Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 phono stage (MM+MC)

Highlights

• 5-pin mini XLR balanced input.
• Balanced XLR outputs.
• Fully symmetric and discrete amplification stage.
• User-friendly front panel setting adjustments.
• Compatible with MM and MC.
• Dual mono design.
• Semi-passive RIAA equalization.
• Excellent low noise/low distortion.
• Aluminum casing protects against interference.
• Made in Europe.

Product Text

Phono Box S3 B introduces a brand new cabinet design. Thanks to the larger cabinet, Pro-Ject has included new features in their S3 B phono stage preamplifier. The new steel and aluminum cabinet with solid cast aluminum buttons ensures excellent rigidity and protection against interference. The "B" in the name stands for balanced, and the symmetrical design is the major highlight. Connect your turntable with a 5-pin mini XLR cable and benefit from the balanced signal path. A true balanced amplification stage can now extract the ultimate music information from the signals and eliminate all noise potentially added during transmission. Since there are two separate signal paths, it also required two individual amplifier sections, which is unusual in this price range and offers the purest and clearest amplification of your phono signal.

The new Phono Box S3 B uses a fully discrete configuration in its amplification stage. This means that the amplifier section is built of individual components without integrated circuits, which results in a more expensive design process but yields the best sound quality. After processing the balanced signals independently, they are recombined and processed by the semi-passive RIAA equalization stage. By keeping the amplification stage fully symmetrical, signal-to-noise ratios are optimized, and interference is minimized, giving the EQ section the best source to work its magic on. For the balanced XLR outputs, a balancing stage generates a balanced signal, so you again benefit from balanced signal transmissions. RCA outputs are naturally single-ended and receive the signals directly from the RIAA EQ.

Specifications

• Input Impedance: 10, 50, 100, 1k, 47k ohm.
• Input Capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400 pF.
• Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 60, 65 dB.
• SNR MM (40dB): 103dBV, 110dBV - 'A' weighted.
• SNR MC (60dB): 85dBV, 90dBV - 'A' weighted.
• THD at 1 kHz: <0.001% MM, < 0.005% MC.
• THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0.008% MM, < 0.01% MC.
• RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: <0.3dB / 20Hz - 20kHz.
• Subsonic filter: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave.
• Inputs: 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair RCA phono sockets.
• Line-level outputs: 1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR.
• Power supply DC: 18V/500mA.
• Power consumption: 18V/170mA DC, <0.5 W in standby.
• Dimensions: 206 x 55 x 153 (164 with connectors) mm.
• Weight: 930g without power supply.