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
Here's what the OP noted between the 2 power supplies:

"Just got through with my evaluation of using Pro-ject's own up-graded linear power supply, which I stated earlier in this thread lead to significant improvements over their standard switch-mode power supply, with Linear Tube Audio's own customized linear power supply. LTA changed the rating from 12V-3A to 20V-3A.

These subtle but easy to hear positive changes were:
1) Transient speed and overall dynamics/aliveness increased.
2) The sound-stage opened up with more air around instruments.
3) Transparency/clarity went to a higher level.
4) The purity of timbres/tonality/colors increased.

Great stuff! The Linear tube Audio power supply costs $645, which is about two hundred dollars less than Pro-ject unit. Therefore, my conclusion is if you get this transport, go for the Linear Tube Audio power supply."
Hi @wig,
Much appreciation for that. Obviously the LTA linear power supply is a very high quality unit.  Any confirmation or concern about possible voided warranty coverage from Pro-Ject if alternative brand power supplies are utilized?
Charles 
No confirmation on warranty other than that which was previously mentioned but the OEM SPS is not made in Europe.
On the surface it would seem that the LTA LPS would be low risk , here’s an excerpt from LTA’s website - Project transports are one unit specifically referenced for using their LPS with. Apparently they tailor the LPS to the speciifc brand/model power requirements

Though designed for our MZ2, the LPS+ is an excellent linear power supply for many components that accept an external power supply. By default, the LPS+ outputs 12V / 3A, but custom voltages and amperages can be accommodated. If you have been considering another linear power supply, you owe it to yourself to consider the LTA LPS+.

Here are just a few of the products customers can improve with our LPS+:

  • Lumin Digital Audio Products

  • Mytek DACs

  • Pro-ject CD transports, Phono stages, Streamers…

  • Chord DACs

  • CAmbridge Audio DACs

  • RME DACs

  • Roon Nucleus

  • Intel NUC

  • iFi Audio Amps and DACs

  • Sonore MicroRendu & UltraRendu

  • SOtM Streamers

  • Topping DACs

  • Wyred4Sound DACs

  • Many others…

You will be asked to specify your device name and electrical requirements when adding the LPS+ to your cart.