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A phenomenal new CD transport-Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport

I have had in-house for the last week Pro-Ject's new CD Box RS2 transport to review for the website Stereo Times. I was very curious to assess its performance because it uses the Pro 8 drive with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card. This drive was developed and built by StreamUnlimited a company started by the original Phillips designers that historically built the finest CD mechanisms. Only two other companies use the StreamUnlimited 8 drive and Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card, their pieces cost $16,000 and $39,000 compared to Pro-Ject's sane price of $3,000!

My reference for the last two years has been the excellent Jay's Audio MK-II transport that had out-performed much more expensive highly regarded transports in my system. Well, across every sonic parameter  (transparency/micro-details-overall dynamics/bottom-end extension/purity of tonality- a much more airy sound-stage with wonderful 3D imaging) compared to the Jay's Audio transport.

That's way I titled this thread a "phenomenal new CD transport" because while not inexpensive, it just might be a bargain based on its performance. Mind you, this superlative level of performance is based on using the switching power supply that Pro-Ject ships the transport with. I have shortly coming a custom 20 watt 3 amp linear power supply from Linear Tube Audio and Pro-Ject's own upgraded power supply to see if the RS2 transport performance will even go to a higher qualitative level of performance.

I'll be writing a full detailed review for Stereo Times in the near future. However, I wanted to share this information to GON members who still spin CDs. I have had numerous CD transports in for evaluation and this just might be the best sounding of all of them.

Teajay (Terry London)




amorstereo
chayro
3,092 posts
 
I scrolled briefly through the thread to see if this was addressed, but I didn't see it (or just missed it) Arthur Salvatore once made comparisons using Esoteric transports and dacs and his conclusion was that the better transport with the lesser dac sounded better than the lesser transport with the better dac.  He was talking about all top-line Esoteric gear mind you. 
I think it would be interesting if you did a comparison of say the Pro-ject into the Orchid vs the Jay's into the May.  I know you sold the Jay, but I'm just giving an example. I think it would be helpful to those who have a good transport/dac combo but are looking to upgrade only one. 
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook's avatar
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook
1,020 posts
 
For the uninformed Esoteric stopped using DAC Chips 1-2 years ago. Makes no sense comparing an older line (X or XS) of their Spinners/Dacs to their newer players. Ive had both...dont sound similar at all. Use to be voiced more aggressively. Now its more analog-like.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,226 posts
 
@amorstereo,
Ah shucks. I thought it was a cheaper implementation of the one you're using.

On another (musical) note, did you find the coax out to give just as great results? I ask because I'm thinking of getting the Technics SU-G700 and feeding it, for now, with the coax out from an older CDP I have until I can save up for the Pro-Ject Box RS2.

It's all in the planning stages but I need to know what I'm in for.

All the best,
Nonoise
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
271 posts
 
I bought a rs2 cd box the OP spoke of...

It is beyond sublime... I always thought my rega RP8 was best in my system even compared to my sacd player.. Then got the rs2 cd box playing into the same chord qutest... Now here (or should that be hear) is the nub
Playing hybrid SACD my project sounds better playing the CD layer than my arcam sounds playing the SACD layer on the same disc. Not just one example either... All of the hybrid ones I own
And as for tidal master... There is no comparison... This old 80s tech still has its place...
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
271 posts
 
And I just picked up a project  4 way power supply less than 1/3 price off the dreaded Bay... Does sound better but will need to do proper listen before I offer thoughts but straight off... Better seperation, wider SoundStage and bass seems to have sharper bigger punch (a bit the bass I get from vinyl) 
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