The Austrian company Pro-Ject Audio Systems has released the Pre Box S2 digital preamplifier/DAC/headphone amplifier in the Digital Edition 2023. The original Pre Box Digital S2 appeared exactly five years ago as part of a series of components with the S2 index, and the famous British Hi-Fi developer John Westlake.
Externally, the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 23 is the same device with three digital inputs, a little larger than a pack of cigarettes. Size, according to Pro-Ject, matters. According to the company, up to 70% of the production cost of Hi-Fi comes from the cabinet, so the Pre Box S2 can be considered an example of exemplary prudence.
This time around, the electronics with improved circuitry for separate power supplies, the main timer, and analog output stages were placed in its unchanged housing. The signal from the SABRE9603Q DAC chip is amplified in class A circuitry for both line out and headphones.
This version has increased the operating current for better compatibility with low impedance headphones and long cables. At the same time, the power supply current is reduced by 12%, and the jitter does not exceed 100 femtoseconds.
According to Pro-Ject, the ideal partner for the novelty (including in size) will be the Stream Box S2 Ultra , also designed by Westlake. Among other things, both devices accept commands from the supplied Pre Box S2 Digital remote control. It handles resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz for optical and coaxial inputs, decodes DSD64/128/256/512 and MQA for USB input, and is offered in a full variety of design options in two colors – black and silver.
The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital Edition 2023 DAC/Headphone Amplifier with preamp features is available in Europe for a suggested retail price of €500.
