Analog Gear News

Austrian gear makers Pro-Ject recently announced a pair of new products that are right up our analog alley. Meet their latest tubed phono preamps: a) the Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B — a tubed version of their existing S3 B phono pre — and b) the Pro-Ject Tube Box E. Both units offer a wide range of user-adjustable settings to suit a broad array of cartridges.

These two compact units represent additions to Pro-Ject’s tubed phono preamp line, which now totals four. (The company also manufactures lines of solid-state phono preamps.) The entry-level Tube Box E (seen above) draws on design elements from the extant Pro-Ject S2 Box, which will remain in the lineup, but the E gets to a lower price point by incorporating some different parts and a less costly chassis. (SRPs are listed at the end of this post.) Meanwhile, the Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B marks “a step up” from the S2 Box, both of which are made in Europe. The Tube Box S3 B brings balanced, dual mono circuitry with parts upgrades in a larger aluminum chassis.

Both new models are built for MM and MC playback. The Tube Box S3 B (seen above) is loaded with more bells and whistles for those vinyl fans who enjoy tinkering with their playback options. A look at the front panel of the S3 B makes this clear, as a list of tiny indicator lights beside each of the selectable settings for cartridge-loading adjustments — impedance loading for MC (five settings from 10ohms to 47kohms), capacitance for MM (four settings from 50 to 400pF), plus four gain options of 40dB, 45dB, 60dB, and 65dB (the XLR output connection adds 6dB). No dip switches or guesswork required. There’s also a defeatable subsonic filter (20Hz, with an 18dB per octave slope). The RIAA EQ is semi-passive, according to Pro-Ject.

The “B” in the S3 B’s name stands for “balanced.” There are advantages to pairing many of Pro-Ject’s phono preamps — including the S3 B — with turntables equipped for balanced output (naturally, many of the turntables that Pro-Ject makes). Pro-Ject notes that you can retain the balanced signal from the stereo cartridge’s channels through the next steps in the amplification chain.

The S3 B has inputs that include a balanced five-pin mini XLR (stereo), which calls for a balanced-ready turntable, or a pair of RCA phono connections. Outputs include a pair each of RCA and balanced XLR. It’s possible to connect two turntables at once, and the S3 B can save the settings for each table as you switch between them.

As a comparatively more basic model, the Tube Box E is equipped with RCA inputs and outputs only. Its circuitry design uses FETs in the input stage and no op-amps, according to Pro-Ject. The Tube Box E’s faceplate and control options — here, six different gain settings from 40dB to 63dB, plus the same subsonic filter as in the S3 B — are made of aluminum. Additional user-adjustable cart-loading settings for impedance and capacitance can be accessed on the bottom of the unit.

Both the Tube Box S3 B and the Tube Box E use a pair of ECC83 vacuum tubes (a.k.a. 12AX7 tubes) that are replaceable as needed — or as desired, for any of you tube rollers out there — and both units are shipping now (though we’re told that their arrival in the U.S. could take some additional time). In the meantime, those interested can decide between these Tube Boxes’ black or silver finish options, both of which are on display all throughout this post — and, once they do arrive stateside, we plan on getting a review in order for one (or both) of them!

Finally, let’s confirm the pricing. The Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B phono preamp has an SRP of $700 (€599), while the Pro-Ject Tube Box E phono preamp goes for $350 (€299).

For more about Pro-Ject, go here.
To find an authorized Pro-Ject dealer, go here.