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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
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
266 posts
 
I bought a rs2 cd box the OP spoke of...

It is beyond sublime... I always thought my rega RP8 was best in my system even compared to my sacd player.. Then got the rs2 cd box playing into the same chord qutest... Now here (or should that be hear) is the nub
Playing hybrid SACD my project sounds better playing the CD layer than my arcam sounds playing the SACD layer on the same disc. Not just one example either... All of the hybrid ones I own
And as for tidal master... There is no comparison... This old 80s tech still has its place...
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
266 posts
 
And I just picked up a project  4 way power supply less than 1/3 price off the dreaded Bay... Does sound better but will need to do proper listen before I offer thoughts but straight off... Better seperation, wider SoundStage and bass seems to have sharper bigger punch (a bit the bass I get from vinyl) 
toolbox149
248 posts
 
Can someone measure how much clearance is needed to fully open the Project RS2 when changing disks?   My shelving room is a little tight and I’m not sure I’ll be able to fully open the top.

Thanks,
Tim
amorstereo OP
64 posts
 
Hey Tom,
Including the height of the transport chassis you will need about 10 inches with the lid wide open to comfortably change discs. You could get away with maybe a few inches shorter,but you would have to be much more attentive/careful when placing the CD and clamp during operation for the next disc.
toolbox149
248 posts
 
Teajay;
Thank you.  Unfortunately, that may be a deal breaker.  Especially since I really love my Jays CDT2 Mk2.  I probably will just move up the Jays line. Thanks to you I have the Jays in my system and the sound has been superb. So, a little more Jays goodness might be exactly what I would want anyway.  
I’m just having a difficult time figuring out which Jays I want to try.

Thanks again,
Tim
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