Pro-Ject Head Box E – Extremely small, extremely powerful

Pro-Ject Audio Systems began launching a product line of so-called micro HiFi systems in the mid-1990s. What initially began with phono preamplifiers – after all, Pro-Ject Audio Systems has been the world market leader in record players for years – was gradually expanded to include other solutions such as amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, D/A converters and much, much more. With the Pro-Ject Box Design Series, an impressive number of micro HiFi devices have long been available, which can function either as proven specialists for specific tasks or as part of a complete HiFi system.

Now Pro-Ject Audio Systems is expanding the Pro-Ject Box Design Series once again with a further solution, namely the Pro-Ject Head Box E. This is a headphone amplifier that stands out from the mass of headphone amplifiers on the market despite its very small dimensions, as Pro-Ject Audio Systems states.

Micro in size, extreme performance

According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, it is above all the performance of the new Pro-Ject Head Box E that is impressive given its very, very compact size. Users can now easily utilise a solution for the playback of music via headphones in audiophile quality that can be used almost anywhere.

Pro-Ject Audio Systems emphasises that, unlike many other solutions on the market, the new Pro-Ject Head Box E does not rely on cheap integrated circuits, but rather on a circuit with a completely discrete design.

Discrete circuitry instead of integrated circuits

This discrete circuitry ensures that the new Pro-Ject Head Box E can actually provide sufficient power and, with its low-impedance output stage, can optimally drive a large number of headphones.

In addition, this solution is said to be characterised by a well thought-out circuit board layout, which not only leads to incredible performance values with clean measurements, but also ensures long-term reliability. The output power is specified in the data sheet as 665 mW at 32 ohms.

3,5 mm stereo mini jack, 6,3 mm stereo jack

The Pro-Ject Head Box E offers a pair of RCA sockets as input and also has a pair of RCA sockets as output so that signals can be easily looped through. A 3,5 mm stereo mini jack and a 6,3 mm stereo jack are available for connecting headphones. The front of the Pro-Ject Head Box E also has a rotary encoder for controlling the volume and a standby button. Power is supplied via an external 5 V 0.5 A DC power supply via USB-C port.

The Pro-Ject Head Box E measures no more than 103 x 37 x 120 mm and weighs no more than 390 g with its solid aluminium housing, which is available in silver or black.

Prices and availability

The new Pro-Ject Head Box E is now available from specialist retailers, and, as just mentioned, in a choice of silver or black. The manufacturer’s recommended retail price is € 119,-.

Getting to the point

According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, the new Pro-Ject Head Box E is a headphone amplifier from the Pro-Ject Box Design Series that is characterised above all by its excellent price-performance ratio. The aim is to provide customers with a headphone amplifier that offers high performance, low noise and all the prerequisites for an impeccable music performance in the smallest possible space, based on a discrete circuit design.