Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 I2S pin definition

@charles1dad -Yes! Thanks for inquiring. And all are terrific. To date. I'm cycling through my collection looking for what I call "intimate presentations." Last night I put on Billie Holiday's last recording, "Lady in Satin". She's backed by Ray Ellis and his orchestra. Oh my! The emotion in her voice is palpable, as is the decline in her intonation. Mind you, these aren't complaints, rather an example of how full and intimately revealing the recording is played though the Pro-Ject transport.

Other stand-outs are a Philly Jo Jones CD, "The Essential Jo Jones", with Ray and Tommy Bryant. Eva Cassidy, "Live at Blues Alley" and Art Taum and Ben Webster, "The Album."

I believe the synergy between the Pro-Ject and the Musetec DAC is perfect to my ears. 

Any stand-out recommendations, of late?

Regards,

David

@wharfy 

It's good to hear that the Pro-Ject is working out so well  for you (Not that I'm surprised). Did you have the chance to listen to any of the CDs I suggested awhile back? Curious  if you liked in particular

,Gerry Mulligan "Night Lights"

Oliver Nelson "Nocturne"

Mark Whitfield "Finger Painting" also features trumpeter Nicholas Payton.

Wes Montgomery "Smokin At The Half Note" he's with the Wynton Kelly Trio, it's good!!!

I believe you'll really like these via your Pro-Ject/Musetec 0005 combo.

BTW hope to have my Fidelizer Nickola 2 LPS in the near future (Being built right now).

Charles

@charles1dad -Wonderful recommendations. Thank you.

Gerry Mulligan "Night Lights"-A great sounding CD. My partner was listening to it and said the sound reminded her of a great cheesecake-rich textures and complexity. I’m a big GM fan and just ordered this one. And the accompanists are awesome-Bob Brookmeyer is a favorite.

Have you heard "Bob Brookmeyer and Friends"? What a band- Stan Getz, Gary Burton, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, and a guest appearance by Tony Bennett.

Oliver Nelson "Nocturne"-Sonorous sax like Ben Webster, I love the Duke Ellington influences. Just ordered this one, also. I was reading that all of Nelson’s originals were destroyed in 2008 Universal Studio fire. Ugh....

Wes Montgomery "Smokin At The Half Note"-I have "Full House", which appears to be a companion disc to Smokin at the 1/2 Note. And based on how much I enjoy it, I just ordered Smokin’. And how about that back-up group! You have to be GOOD to play with those guys. He’s another musician who lost all his originals in the Universal fire. Thinking (writing) outloud-How many jazz (and rock guitarists) can trace their lineage back to Charlie Christian?

Looking forward to your impressions of your LPS.

All the best for 2022!

David

@wharfy 

Gerry Mulligan "Night Lights"-A great sounding CD. My partner was listening to it and said the sound reminded her of a great cheesecake-rich textures and complexity. I’m a big GM fan and just ordered this one. And the accompanists are awesome-Bob Brookmeyer is a favorite

Now she described  an excellent analogy . I've had "Night Lights " for years and with my first listen I was struck by the very well captured full and rich authentic tones of all the instruments. Very beautifully played music by superb musicians that is recorded well. What more could one ask?

I have "Full House" as well, I believe that you'll really like "Smoking At The Half Note" I will seek out "Bob Brookmyer And Friends", thanks. If you listen to "Finger Painting" I believe you'll like it.  Terrific playing and well recorded. 

I hope to have the LPS soon😊

Charles 

@wharfy 

I've have about 50 hours on my Fidelizer Nikola 2 LPS (Manufacturer said 200 hours for complete burn-in). Directly out of the shipping box with  the initial listening exposure a few things were apparent within the first few hours and have gotten gradually better. In my opinion the Pro-Ject RS2 transport sounds excellent with the standard wall wart power supply. If someone decided to stop there they'd have a top level performing CD transport. 

With the use of the Nickola 2 LPS there is not a "night and day" difference.  It did not cause the wall wart powered Pro-Ject to sound broken.  There are clearly noticeable improvements that elevate the sound quality from an already high standard. 

1 The sound presentation opens up and the 3-dimensional aspect is heightened.  

2 You are aware of distinct spacing and separation between the musicians.

3 Dynamic contrast is improved particularly lower level or micro dynamics,  the overall sound is more nuanced. The subtle and small details are more apparent. 

4 What's already excellent resolving ability is taken further. 

5 The very good organic nature of the transport becomes more  organic and the musical flow is just impressively natural. The antithesis of mechanical/electronic/canned.

6 The Pro-Ject straight out of the box with the wall wart has beautiful natural tonality of instruments and human voice.  This my top sonic priority. I was actually surprised that this was improved. Wonderful fleshed out harmonically rich and fully expressed tone and timbre. Increased instrument reverberation and a very tactile/palpable presentation. 

This is what I hear specifically with the Fidelizer Nikola 2 LPS. I suspect that other high quality LPS would do similar things. The Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 transport with a very good LPS similar to mine paired with a high DAC is going to provide "superb " Redbook CD playback sound quality. 

Charles