Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 vs Phono Box DS2 (Solid State) - Which did I buy?
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 vs Phono Box DS2. Let's look at the difference between a solid state and a tube phono preamp. At the end of the video, I'll explain which one I purchased and why.
Product Links (AAL=Amazon Affiliate Link):
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TubeBox DS2:
Amazon (AAL):
geni.us/tube-boxds2
Turntable Lab Affiliate:
www.turntablelab.com/products...
Phono Box DS2:
Amazon (AAF):
geni.us/phono-box-ds2
(Turntable Lab Affiliate):
www.turntablelab.com/products...
The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 promises audiophile phono stage credentials with added tube "warmth" and versatility to suit a wide range of cartridges. Does it deliver the musicality and character vacuum tube are known for?
In this video, I compare the performance of a built-in phono preamp and their Phono Box DS2 to the Tube Box DS2 as a component upgrade.
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Might be the combination of the 2MBLue and phono. The 2MBlue is a bit 'clean' (I own one) but I also own a Eastern Electric Minimax phono, so like I tube with a 2MBlue and the tubes 'help' it out a bit. A 2MBronze or most Nagaoka cartridges might swing back to the solid state phono
Thank you so much for your video! I've looking at the same phono preamp and this is certainly reassuring 😅
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching. Enjoy the new preamp!
I have the Phono Box DS2, buyed it used for 160Euro and it is great with my Philips turntable and headphone amp/headphones
Tube for sure, great vlog !!
Thanks Steve! Happy spinning 🎶🎧
What a choice, i have both tube and solid state amps. I admit they are different no question about it.
I use depending on how i feel at the time .
Bought a tube box DS2. Looking forward to setting it up soon.
Enjoy! Hope you like it 🎶👍🎧
Had the original DS for a while with some Gold Lion gold pin 12ax7s. Great sounding amp. Highly recommend popping a pair of those Gold Lions in, it'll bring the sound to a new level. They would probably mesh well with your 2m Blue.
Thanks for the upgrade recommendation! Much appreciated 🎶🎧
I also run gold lion 12ax7’s in my tube box s2. Sounds great to my ears
The Tube Box DS2 is AMAZING I have had mine for 5 years and It is my go to when playing Vintage records like Cream- Wheels of Fire, that come off sounding thin on my SL-Q2, 2M black, DJ pre II setup, Plug it into the Tube box and it has this MEATY PUNCH added to the drums and guitar especially Bass Guitars. The funny part is I bought it to go with my Ortofon 2M black but ended up being a better match for my vintage Carts instead like my ADC Integra and AT-92E and Empire 2000E so much so that I have it EXCLUSIVELY reserved for MY Pioneer PL518 that is my mono and vintage setup and My Technics SL-1200 MKII and SL- Q2 stay on their solid state DJ pre II
Yep: loving mine so far! Great to hear from someone else with the same positive experience 🎶🎧
How much capacitance do you have set for 2m black? Im not sure if i have set it right on s2
I don't want to throw water on your purchase, however let it be known that 12AX7 vacuum tube were never designed to be operated at low voltages (below 50 V, B+). If you pull up the data sheets, they are not characterized to operate at below 50V, maybe that's why people keep "rolling" them to find ones that are better than others. Also with aging what sounded good in 2023, may not sound good in 2025. I would like to see someone offer pre-amps that actually are operate as the tubes were meant to be operated, say 48 V B+
If you're getting a £600 Tube-Box, you might want to upgrade your cartridge, probably to an OM or Quintet Black...
Have you tried to roll the tubes in the ds2? If so, can you please post a how-to video? I hear it’s a little tricky!
I just purchased the ds2. I connected it via aux input to my emotiva ta1 and it sounds horrible. My turntable is a fluance rt85 with ortofon blue. Any suggestions?
Did you turn off build-in pre-amp in your gramo?
try the Pro- Ject 500 ultra
Hi Marc, just a quick question i have a carbon evo with upgraded acrylic platter and aluminium sub platter with the ortofon 2m blue ive also upgraded the power supy in your opinion which phono preamp would you say was the best out of the project phono box ds2 or the Ifi Zen Phono preamp ?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.
Difficult to give a definitive "better" in a lot of cases, but there are pros and cons to each. Both are actually quite neutral sounding pre-amps. The Phono Box DS2 I think is at a bargain price at the moment as I think a DS3 edition is possibly in the works.
The Pro-Ject is definitely a better option if you want easy control of cartridge loading settings, as you'll have less control with the Zen.
I was very impressed with how quiet the Zen is and it may be a touch quieter in terms of noise floor than the Pro-Ject.
The buttons on the Zen can feel a little cheap and less responsive than the Pro-Ject ones though, so there are pros and cons. The Zen is also more compact, of course, if that is a selling point for you.
I hope that helps and I haven't just confused you further - haha. Both will be great with your setup.
@@soundmatters Thank you Mark that has really helped me I appreciate your help I've seen the project tube for £329 and the ifi zen for £174 at the moment I have a basic project phono box e and want to upgrade to match the upgrades I have on the turntable.
But thanks once again for your advice I will now have a think and buy one
Cheers Mark all the best.
@@Danny.1.007 no worries at all. Anything else, let me know
The "Tube" DS2 is just a DS2 with valve buffers! They are both solid state. The "tube version" is the same circuit with tubes at the outpuit to buffer and hence colour the sound. It is a pleasant 2nd order distortion being added. It is NOT a proper tube phone stage. A true tube phono stage is alot more expensive to implement properly and sounds considerably more open and alive. for the money the DS2 Tube Box still does a great job.
Full phonostage stages are xpensive if paid in UK. My 2 box valve fono 202GBP from Ali Express... Sounds xcellent... Middle class Western audiofools deserve 2 get ripped off lol
They are more expensive because they require alot more engineering by known experienced folk and using high quality components throughout to be better than SS ones. Your cheapo no name stage made by god only knows who using god only knows what is likely total garbage in reality and obviously isnt a true valve phono stage (power supp, inputs, outputs). The Project Tube Box S2 is 350 quid (aka cheap) and sounds good and is built in EU, designed by a known entity and is discrete dual mono components.
The Tube Ds2 would have been nice with an USB output for transferring to a digital signal for backing up rare an obsolete analogue records
@matthewtaylor7355
Have you got a link please.
Now there is the DS3-B!
Balanced in and out! Indeed. Project seem to be on a roll with the balanced products. Makes me wish I had the new X1B!
I have the original phono box DS on my second turntable and I think it is a great performer but not as good as my Rega Fono mk5 on my first turntable which to use your words is more transparent. I have obviously tried both on each turntable and the Rega is the winner every time in blind tests with the help of my wife and sons. The Rega has a better sound stage and is exciting, instruments have a more realistic sound. Both are fed by MM cartridges, a Linn Adikt on table one and a Linn K9 on table two but I have also used a Sumiko Pearl MM on both decks for the comparison.
It seems like the tube version has a lot of great features but at that price it has a lot of excellent competition that I personally would be looking at first.
I have the ds3-b and X8 TT....satisfied.
Do the tubes light up when in use ?
There is a very faint glow, but the tubes are also quite set in, so if it’s a dramatic effect you’re looking for, this probably isn’t it. Thanks for your comment by the way 🎶🎧
What turntable is that in the video?
Pro-Ject X1 🎶🎧
Hello, I left you a message on your video about records copy to cd for personal use. I also sent email asking questions about process if I already have stereo amp, with Reel to Reel hooked into it. You say to not use the LINE IN port on my computer but use a device out of amp to usb in on PC. In my situation, with my equipment, is that still the best option. Before I spend 230 dollars Plus on the cables and the Device, I would like to know please.
Hi there, sorry for the delay in replying. So you want to record the reel-to-reel?
In any case, I would avoid using the "line in" on your computer and always opt for a USB audio interface. The analog to digital converters will be superior.
The shorter you can keep the signal chain the better. For example, when recording a turntable, if you can go directly from the turntable pre-amp to a USB audio interface rather than going through a receiver or amp, it will help keep the potential for noise to an absolute minimum.
Does that answer your question at all?
@@soundmatters To degree, but "what device" do I need between the stereo amplifier and the laptop DAW I'm setting up. There are lots of simple things on amazon, but I have hundreds of albums converting to R/R and so I will have those many items to convert. It needs to be excellent quality but not something too expensive. Thank you in advance, a video actually showing everyone how to hook up the device and demo it would be handy too. Thank you.
I use this SSL audio interface and it works great (affiliate link):
amzn.to/4422dzO
The A/D converters are 24bit up to 192KHz, so more than sufficient.
You can get RCS to 1/4 jack cables to go from your amplifier's line-level output to the SSL inputs.
It's a great option for the money.
If you want the very best in converters with a compact USB interface, I can also recommend the Apogee Duet. Amazing analog to digital converters, but it's much more expensive.
Another affiliate link, this time for the Duet: amzn.to/3NnwHFr
Hope this helps
@@soundmatters Thank you, I also got email from SSL company, and they also outlined what I need to do. So going to wait to see if Prime day gives better price but pulling the switch by that day. Should be up and running a week or so later. Thanks again. Monty
@@user-jy6el3ts8k - great! what country are you based in? If you feel like buying through my affiliate link, that would really help the channel out.
Cheers, Marc
Almost 700 euro today ............not worth the price !
ECC83 ...........and about rare : expensive nos tubes , better reserve them for the very best tube amplifiers .
Build yourself a real tube RIAA.......
Ecosystem....lol