Pro-ject Audio Systems just released five new products for vinyl enthusiasts, including three new phono preamps and two record cleaning accessories. The new products include:
- Phono Box RS2 ($1999) – Reference class phono preamp with unique impedance control
- Phono Box Ultra 500 ($399) – Luxury and performance combined in a unique phono preamp celebrating the 500,000th phono box from Pro-Ject
- Phono Box S2 Ultra ($349) – A discreet phono preamp that integrates luxury with audiophilia
- Sweep it E ($99) – Easy and effective cleaning arm that allows you to enjoy listening to your records while they are being cleaned
- Sweep it S2 ($129) – Magnetically stabilized record broom is constructed in collaboration with Klaus Mick and his patented technology
Phono Box RS2 ($1999)
The Phono Box RS2 is Pro-ject’s reference class phono stage. It is fully balanced from the input to the output. Electronics are fully discrete, no op-amps are in use and it uses split passive RIAA and DECCA equalization. Pro-ject claims equalization has to be handled and implemented very carefully and split passive EQ is the most expensive way to do it, but also the only way to go if you want the most accurate sound.
Pro-ject further states Phono Box RS2 features the most advanced controls to be seen on any phono preamp in this price class. It’s designed for high-end audio enthusiasts and professionals who are looking to dive deep into all the settings and features the Phono Box RS2 has to offer. Owners can be assured top notch build quality and a clean circuit board design to get the most out of any turntable, even without digging too deep into the advanced settings. Purists can effortlessly enjoy the best sound while experts and tech-enthusiasts will find their perfect high-tech phono preamp.
Features
- MM & MC capable
- Fully balanced, true dual mono design
- Fully discrete hardware design – NO Op-amps!
- Fully passive RIAA & DECCA equalization
- Balanced XLR & unbalanced RCA In & Outputs
- Unique continuously variable input impedance loading and channel balance control to match every cartridge to 100% (adjustment even while playing)
- Superior low noise / low distortion
- Metal casing protects against vibration and interference
- Available in silver or black
Phono Box ultra 500 ($399)
Pro-ject’s Phono Box ultra 500 phono preamplifier is named “500” to celebrate the 500,000th Phono Box shipped since early 2018. These limited edition models (only 500 will be made), put the S2 Ultra’s design in a copper clad enclosure body for improved shielding against against high frequency interference. The copper chassis is then covered with a luxuriant polished chrome.
Features
- Limited, exclusive edition of 500 pieces
- Audiophile Performance
- Chrome on Copper body
- No Operational Amplifiers used
- Audiophile-grade polystyrene capacitors
- Precise RIAA equalisation
- Switchable Subsonic filter –18 dB @ 20Hz
- Switchable input impedance/capacitance
- Six adjustable gain levels
- Outstanding sound quality
Phono Box S2 Ultra ($349)
Pro-ject says Phono Box S2 Ultra is like no other phono preamplifier in its segment. It boasts solid metal casing protection against interference, a switchable subsonic filter as well as a wide range of adjustments to accommodate any cartridge. It comes in a fully discrete, op amp less design, which is said to deliver incredibly harmonious sound.
In addition to eschewing operational amplifiers, Pro-ject implemented polystyrene capacitors, which claim to significantly contribute to the high end sound of the Phono Box S2 Ultra. These capacitors are known amongst audiophiles as the holy grail for phono preamplifiers. The split RIAA equalization enables a pinpoint accurate representation of the RIAA curve. This is an expensive design, that is said to maximize both the accuracy of the equalization as well as the over audio performance.
Features
- Audiophile Performance
- Fully discrete! No opamps used
- Audiophile-grade polystyrene capacitors
- Precise split RIAA equalization
- Switchable Subsonic filter –18 dB @ 20Hz
- Switchable input impedance/capacitance
- Six adjustable gain levels
- Solid metal casing protects from interference
- Outstanding sound quality
Sweep it E ($99)
Sweep it E is an easy and effective cleaning arm that allows you to enjoy listening to your records while they are being cleaned. Simply place Sweep it E in one of the corners on your turntable and make sure that the brush is placed before the needle. This way the grooves will get cleaned right before the cartridge can pick up sound from it.
Features
- Gently cleans your vinyl while playing
- Follows the grooves
- Heavy weight stand for secure standing • Uni-pivot design
- Easy setup
- Elegant looks
- Durable materials
- Brush made of natural hair
Sweep it S2 ($129)
Record brooms have been around since the early 1970s. Some of them do a good job, some rather not. In many cases the brush rushes towards the middle of the platter, running out of sync with the tonearm. This phenomenon is known as skating. Recent developments aim to tackle this problem. Here the highly efficient neodymium magnet comes into play. These magnets are used to stabilize the re- cord broom of the Sweep it S2. Sweep it S2 is const- ructed in collaboration with Klaus Mick and uses his patented technology to stabilize the record broom. Extensive theoretical and empirical rese- arch has been put into the development of this product.
The magnetic attraction between the neodymium magnet – based in the top part of the cylinder – and the [Fe] core/counterweight stabilizes the record brush.
Moreover, the distance between the neodymium magnet and the [Fe] core/counterweight is carefully chosen to ensure a specific magnetic stabilization force. As the aluminium of the brusharm is para-magnetic, it acts like an additional space between the neodymium magnet and the [Fe] core/counter-weight.
Sweep it S2 is height adjustable within a range of about 1cm. The position can be locked with the set screw on the base. With this mechanism, it is possible to adjust the height of the arm of the record broom in order to align it horizontally with the platter. A correct horizontal alignment ensures the correct tracking force of about 6g.
Flexible placement
The record broom can be placed in one of two left hand side corners of the turntable. The placement is depending on the type and shape of your turntable. At the optimal position the brush should align with the spindle (i.e. the center of the platter). Deviations (relative to the spindle) between 1.5 to 2 cm are well compensated by design of the Sweep it S2. Higher deviations can cause more drastic skating effects.
Features
- Neodymium magnet stabilization
- Avoids the common record broomphenomenon known as „skating“
- Height adjustable
- Flexible placement
- Natural hair brush with extremlylow electronegativity
- Cleans your records during playback
- Constructed in collaboration with Klaus Mick
- Available in silver and black metal finish
Availability
