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)
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)
338 responses Add your response
I received the LTA power supply last week and fresh out of the box we found it profoundly different than the stock switcher. We did find the stock switching power supply very good. It has its strengths. The midrange became the focal point with vocals being very convincing and especially smooth. Dynamics lacked but being a power supply, it needed seasoning. Im at the twenty hour mark and the LTA is really opening up. The Pro-hectic really is showing what it is capable of against my very good streaming system. I haven’t gone back and A-B’d as I’m waiting for a AES/BU cable (Audio Envy) to show up. I ordered the wrong version - coax- and although sounded very good considering it is not broken in, I wish for the former and a longer length as well. A few days ago a received a set of Townsend foot pods. They are intended for my phonostage, but first tried them under my May KTE DAC. Not a noticeable improvement vs the maple, I tried them under the maple that holds the Pro-next and the LTA. That was a noticeable improvement. More space, greater separation, just more of everything. The footers are still going under my phonostage but I may order a set of the foremention footers in this thread or the Lessloss bindbenders (may have spelled that wrong). Predictably, the CD transport plays better with appropriate damping. |
It’s now 2022 ! I to am thinking about getting a really good (yet somewhat affordable) CDT - so how are we all getting on with our choices here. Is the Pro-Ject still king of the hill? Is it still performing above and beyond or are we all getting complacent with it? There’s also a stupendously good review on a very budget CDT - the Audiolab 6000 CDT here: I doubt it’s in the same league though whatever the review.
|
Thanks for sharing your early listening impressions of the RS2T. I’m glad you stuck with it, gave it a few days and avoided an impulsive conclusion. Well I for one can honestly say that my out-of-the-box listening impression was terrific! Within the first 30 minutes of listening I recognize it was better sounding than my cherished P.S. audio PWT. It clearly improved within just a few hours of play. And this was realized using the standard wall wart power supply. It’s only got better with additional hours of use. When I added a LPS, another noticeable step up from an already high performance level. I’m glad to read ythat you are very pleased with this CD transport. It is fantastic as far as I am concerned. Charles |
I received my RS2 transport a few days ago. I'll give you my initial impressions (well, mine and my wife's). Out of the box, I was ready to send it back. Pretty disappointed really. At the same time, I didn't have a solid cable option nor did I have a LPS but dang this box had no bass and sounded entirely disjointed. It felt like an amplifier or cable that needed severe maturing, but for some reason I dismissed that. I mean, it a Transport right? So I figured it was placement and cable issue. I don't have many options, no AES cable so I substituted a very good balanced cable, the right one I think... I got a generic optical and a Coax from long ago, but a good one. Next day it still sounded weird but a few songs played well. Wife liked Jesse Cook but Frank Duval was lifeless and completely uninvolving. I was also disappointed that Pro-jects i2s doesn't mean i2s in the Holo May world. I use a Holo May KTE and tried all 4 configurations. No bueno. It was further troubling that there are so many audio stars in this thread, teajay, Charles1dad and others, that have such a positive "spin" on this transport. What am I missing? There was something else though. Behind the confusion of the music there appeared to be a lot more information emanating from the silver box compared to my stellar streamer system, which was was destroying the RST-2 in sound quality. I had moved the RST-2 to maple but didn't get a sense of improvement. Maple was game changing on my Lindemann Musicbook. Day 3. What happened? I now had lower end. Music had become organized. Textures were being realized and space now had a representation of location. But way more than that. There is a palpable suddenness, an explosion of sounds that come so fast that it takes us by surprise. I look at the Allnic and say, "you little devil you, you're a part of bringing what the RS2 has brung". I would say that there's not the accurate front to back layering (room issue?) I had experienced with the very best of systems and perhaps a not so smoothness, digital glare maybe, whatever the heck that is. But here I am with perhaps not the best cable that my system deserves given where my system is at. Now my streamer is nervous, very nervous. Who's this new kid in town? So we sat and replayed Duval and other CD's that basically sucked @ day one. 20 hours in it's is a completely different sonic picture. Busy in the yard, busy at a picnic, today I wanted to spin more discs. I want to hear even more. My CD collection is not only reinvigorated, it's looking forward to more friends. OK so I'm going to ask, which one of you, or all of you, thought the RST-2 sounded good out of the box? Am I the only malcontent? Thanks to the forum members for putting me on the right - track. |
The CD transport is your source component as it preceeds the DAC in your signal chain. There are those who will say any decent CD player/transport will be fine as it’s only about the 1s and 0s. I vehemently disagree with this shallow and superficial mindset. The higher the quality and thus competency of the vital CD transport, the better the resultant sound quality. I strongly believe that it’d be pennywise and pound foolish to go skimp on the transport by thinking only the DAC matters. They both matter. An argument could be made that the transport (source) is equally as important as the DAC if not in fact more so. Attention paid to a solidly constructed CD spinning mechanism that seriously addresses vibration management is very crucial. Cheaper budget transports won't offer the same degree of attention or implementation (You have to cut corners somewhere to keep it inexpensive). My advice is to buy the best quality CD transport you can comfortably afford. I don’t believe that you’d ever 2nd guess this decision. The many positive testimonies in regard to the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport in this thread are accurate. As noted before, it is small in form factor (By design) but huge in its sonic performance. Excellent with the standard wall wart power supply and clearly improved if one uses an optional linear power supply. My 2 cents worth. Charles |
I am seriously looking at buying the Pro-ject Cdt based on all the great feedback from owners on this thread. Here's my question: I was originally going to put alot more of my budget into a DAC and spend about $500 - $1000 on the transport. With a total budget of $5k - $6k does it make sense to get the Pro-ject or spend the bulk of the budget on the dac? |
I had this happen once with a piece during a demo period. You had to be no farther than 7ft away and no farther than a 10 or 20 degree angle from the receiver… Unfortunately I didn’t hear about a fix after that but one thing you could try is to make sure that both remote and receiver on the unit are clean and with no crumbs of something obstructing the signal, if that’s even a thing for this type of signal. |
| Post removed |
Get in touch with @wig via Audiogon email. He had the Jay's Audio CDT2 MK 3 version prior to getting the Pro-Ject RS2 transport. Charles |
@jaymark and @charles1dad I am between the Jay's Audio CD2 Mk3 and the Project. However, did anyone compare the NEW 2019 Jay's Audio CD2 Mk3 rather than the prior model Mk2? Steve Guttenberg reviewed them both and found significant improvement in the Mk3 version sonically. How close are they now as the Jay's is $2500 and the Project with LTA power is closer to $4,000 (with taxes)? |
I don't know about how others feel but for "me" a non important feature. My listening pattern is playing the complete CD all the through. I could however see where this feature matters to someone else. Charles |
Just received my new (open box) Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T with Pro-Ject Linear Power Supply. It has been about three years since I have had a full time CD player in my system. It sounds fantastic connected via AES/ABU to my PS Audio Directstream DAC. The last player I used in my system was an Oppo BDP-103. Sound stage is much bigger, better defined bass and much better dynamics. One more vote for this awesome CD player!
|
@longinc - I bought the unit you mentioned below earlier today from Tmraudio.com. Didn’t see your link until now. I also bought an open box “Pro-Ject Power Box RS Linear Power Supply Black - For Single Unit” a couple of hours ago from audioadvisor.com. The Pro-Ject Power Box RS Linear Power Supply Black - For Single Unit sells for $540.00. I see a few folks here opted for the four unit output linear power supply, which goes for $799.00. I saved quite a bit on the open box one. “In case anyone is interested, an open box RS2T just popped up here: https://tmraudio.com/components/cd-sacd-players/pro-ject-cd-box-rs2-t-cd-transport-remote-open-box/“ |
Isn’t it interesting how great some things can sound ‘right out of the box’. Always give your system two days after unplugging moving and plugging in cables and power cords. The majority of what you know from your system will return by then…and then the nice ‘normal’ level of positive changes (level depending on what one is swapping from and to what) will show up 👍 |
So, I've beed following this and other Pro-Ject CD Box threads. What I have read convinced me to purchase one. I ordered last Sunday from Upscale Audio (terrific customer service, btw). They promptly shipped, and I awaited a Friday delivery. It arrived! I rushed home from work, doing my best to obey speed limits and full stops at stop signs. Took about 20 minutes to set-up. Tete Montoliu in the tray. First impressions-Incredible! PRAT-best I have experienced Depth of the soundstage. The speakers disappear. Attack and decay-wow! Presence and the "weight" of the instruments-the space between instruments has dimensionality. I am in the room with the musicians. The drums have full presence. And this is just one CD out of the box. Compared to my Cambridge transport (which is very good at its price point), what an upgrade! If you all could see the smile on my face. Stay tuned... |
@jayctoy:
Years ago I bought a few footers and cables recommended by a guy at M. Direct, which, to my ears, did nothing for my system. I returned them and in response, MD informed me that should I ever buy from them again, they would levy a 20% restocking fee. I can understand such a policy when someone orders a very expensive, exotic unit and returns it but in a case such as mine, no. If this makes me a "tire kicker", so be it but consider that since then, I've bought a DAC, a transport, three pair of ICs, two digital cables, two power cables, a headphone amp, three sets of Symposium Rollerblock Jr+'s and three Symposium shelves. None of this gear was purchased from M. Direct. When I upgrade my speakers in January, M. Direct will not be involved. Seems to me, their focus is on one-time buyers. I prefer to maintain long-term relationships with dealers who understand that I may make a mistake now and then and return something (which occurs very infrequently) but that I will keep coming back. Audio Art Cables and The Cable Co. are stellar examples and TMR are on their way to becoming another go-to dealer for me.
|
Ridiculous. What brands are you referring to?? Only brands that you cant get a discount for or not much of one is a Ultra Boutique brand that only has 1 Distributor and single digit dealers. All the names that everybody knows there is almost always a 40% Markup and 50-60% on Demo Gear. Plenty of room to get a good deal without much effort. Once you establish yourself as a solid customer (repeat business) you will start getting calls FROM the dealers asking you if you want X Product for a good price. Then there's always the brands that "purge" their old stock to dealers for a ridiculous price and you can steal stuff that is brand new for 50% off MSRP. Obviously you arent getting those calls so you have no idea what Im talking about. |
@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook And 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.
|
Well I can see it both ways. 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. 😊 Charles |
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. |
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.
|
@stewg: 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.
|