Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B - Audiophile balanced phono preamp with tubes

With the new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B, Pro-Ject Audio Systems once again presents a solution from the Pro-Ject Box Design Series, which is fully in line with the Pro-Ject Audio System Plan B, a strategy according to which symmetrical signal transmission should be the standard for vinyl records, across the entire signal chain. Of course, this requires appropriate phono preamps, and the new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B is intended to be just such a device.

Not only is it a solution based on tube technology, this phono preamp from the Pro-Ject Box Design S Series is equipped with balanced inputs and outputs and should therefore guarantee the finest results at an attractive price.

Audiophile tube sound

Tubes stand for real analogue sound, warm, dynamic and powerful, as well as with gentle highs, is how Pro-Ject Audio Systems describes the sound character of the new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B, which, according to the company, is based on High-end technology.

The circuitry of this phono preamplifier is completely discrete, with a dual-mono design for optimum channel separation. High-quality components ensure that the Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B has particularly low noise and low distortion. According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, a semi-passive RIAA equalisation and two ECC83 (12AX7) tubes are used in the output stage. Pro-Ject Audio Systems particularly emphasises the fact that these tubes can be replaced.

B stands for Balanced

As already mentioned in the introduction, the new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B is a phono preamp designed for fully balanced signal routing. The B in the name is a clear indication of this, as it stands for Balanced.

This means that a record player can be connected via a 5-pin mini XLR connection in order to benefit from a balanced signal path. Alternatively, a pair of RCA sockets is of course also available for unbalanced signal routing. On the output side, there is also a pair of RCA sockets for unbalanced signal routing, but also a pair of XLRs for balanced signal transmission to the amplifier.

According to Pro-Ject Audio Systems, the advantage of a balanced signal path is that all noise that could possibly be added to a normal, unbalanced signal is removed, so that only the original musical information is transmitted perfectly.

Suitable for MM and MC cartridge systems

The new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B is equally suitable for turntables equipped with MM or MC cartridge systems, with Pro-Ject Audio Systems emphasising the very flexible and, above all, convenient adjustment directly via the front of the phono preamplifier.

The input impedance can be selected between 10 Ohm, 50 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 1kOhm and 47k Ohm, the input capacitance between 50 pF, 150 pF, 300 pF and 400 pF, and the gain between 40 dB, 45 dB, 60 dB and 65 dB.

It should also be explicitly mentioned that two record players can be connected to the Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B at the same time and that this solution has an optional subsonic filter that can be activated.

The Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B comes in a solid metal housing with an elegant aluminium front, with a choice of black or silver. The Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B measures 206 x 81 x 153 mm and weighs 1.01 kg according to the data sheet.

Prices and availability

The new Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B is now available from specialist retailers. Pro-Ject Audio Systems quotes a recommended retail price of € 599,- for this solution.

Getting to the point

Once again, Pro-Ject Audio Systems presents a phono preamplifier which, true to the Pro-Ject Audio Systems Plan B, is designed as a balanced solution. This is a further step towards making balanced signal transmission the industry standard for record playback. Another special feature is that this is a phono preamp that uses tubes in the output stage.