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A phenomenal new CD transport-Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport

I have had in-house for the last week Pro-Ject's new CD Box RS2 transport to review for the website Stereo Times. I was very curious to assess its performance because it uses the Pro 8 drive with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card. This drive was developed and built by StreamUnlimited a company started by the original Phillips designers that historically built the finest CD mechanisms. Only two other companies use the StreamUnlimited 8 drive and Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card, their pieces cost $16,000 and $39,000 compared to Pro-Ject's sane price of $3,000!

My reference for the last two years has been the excellent Jay's Audio MK-II transport that had out-performed much more expensive highly regarded transports in my system. Well, across every sonic parameter  (transparency/micro-details-overall dynamics/bottom-end extension/purity of tonality- a much more airy sound-stage with wonderful 3D imaging) compared to the Jay's Audio transport.

That's way I titled this thread a "phenomenal new CD transport" because while not inexpensive, it just might be a bargain based on its performance. Mind you, this superlative level of performance is based on using the switching power supply that Pro-Ject ships the transport with. I have shortly coming a custom 20 watt 3 amp linear power supply from Linear Tube Audio and Pro-Ject's own upgraded power supply to see if the RS2 transport performance will even go to a higher qualitative level of performance.

I'll be writing a full detailed review for Stereo Times in the near future. However, I wanted to share this information to GON members who still spin CDs. I have had numerous CD transports in for evaluation and this just might be the best sounding of all of them.

Teajay (Terry London)




amorstereo
tommylion
874 posts
 

I emailed the Pro-ject US importer about programming tracks, and this is the reply I received:

 

Thanks for reaching out.

The RS2 T does not support track programming. It is a pure CD transport playback device.


Best regards,

Pro-Ject Customer Support Team@

Pro-Ject USA


The lack of the ability to program tracks may not matter to some, but, for me, it's likely a deal killer. I get putting sound quality over features, but I’m having a hard time understanding how implementing track programming would impact sound quality??? This is the first transport/player I’ve run across without it.

Just wanted others who may be considering the CD Box RS2 to be aware of this omission.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,885 posts
 
Here's something on a cheaper version of a Pro-Ject CD player in their line up and the reviewer just loved it. 
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0621/Pro_Ject_Audio_CD_Box_DS2_CD_Player_Review.htm
I don't know if it uses the Tiger platform that the top loader uses but it's way cheaper and really impressed the reviewer.

All the best,
Nonoise
amorstereo OP
64 posts
 
Hey Nonoise,

Nope, this transport does not use the Tiger platform.
chayro
2,996 posts
 
I scrolled briefly through the thread to see if this was addressed, but I didn't see it (or just missed it) Arthur Salvatore once made comparisons using Esoteric transports and dacs and his conclusion was that the better transport with the lesser dac sounded better than the lesser transport with the better dac.  He was talking about all top-line Esoteric gear mind you. 
I think it would be interesting if you did a comparison of say the Pro-ject into the Orchid vs the Jay's into the May.  I know you sold the Jay, but I'm just giving an example. I think it would be helpful to those who have a good transport/dac combo but are looking to upgrade only one. 
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook's avatar
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook
981 posts
 
For the uninformed Esoteric stopped using DAC Chips 1-2 years ago. Makes no sense comparing an older line (X or XS) of their Spinners/Dacs to their newer players. Ive had both...dont sound similar at all. Use to be voiced more aggressively. Now its more analog-like.
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