Pro-Ject Tube Box E – New tube phono preamplifier

Phono preamps were the beginning of the so-called Pro-Ject Box Design Series, a product line that today presents itself as an extremely broad range of HiFi electronic components, which not only includes proven specialists, but also highly integrated solutions and thus allows the very flexible construction of HiFi systems perfectly adapted to individual ideas in a wide variety of price ranges.

But of course, for Pro-Ject Audio Systems as the world market leader in the field of record players, phono preamps are still essential components of the Pro-Ject Box Design Series, so it is not surprising that the company is now launching the Pro-Ject Tube Box E, a solution that is an innovative phono preamp in miniature format, and whose special feature is above all that it can offer a tube output stage in the entry-level Pro-Ject Box Design E Series line.

Phono preamp in miniature format with tube output stage

Pro-Ject Audio Systems promises that the new Pro-Ject Tube Box E will offer the rich sound character of a phono preamplifier based on tube technology in the entry-level Pro-Ject Box Design E Series, making it an affordable solution for a wide range of customers.

It should be emphasised that this is an almost tiny solution, measuring no more than 103 x 73 x 115 mm, and no more than 131 mm including the sockets. Nevertheless, the housing is made of stainless steel and an aluminium front in the tried and tested Pro-Ject Box Design Series style and is available in either black or silver. The Pro-Ject Tube Box E weighs in at 450 g.

Ultra low-noise circuitry in a discrete design and dual-mono construction

With the new Pro-Ject Tube Box E, the manufacturer explicitly emphasises the ultra-low noise circuitry based on a completely discrete design and therefore without any integrated OP amps, which are often used in this class. The circuit is also realised in a so-called double-mono design for optimum channel separation and relies on a FET input stage and an ECC83-based output stage.
The manufacturer also refers to audiophile polystyrene capacitors and a high-quality power supply based on a particularly well-filtered high-voltage anode power supply as further key features.

Designed for MM and MC pickup systems

It is not a matter of course that a phono preamp in this price range is equally suitable for MM and MC cartridge systems. The user can choose between 10 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 1 kOhm and 2 kOhm for the terminating resistor, and the capacitance can be set between 47 pF, 147 pF, 267 pF, 367 pF, 487 pF and 587 pF. The gain, which can be selected directly from the front, is available in 40, dB 43 dB, 50 dB, 53 dB, 60 dB and 63 dB. If desired, a subsonic filter can be activated via an additional button on the front of the Pro-Ject Tube Box E. The connections of the Pro-Ject Tube Box E are gold-plated RCA sockets.

Prices and availability

The new Pro-Ject Tube Box E will soon be available from specialist retailers. As described, the customer can choose between silver and black. The recommended retail price is listed at € 299,-.

Getting to the point

The new Pro-Ject Tube Box E is a phono preamp based on tube technology that offers a full, rich sound and guarantees a clean, detailed performance thanks to a completely discrete design with high-quality components, all at a particularly attractive price, according to Pro-Ject Audio Systems‘ promise regarding this new solution in the Pro-Ject Box Design E Series.