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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
essrand
295 posts
 
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 :)
tommylion
872 posts
 
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.
jaudio1
120 posts
 
I just read a post on another forum complaining about excessive noise coming from some of these pro-ject rs2 transports. For the people that own them can you comment if you have heard any excessive noise when spinning disc’s ? 
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
549 posts
 
@jaudio1, I read the same in a YT comment and asked that in this thread already. 

Also, just checked the Audio Advisor website and sure enough, it says the transport will be available again in November. And just when I was poised to purchase in July…


amorstereo OP
64 posts
 
Guys, absolutely no issues with noise coming from the transport. My review sample has worked flawlessly after hundreds of hours of use. I also checked with the importer who said both statements (noise problems/lack of product) are not correct. Yes, like virtually all high-end gear there is a longer waiting time than usual, but no problems with their production.
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