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
It gets even better with an LTA LPS+ and a DIY Vh Audio V Quad Cu 21 Umbilical...

Wig 🎶
I have very happily been using the P.S. Audio PWT the past 8 or 9 years and it is wonderful paired with my Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC. Listening last night to jazz guitarist Royce Campbell CD   "Solo Wes" a tribute to the great Wes Montgomery.

It felt as though I was sitting in the recording studio, so real and tactile. Not an uncommon outcome with the PWT. Intriguing to contemplate the Pro-Ject CD Box transport taking this type of listening experience yet a further step upward. The comments on this thread are quite encouraging.
Charles
For those looking for a LPS to use besides what's been offered here, here's a review of several models that took the reviewer about 4 months to conduct:https://audiobacon.net/2021/08/06/the-worlds-best-audiophile-linear-power-supplies/

All the best,
Nonoise
@ in_shore

Build that Vh Audio umbilical cord and you'll be rewarded with better SQ across the board for $80 and 30 minutes of your time 😁

Wig