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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
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
564 posts
 
@lrm1jaf  I think the I2s is only for Pro-Ject’s corresponding DAC. That, or it only works with DAC of a certain i2s configuration, as there are like four different ways i2s output can be configured…
 The Denafrips Terminator has a function to set the configuration of the i2s input to accept from different sources… But again, I believe the one on this unit is for Pro-Ject use only. 
jaudio1
121 posts
 
Since this Pro-Ject RS2 Transport is so incredibly good...it has me thinking that I need to try the matching DAC.  Has anybody here heard the Pro-Ject Prebox RS2 DAC ?  Personally I am not a big fan of sabre based dacs but considering the project dac has 4 6922 tubes that can be engaged using the remote plus various filters it has me curious to try it out.  It's the only dac that you can connect via the transports IS2 connection.  If anybody here has heard this combo please chime in and give us your thoughts.

essrand
297 posts
 
@in_shore Would love to hear your thoughts comparing the Aeon to rs2, been eyeing both.
lrm1jaf
14 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Chinese LPS on Ebay?  This guy specifically makes his LPS for Project products (20v 3amp)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124420057268?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
Essrand I am floored how good the RS2 sounds , I use a Holo Audio May KTE dac with the option of configurable i2s , no luck . Project must use a specific pin out only for their brand as stated .
Im using coax . The 432 Evo Aeon i had was the full option model at $8500.00 ,it’s sold .
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