2. digital
  3. 166755-159189

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
amorstereo OP
64 posts
 
Two things,

First, disc I highly recommend you try the Black Cat Digit 110 AES/EBU cable that retails for $875. It's my reference cable and competes with much more expensive models.

Just got an Email from a recent owner of the Pro-Ject transport & LTA power supply: "With the LTA power supply the bass articulation, texture, and detail are significantly improved. The air and transparency around the musicians has improved, along with depth and width of the sound-stage. This transport, with the LTA power supply has made the most noticeable improvement in my system over any other component by far."

This is only one of the Emails I have received with the same superlative results.
rsf507
2,341 posts
 
Shouldn't the cable be a 75 Ohm cable? Not 110 ohm
amorstereo OP
64 posts
 
Hey rsf507,

I don't believe that this Black Cat cable is necessarily 110 Ohm. Its the name of this digital AES/EBU piece. If you want to check on it's Ohm rating give Chris a call, he'll inform you of its exact rating.
kully560
47 posts
 
for another thought on improving the project transport ,I build a umbilical power cord with the v quad cable from vh audio with the furutech connectors . it was another step or 2 up the ladder for like $80.00
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
"This is only one of the Emails I have received with the same superlative results"

The feedback from owners overwhelmingly tout the superiority of using a linear power supply with this transport. Makes me wonder why Pro-Ject even bothers with a switching mode power supply wall wart.
Charles
More to discover