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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

Showing 1 response by gakman

gakman
68 posts
 

I bought the "Demo" for sale at AA, one thing I didn't know is their Demo's are actually customer returns. Already somewhat questionable, but for a very good price I decided to take a chance. 

I have to say that I've never heard CD's sound so good, But after three+ hours of listening there was a few like static sounding noises produced, then on the next song there was about six quick same sounds in a row. It continued  playing the disc after the noises were through.

I've now had this for about 2 weeks, and every listening session there has been at some point the same static noise interruption. I was told by the sales person it comes with the warranty and I do have a 60 day return window.

I really want to keep this and have it serviced under warranty as the sound reproduction is almost stunning, but I'm also afraid that option may prove to be a long term mistake. 

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