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.
Underwood Hifi is also a Pro-Ject dealer. I am very pleased with my transaction experience with them.This transport's availability is becoming relatively scarce.
Underwood, as far as I know, does not accept returns on Pro-ject.
I've found showroom demos can be unreliable and while I read reviews extensively before purchasing, I'd never buy a component solely on the basis of a review, without the option to return it. Others here have different approaches but this one works for me.
I know some people there at MD ,you ask them about the product, 80% of the time their response? You have 60 days to try it. Upscale most of them are knowledgeable especially on turntables, tubes etc.[
I second charles1dad's appreciation for Underwood HiFi. I bought my Pro-Ject (as well as a number of other items over the years) from Walter. In each case, the transaction has been excellent -- service, speed, etc.
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