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Help- Review on Phono Stage

I get email ads from Crutchfield Electronics.  Today was the top 10 products to review for 2019.

One item caught my eye....A Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono Stage....Price $ 400.00 (currently out of stock).

No reviews currently available. 

I was hoping someone here has purchased this piece of equipment and would provide some honest and down to earth opinions as to its function and operation.  Did a search inquire and nothing came back.......

Thank You!
quincy
8 responses Add your response
tablejockey
3,922 posts
 
Do a general web search. 
Heres one.
https://www.whathifi.com/pro-ject/tubebox-se/review
Maybe not the latest iteration, but it should give you perspective.

Its a $400 unit. If you have an entry level table, and want to hear what the fuss is all about, it might give you an idea? Other than that, units at this level seem to be novelty over performance.

Someone will chime in on what's hot for a budget tube phono. 


stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,428 posts
 
Never heard it but a tube preamp for 400.00, I wouldn't expect much.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
As stated, do your research but also check out "Parks Audio". I suspect they have something that price range & seem to be liked here. I bought one of their step up transformers a few years ago & was surprised how good it was.  
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,724 posts
 
If you want an inexpensive tube phono here is another option. Many positive reviews!
https://www.musicdirect.com/recommended-gifts-under-500/bellari-vp130-tube-phono-preamp
big_greg
6,658 posts
 
I had one of their older phone stages, the Tube Box II and it was OK, but nothing to get excited about.  I didn't keep it very long.  The small format is nice.

For $400 I'd get a Parks Puffin.  I just bought one and to my ears it sounds better than my $1000 Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena, which is no slouch on its own.
lewm
13,169 posts
 
At that price point, I’d go solid state: iPhono2.
quincy OP
356 posts
 
Ok, thanks for the honest opinions from group.  I am currently running a C-J EF1 phono stage and it is still performing well.  No reason to take a step down.  Thanks again.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
For solid state the Schiit Mani.
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