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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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@desalvo55

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

jriggy's avatar
jriggy
549 posts
 

It seems like us Audiophiles learn and relearn about break-in over and over again in the forums. But it’s still always good to see:)  
If we had an audiophile rules 101, I’d want *do not evaluate or draw conclusions about a new out-of-the-box component at all for at least 48 hours. 

chopandchange
44 posts
 

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.

 

 

 

bobheinatz
705 posts
 

Great video on the Audiolab.  It would be great if someine has compared the 6000t with the pro-ject.

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,015 posts
 

Got rid of my Audiolab cdt....did not care for it, and it was much too large for what it does... I think my Marantz hdcd1 sounds better and it is only 12 x 12 inches...Also have a brand new yet to set up Cyrus cdt....looks to be a quality unit. It too is quite compact.

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