS2 Tube Seems to Think So

Pro-Ject has unveiled the latest addition to its flagship RS2 range, the CD Box RS2 Tube—and it wastes no time declaring its intent. This is a CD player with an internal DAC and a fully balanced tube (valve) output stage. It reads CDs, converts the signal internally, and outputs analog audio. That’s the definition. Calling it a “transport” is simply wrong, no matter how often that error gets repeated elsewhere.

At $2,799 USD, the CD Box RS2 Tube is a serious financial ask. Not outrageous if the performance delivers, but expectations rise quickly at this level—especially when similarly priced players often include SACD playback or digital inputs for added flexibility. Pro-Ject is making a clear, unapologetic bet: that a focused, single-format CD player still matters to a certain kind of listener.

That bet doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The compact disc never vanished—it just stopped being fashionable to talk about. The renewed attention around CD playback didn’t begin in 2025, but this year has brought a noticeable wave of new, genuinely serious releases, suggesting that manufacturers are once again willing to engineer for the format rather than merely tolerate it.

Some of the most telling examples sit at the opposite end of the price spectrum. Portable CD players from FiiO and Shanling, both comfortably under $500, have proven that affordable doesn’t have to mean disposable. Their surprisingly robust headphone outputs make them legitimate listening tools rather than novelty throwbacks—practical, travel-friendly options for listeners who still want physical media without committing to a full rack. We put them through extended real-world use during travel in Europe in late June and July, and they held up.

Meanwhile, Marantz, Shanling, TEAC, and now Pro-Ject have all leaned back into disc playback—not as a revolution, but as a quiet acknowledgment that CDs never actually went away. What has changed is the willingness to treat the format as something worth doing properly again.

That still doesn’t put CDs anywhere near vinyl’s 15-year resurgence. Vinyl’s revival was cultural, economic, and generational. CD playback is something quieter and more pragmatic—a format that never broke, never disappeared, and continues to make a compelling case for listeners who value physical media without the ritual, maintenance, or escalating costs that come with turntables and cartridges.

What’s New in the CD Box RS2 Tube

This is the first CD player in Pro-Ject’s RS line to include an integrated DAC. The CD Box RS2 Tube uses a Texas Instruments PCM1796 DAC in a fully differential configuration, feeding a fully balanced tube output stage. The DAC is not optional or external here—it is part of the core design and intended to work directly with the balanced analog stage rather than act as a generic add-on.

Disc playback is handled by the SUOS DM-3381 Red Book CD-DA drive, which is designed specifically for CD rather than adapted from DVD or Blu-ray mechanisms. Pro-Ject pairs the drive with its BlueTiger™ CD-88 servo system to help reduce jitter, tracking errors, and mechanical noise. The drive is mounted in a vibration-damped chassis with a central-mass layout, focusing on stability and consistency during playback.

Control is straightforward. The front panel provides direct access to basic functions, and a full aluminium remote is included. The large RS2 LCD display shows track and time information and supports CD-Text when available, displaying artist and track names for discs that include the data.

The output stage follows the established RS design approach, using a fully balanced tube circuit with two E88CC tubes. Balanced XLR outputs are provided, along with optical and coaxial digital outputs for users who want to route the signal to an external DAC. The player uses a top-loading mechanism with an aluminium cover plate and magnetic clamp.

The CD Box RS2 Tube is available in black or silver and is made in Europe. Physical dimensions are 206 × 84 × 200 mm (210 mm with sockets), which translates to approximately 8.1 × 3.3 × 7.9 inches (8.3 inches with sockets). Weight is 3.2 kg, or about 7.1 pounds, without the power supply.

The Bottom Line

The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Tube is a clear statement piece in a category that’s been quietly rebuilding momentum. On the plus side, it’s a seemingly well engineered CD player with a dedicated Red Book drive, a high-quality PCM1796 DAC, and a fully balanced tube output stage—features that will appeal to listeners running balanced systems who want a focused, disc-only component. The build, top-loading mechanism, and European manufacturing all reinforce that this isn’t meant to be a budget nod to nostalgia.

The downside is just as clear. At $2,799 (£1749 / AU$3500), expectations are high, and the feature set is intentionally narrow. There’s no SACD support, no digital inputs, and no attempt to make this a broader digital hub. If you want flexibility, this isn’t it—and at this price, some buyers will reasonably expect more than Red Book CD playback alone.

The ugly part is simply the trade-off Pro-Ject is asking you to accept. This is a single-format player in a market where similarly priced competitors often offer SACD capability or added connectivity. If you still own a large CD collection and want a dedicated player with a balanced tube output, the CD Box RS2 Tube makes a coherent case. If you’re looking for maximum versatility per dollar, this one will feel stubbornly, and deliberately limited.

For more information: CD Box RS2 Tube

Related Reading:

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• FiiO Unveils DM15 R2R Portable CD Player: CDs Are Back, Baby And FiiO’s Betting Big On The Silver Disc Revival
• TEAC Launches PD-507T: Reference 500 Series CD Transport For DAC Users Who Stream And Spin CDs
• Shanling Unveils SCD3.3 SACD Player With 2nd-Gen R2R DAC And Tube Output