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.
I have never been a fan of P.S. Audio gear for two reasons: 1) There build quality. 2) Underwhelming performance-Both the DACs and transport.
I have talked to two individuals that I trust their "ears" and both thought the Pro-Ject transport was superior in it's performance compared to the latest version of the P.S. Audio PWT transport.
Hi Terry, I've used the PWT very happily the past 9 years (Haven't used their DAC) and it's been very natural sounding and musically engaging. But that's just me and individuals will differ in their experiences and opinion, so definitely no problem. I really appreciate your feedback comments. The Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 has most certainly caught my attention thanks to you initiating this thread 👍. Charles
The Project is on my radar as well as the PS Audio transport. Some Project users have complained about having a noisy unit which concerns me. The PS Audio seems more complicated, more ways to break down? It has an innovation that removes the noise from the signal that sounds intriguing. The Jays is out there as well but I can't seem to find 100% clarity thats its significantly better than my CXC and if there is a large gap compared to the Project or PS Audio. With the $$ involved with these units I would expect them to last a long time.
@musichead, My first generation P.S.Audio PWT has been rock solid reliable with 9 years of heavy usage. Sonically I preferred it to an early generation Esoteric transport with VRDS I was using (Also very reliable and still working!).
I suspect the current now called PST (Can play SACD via I2S connectivity) sounds excellent. The recent October price reduction puts in the range of the Pro-Ject RS2. The Jay's Audio MK III is less expensive than these two. I believe that any of these 3 transports is a clear step upward from the Cambridge (For a higher cost).
I have no doubt that all 3 are upper tier solutions for spinning CDs compared to lower budget alternatives. If I replace my older PWT I suspect that any of the 3 transports would be an upgrade. By how much? That remains to be seen. My gut feeling is that the Pro-Ject is very probably the best sounding. I based this on comments and feedback from those who are familiar to some extent with all of them.
There have been enough posters on this thread who've compared the Jay's Audio and Pro-Ject and find the latter better sounding. If/when I make a move to get another CD transport it will be the Pro-Ject RS2. There have been a number of RS2 owners posting here and noise has not been raised as an issue. So perhaps an isolated problem with only a few units. Charles
In regard to the discussion of noise issues with the Pro-Ject, my experience has been that it is dead silent. This is both in terms of the mechanism (eg, with some other players I could hear the disc spinning if I got close to the player) and the output (with the volume up on my amp and the Pro-Ject turned on, my speakers are dead silent even when very close to them). The latter is mostly the amp, I know. Anyway, not really data, but an anecdotal report from a happy owner.
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.
This thread has really tempted me to buy the Pro-Ject Transport. But a very similar thing has happened to me in the past and this feels like a deja vu, and I am confused.
There was a mid-fi product that was greatly oversold by a reputed forum member in this forum, there were lots of people who bought it and aha-ed and oho-ed this product, claiming it to be as good as SET amp etc (it was a Class D product). And I was in the market for a new amp and went for it, and it was a great disappointment. I don't know if these guys were deaf, were paid off by the brand, or didn't know what high-end sound was (or were in denial), or what were they smoking?. I sold it at a loss of course. IMO it was not subjective, anyone with some discernment would have called BS on this amp.
Now this is a similar situation, a CDT produced by a "mid-fi" brand that is reputed to be a world champion. I am just about the pull the trigger again. But this time I am thinking twice, three times and more. Only thing slightly different is that, this time it is a reputed reviewer not some random forum member who might have lot of posts and lot of miles on them but very questionable tastes, but is that better or worse. I don't know.
Thoughts? Anyone have faced similar quandary in the past, or facing it now. Would love to hear.
essrand, something like that happened to me years ago with the Supratek Syrah. I took the plunge and ended up being very happy that I'd listened to the buzz. And now I'm happy I listened to Teajay and others re the Pro-Ject. But I definitely understand the hesitation.
Subjectivity is such an integral part of High End audio so I’m not sure how one would get around this. There have been multiple positive listening impressions posted here by members most would find credible. Still doesn’t mean that you will share their opinion once you’ve heard it.
The Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 does utilize the very latest Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 drive mechanism along with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo. Midfi? Acustic Arts Audio uses this exact mechanism for their flagship CD transport. Gryphon Audio did the same with their flagship Ethos CD player.
If you’re that apprehensive then get the unit from Music. Direct or Audio Advisers who offer trial periods and return policies. For what it is worth I recently acquired the RS2 transport and to the point, it’s stunningly good sounding!!! My impression probably will not impact your position in any manner. The retailers offering an audition trial is your best anxiety avoidance option. To the owners of this transport who took the time to provide their perspectives, thanks, you all absolutely nailed it!
@charles1dad TBH your post has tipped me towards taking the plunge. Let's see how this gamble pays off.
I guess another way to evaluate the subjectiveness of a forum member's opinion (or even a reviewer) is to look at their gear, and if you have heard them and liked them or better yet owned them, then some measure of certainty can be gained. I loved the Coincident Dragon, Frankenstein when I owned them, also the Linestage (which not as much, but I was told that I should tube-rolled before flipping it).
Will place an order today, I heard that Pro-Ject is updating the software (firmware?) of the Transport so shipping is delayed till January for fresh units. Will buy one of those.
Cheers, and thanks for listening me out, patiently, everyone. Fingers crossed on this.
. I received my Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 transport yesterday, thus my proclaiming that it sounds stunningly good! And sounding better this evening.
Numerous testimonials on this thread from very happy users of this unit. @esstrand no hyperbole , the RS2 transport is simply superb.
1. I'm using the supplied SMPS wall wart.
2. It's sitting on a rack shelve rather than a Star Sound Apprentice platform for vibration/resonance management.
3. It no way near being broken-in yet.
Despite these factors it's undeniably a top tier CD transport. Most impressive to me at this very early stage is it accomplishes being quite resolving and beautifully organic in character with spot on vocal and instrumental weight and tonality.
@esstrand I feel very confident in predicting that you will be very pleased with this Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 in your audio system.
Someone had earlier in this thread asked if this transport was noisy. I can say that my unit is absolutely silent. It's compact but very solidly constructed and sturdy. Aluminum and carbon fiber, no cheap plastic.
"immense listening pleasures to my daily sessions"
Thanks @wig. .Anyone who believes that the transport doesn’t matter or has modest impact is profoundly mistaken. This Pro-Ject transport is just wonderful! 3 days in and it has exceeded my expectations. Does it really need a linear power supply?😃
Terry, Can you give a short list of DACs under $5000 that you would recommend for using with the project CD transport? I'm not interested in headphone amp or preamp functions.
Thank you. Their dedicated Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2T is strictly a transport and has no tubes. You may be thinking of their DAC BOX RS2 which offers a solid state and tube analogue output stage.
Thanks Terry for the info. I' be been a Naim guy since way back when my wife and I took several of your classes. We talked a lot about jazz and our tastes allign. My cds3 is kaput and am wondering if the project and audio mirror combo would give me the PRaT I am accustomed to...
I can't speak for Terry obviously but I can confidentially say that the musical pace.flow. fluidity and rhythm of music is exceptionally fine via the Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2T and my Yamamoto DAC. I can not imagine why your experience would be any different. This transport will extract the best from any good quality DAC in my opinion. 85-90% of my listening is to jazz music and it is marvelous!
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.
Thanks and appreciate your listening feedback. Even with the stock wall wart power supply you preferred the Pro-J3ct to your Jay's Audio Lab CD transport. Was this "electronic signature/overlay" noticeable to you then or only aware of relative to the LPS addition?
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.
This designed by same guys designed Phillips Pro transport back in the day, I do miss my Mark Levinson No. 37., Never found satisfactory replacement for transport after it died, motivation to go to streaming exclusively. Anyway, I believe all the accolades given this transport based on designers and my experience with Phillips Pro.
Back in the day Mark Levinson was seeking an uppermost tier CD drive solution for their top line No 37 transport. Fast forward to now and Gryphon Audio and Accustic Audio seem similarly motivated by selecting the current CD PRO-8 drive from Stream Unlimited.
Go to their home page and select the "Brand Partner" tab at the top, where you will see Pro-ject listed, along with the various other brands TMR represents. Note: this does NOT mean they have every Pro-ject component in stock! As it happened, someone ordered the transport many months ago and then changed their mind. Apparently, Sumiko still required TMR to purchase the unit, thereby rendering it available for purchase by another buyer. Having read this thread, I decided I wanted to try the transport but finding it was out of stock from A. Advisor, called TMR and just happened to got lucky. "Right place at the right time".
FYI, Upscale Audio is a Pro-ject dealer, as is Music Direct, although I'm personally not a fan of the latter.
Underwood Hifi is also a Pro-Ject dealer. I am very pleased with my transaction experience with them.This transport's availability is becoming relatively scarce.
Underwood, as far as I know, does not accept returns on Pro-ject.
I've found showroom demos can be unreliable and while I read reviews extensively before purchasing, I'd never buy a component solely on the basis of a review, without the option to return it. Others here have different approaches but this one works for me.
I know some people there at MD ,you ask them about the product, 80% of the time their response? You have 60 days to try it. Upscale most of them are knowledgeable especially on turntables, tubes etc.[
I second charles1dad's appreciation for Underwood HiFi. I bought my Pro-Ject (as well as a number of other items over the years) from Walter. In each case, the transaction has been excellent -- service, speed, etc.
Why would anybody buy from Music Direct for Full MSRP?? The reason NOT to buy from them...or anybody like them...is you arent getting a discount and you arent building a personal relationship that will save you LOTS of dough down the road. Find dealers that will give you at least 15% off (I never take less than 20%). Music Direct/Crutchfield etc your just a statistic. Some guys have no business acumen at all.
1, Better price but no audition period or option to return the component.
2, Higher price but includes ability to home audition and return for what ever reason.
Just depends on the buyer's personality and disposition. In this particular I was comfortable with option 1. The Pro-Ject CD BOX RS2 transport has found a permanent home. 😊
@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebookAnd then one day there will be no dealers because of tire kickers and bargin hunters. Some brands do not need to be discounted because they stand on their quility and brand.
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