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 6 responses by tommylion

A question for those of you who have the RS2; have you found not being able to program tracks to be an issue at all? I am very much intrigued by the reports of its sound quality, I am just not sure that I could do without the ability to program tracks. Seems like a glaring omission to me.

Is there any way to program tracks with the Pro-ject? I looked at the manual on their website, and couldn’t find anything.
Thanks Terry. Regarding my question above, I assume there must be a way to program tracks? It would seem a rather glaring omission, if not.

I emailed the Pro-ject US importer about programming tracks, and this is the reply I received:

 

Thanks for reaching out.

The RS2 T does not support track programming. It is a pure CD transport playback device.


Best regards,

Pro-Ject Customer Support Team@

Pro-Ject USA


The lack of the ability to program tracks may not matter to some, but, for me, it's likely a deal killer. I get putting sound quality over features, but I’m having a hard time understanding how implementing track programming would impact sound quality??? This is the first transport/player I’ve run across without it.

Just wanted others who may be considering the CD Box RS2 to be aware of this omission.
My dealer says the RS2 is no longer available till November because they are going through some optical drive issues with their current production.
Can anyone else confirm this?
Am dying to buy one :)

Don't know if this is true or not, but, if it is, maybe they could use this opportunity to add track programming? Still shaking my head at that omission.
“I asked him about the Pro-Ject and how he felt it compared to the Jays and although he felt the Pro-Ject sounded better, he never warmed to the feel and use of the Pro-Ject. Different strokes for different folks.”

I wonder if it’s because the Pro-Ject doesn’t allow you to program tracks? It still boggles my mind that they left out this feature, one that virtually every other CD player or transport has, and it was deliberate, not accidental.