Ah...just got off the phone with Pro-Ject and it looks like it was another shot in the dark as far as my hopes for something that could compete with RS2 CD Box transport. It turns out that the DS3 is just the DS2 with a different DAC and one fewer digital out (no AES).
Once the AKM factory fire happened, they had to go out and source another brand and went with TI and that's about it. Their best advice is to save up the pennies and not be in a hurry.
Looks like I'm going back to the CEC TL5 for now, if and when Technics gets the SU-G700M2 out for sale stateside. I never liked tempests in teapots. 😄
All the best,
Nonoise