Phono Box DS3 B
True Balanced, Dual Mono & Fully Discrete Audiophile Phono Stage
A New Level of Balance
The New Phono Box DS3 B
At Pro-Ject, balanced connections were exclusive to our RS range of products until now. The Phono Box DS3 B model offers some of the high-end features of the Phono Box RS2 at an affordable price and trusted Pro-Ject quality. One of those is our new True Balanced Connection.
High-End Features and Limitless Loading Options
The Phono Box DS3 B employs a steel chassis enveloped by aluminium panels. This construction offers very high rigidity and isolation against interferences, which is essential for the new technology inside. Magnetic wooden side panels are available separately as add-ons. You can connect up to two turntables simultaneously – all parameters for each input get stored in the memory. Perfectly match the Phono Box DS3 B to a wide variety of cartridges. Load impedance can be set continuously via a potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, to adjust the impedance during playback and assess the impact of different loading options in real-time. No other manufacturer implements this feature as elegantly!
Balanced By Nature
Cartridges are balanced signal transducers by nature! Due to the internal wiring of MM cartridges, you'll need a MC cartridge to access the entirety of that balanced signal. Together with our new True Balanced Connection cables you'll be able to access high-end features that were previously only available on the most expensive phono stages. And the best: any Pro-Ject turntable with RCA, miniXLR or 5P output can do it!
A Technical Deep Dive
The Phono Box DS3 B incorporates a true, fully balanced gain stage design. Whether you're using a single-ended RCA or balanced connection, both times the fully symmetrical gain stage can optimize the signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the fully passive and discrete RIAA equalization stage with the cleanest signal to work its magic on. Entirely split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve. The Phono Box DS3 B uses fully discrete audio circuitry. A discrete circuit is composed of disparate, individual electronic components, also called discrete components. Years of experience have proven that even the best Op-Amps do not come close to the neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid presentations of discrete circuit.
True Balanced Connection
The symmetrical design is the fundamental standout feature! Connect your turntable via the 5-pin mini XLR cable or standard XLR cables and enjoy the benefits of our new True Balanced Connection. A truly balanced gain stage can extract the final musical information, effectively filtering out any noise from interferences stemming from our noisy, modern homes (household appliances, wifi & Bluetooth, power cables, audio amplifiers).
High-End Features
Limitless Loading
Steel & aluminium casework. Entirely discrete audio circuitry. Fully symmetrical gain stage. Split passive RIAA EQ. Dual mono. Balanced in & outputs. Stepless impedance matching.
True Balanced
Unleash the full power
Phono Box DS3 B is ready for our new True Balanced Connection. Single-ended RCA connections, quite literally, only use half of your cartridge's output. With one of our new True Balanced phono cables and an MC cartridge you'll hear details and dynamics, previously exclusive to only the most expensive phono stages.
Handmade in EU
Since 1991
Made in Europe by technicians, engineers and designers with decades of experience. Expert craftsmanship. Sustainable products with a long lifetime. Audiophile audio performance.
Colour Options
Technical Specifications
| Input impedance: | Stepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms |
| Input capacitance: | 50, 150, 300, 400 pF |
| Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out sockets): | 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 dB |
| Signal / Noise ratio MM (40dB): | 104dBV, 111dBV - ‚A‘ weighted |
| Signal / Noise ratio MC (60dB): | 85dBV, 91dBV - ‚A‘ weighted |
| THD at 1 kHz: | <0,001% MM, < 0,004% MC |
| THD (20Hz-20kHz): | <0,005% MM, < 0,01% MC |
| RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: | < 0,25dB / 20Hz - 20kHz |
| Subsonic filter: | at 20Hz with 18dB/octave |
| Input: | 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono |
| Line-level output: | 1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR |
| Wiring XLR sockets: | 1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold” |
| Trigger In/Out: | 12V on/off detector |
| Power supply DC: | 18V/500mA |
| Power consumption: | 18V/max.290mA DC, <0.5 W standby |
| Dimensions: | 206 x 72 x 194 (205 with sockets) mm |
| Weight: | 1480g without power supply |
Downloads
Reviews
“This duo is a superb demonstration of a fully balanced analogue front-end”
UK, 11.2022
• The exceptionally low levels of noise are superb and help this duo deliver one of the most airy and three-dimensional performances at the price.
“A luscious application, of discreet components“
Germany, 06.2022
• Even a non-balanced source benefits from a balanced input, as it breaks the hum loop of the ground connections often merged at the turntable and amplifier.
• On the front of the “box”, available in black and silver, there are more than enough adjustment options for virtually any pickup on this planet.
• Since the amplification factor (40dB to 65 dB) is not coupled to the operating mode “MM” or “MC”, Pro-Ject’s phono preamplifier can also be adapted to moving-iron systems with low output voltage.
• Vinyl lovers can continuously fine-tune the load impedance, for MCs via a small potentiometer – in the wide control range from 10 ohms to 1 kiloohm.
• In the listening test with proven MM and MC cartridges, the phono box convinced with an exemplary clean and above all very low-noise sound image for its price class, which radiated quite wonderful “analog” composure, calmness, and warmth.
• The sample from Austria, on the other hand, always seemed a bit “smoother” and preferred to seduce with a pleasantly rich sound.
• The phono box DS3 B sounded surprisingly mature and musical for the money. Especially in MC mode, it could fully show its strengths and its low noise.
“A fascinating and emotionally engaging vinyl set“
Germany, 09.2022
• For the fully balanced and thus interference-resistant design from the signal generation to the output from the phono stage, a multiple would have to be paid elsewhere. For just under two and a half grand, the proud buyer acquires a fascinating and emotionally engaging vinyl chain from the turntable market leader.
