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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 3 responses by jaymark

jaymark's avatar
jaymark
519 posts
 
I inserted the new Project high end CD transport in place of Jay Audio's latest high end transport in my exercise room audio system.  I went out of town and returned 30 hours later - it had played continuously.  Both are excellent transports.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I give the Jay a 9 and the Project a 9.5.  As Terry previously said, the Project has more air and, IMO, a bit better soundstage.  The Project is much smaller though very dense feeling and is for sure nothing to look at.  

I bought an open box Project transport from Music Direct.  Still it was about 500 dollars more than the Jay Audio transport. Again, both transports are really, really good.  But in my system, the Project is discernably better.
jaymark's avatar
jaymark
519 posts
 

I just added the LTA linear power supply and will wholeheartedly vouch that it is a noticeable plug and play improvement over the stock walwart power supply.  What is the difference?  Definitely more air and a sense if space and dimensionality.  Impressively, there is a marked reduction in the electronic sonic signature that overlays the music with the stock power supply.  I am for sure glad that I spent the money to upgrade to the LTA power supply.  

jaymark's avatar
jaymark
519 posts
 

Charles, it sounds really good with the stock power supply and I did notice the electronic overlay.  However, it was virtually all gone with the new LTA power supply.  No question that the power supply made the difference.

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