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

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.

Why would anybody buy from Music Direct for Full MSRP?? The reason NOT to buy from them...or anybody like them...is you arent getting a discount and you arent building a personal relationship that will save you LOTS of dough down the road.  Find dealers that will give you at least 15% off (I never take less than 20%). Music Direct/Crutchfield etc your just a statistic. Some guys have no business acumen at all.

Well I can see it both ways.

1, Better price  but no audition period or option to return the component. 

2,  Higher price but includes ability to home audition and return for what ever reason. 

Just depends on the buyer's personality and disposition. In this particular I was comfortable with option 1.  The Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 transport has found a permanent home. 😊

Charles 

@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook And then one day there will be no dealers because of tire kickers and bargin hunters. Some brands do not need to be discounted because they stand on their quility and brand.