Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Transport silver
Awards
EISA Awards: Award-Winning Product
Each year, dozens of European journalists gather to select the best electronic products of the year. Awarded by a diverse and impartial jury, the EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) awards recognize exceptional products for their performance, design, or ergonomics.
Overview
The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Transport is a CD transport developed in partnership with StreamUnlimited. It uses the CD-Pro 8 mechanism paired with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo. This technical choice, rare on the market, is also found in devices offered by other manufacturers in higher price ranges.
An exceptional mechanism in an anti-vibration enclosure
The CD Box RS2 T is based on a mechanical design that refuses any compromise with unwanted vibrations. Its CD-Pro 8 mechanism integrates the servo directly into its aluminium body, with the assembly suspended on a sophisticated anti-vibration system combining carbon plates, carbon-fibre tubes, springs and silicone dampers. This multi-stage suspension precisely controls the vibration spectrum reaching the playback mechanism, creating total mechanical isolation between the external environment and the data-reading process.
The main chassis, machined from a solid aluminium block, provides structural rigidity that never deforms, even under intense heat. The carriage gears slide on precision steel shafts, while the turntable is machined from steel and then chrome-plated, a construction designed to last for decades without mechanical deterioration. The magnetic clamp, made from a new perfectly balanced aluminium alloy, holds the disc with constant pressure, ensuring uniform rotation and flawless reading.
This obsession with vibration control extends to the upper lid, which folds completely down on its rear hinges. Once closed, it creates an environment sealed against airborne vibrations, completing the mechanism’s isolation. The front LCD display shows essential information: time, tracks, CD-Text when available, with two reversible display modes (white on black or black on white) and adjustable brightness.
The Viennese heritage of digital CD
The genesis of this transport deserves closer attention. Vienna historically housed Philips’ CD player development department, and the engineers who contributed to this foundational invention went on to form StreamUnlimited. Michael Jirousek, a key figure in CD development, personally supervised the creation of the CD Box RS2 T. This direct technical lineage with the format’s pioneers explains the sophistication of the CD-Pro 8 mechanism, which represents the culmination of decades of expertise in precision optical reading.
Pro-Ject is the first manufacturer to use this CD-Pro 8 and Blue Tiger CD-84 combination. The Blue Tiger servo orchestrates playback with precision that extracts a data stream perfectly faithful to the recorded signal, without interpolation or approximate correction. This purist approach distinguishes the RS2 T from conventional players that compensate for their mechanical weaknesses with digital artifices that degrade sound quality.
Four digital outputs for all DACs
The deliberate absence of an internal converter follows a precise logic: allowing enthusiasts already equipped with a reference DAC to make full use of their investment. The rear panel offers four types of digital connections, each meeting specific requirements.
The coaxial RCA S/PDIF output and Toslink optical output are the standard connections, compatible with the vast majority of converters. The balanced XLR AES/EBU output represents a higher-quality step, with balanced transmission that minimises electromagnetic interference over long connections.
But it is the I²S output with Master Clock via HDMI that constitutes the ultimate connection. This protocol physically separates data and clock signals, eliminating the jitter inherent in other digital formats. This link, optimised for Pro-Ject’s Pre Box RS2 Digital (16.9344 MHz master frequency), bypasses the structural limitations of S/PDIF and enables absolute bit-perfect transmission. Please note, however: this I²S implementation remains proprietary to Pro-Ject and does not guarantee compatibility with DACs from other brands using this protocol.
The external power supply (20V/3A) keeps power circuits away from sensitive electronics. Power consumption remains modest: 600mA in operation, less than 0.5W in standby—testament to an energy-efficient design.
Documentation
Technical Specifications
Mechanism and construction
- Top-loading mechanism with magnetic disc clamp
- CD-Pro 8 transport with CD-84 servo (StreamUnlimited, Vienna)
- Anti-vibration suspension: carbon, springs, and silicone
- Fully machined from solid aluminum
- Rigid chassis machined from a solid block of aluminum
- Balanced aluminum-alloy disc clamp for stable playback
- Robust, anti-distortion, and anti-vibration design
- Durability: resistant to thermal deformation, precision steel shafts
Formats and compatibility
- Supported formats: Red Book CD-DA only
- No internal digital-to-analog converter
- Requires an external converter (ideal for audiophiles with a high-end DAC)
Digital outputs
- AES/EBU (balanced XLR)
- S/PDIF optical (Toslink)
- S/PDIF coaxial (RCA)
- I²S with master clock via HDMI
- High-end connection
- Perfect bit transmission without jitter
- Perfect with the Pre Box RS2 Digital
Power and consumption
- External power supply: 20 V / 3000 mA DC
- Power consumption: 600 mA DC
- Standby consumption: < 0.5 W
Dimensions and weight
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 206 × 78 × 200 mm (210 mm with connectors)
- Weight: 3.0 kg (without power supply)
Box contents
- CD Box RS2 T
- Aluminum infrared remote control
- 1 CR2032 (or CR2025) battery
- External power supply
- User manual
General information
- LCD display showing: time, tracks, text (CD-Text)
- Available in silver or black
- Ultra-precise CD transport with high-tech servo control
- Exceptional mechanical and vibration isolation (carbon and solid aluminum)
- I²S output with master clock for perfect integration with high-end DACs
- European manufacturing (designed with StreamUnlimited, former Philips CD developers)
- Elegant and robust design
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the CD Box RS2 T play SACDs or burned CDs?
No, this transport is designed exclusively for playing standard Red Book Audio CDs (CD-DA). It does not support SACDs, DVD-Audio formats, or CD-R/RWs containing MP3 files or other compressed formats. This specialization ensures total optimization for conventional CD playback.
What is the difference between the I²S/HDMI output and the other digital outputs?
The I²S output physically separates the data and clock signals, theoretically eliminating the jitter that affects S/PDIF transmissions. However, this implementation remains proprietary to Pro-Ject and is only guaranteed to be compatible with their own RS2 DACs. For other converters, opt for AES/EBU, which already offers balanced transmission of superior quality to standard S/PDIF.
Is the supplied external power supply sufficient, or is it necessary to invest in a linear power supply?
The supplied switch-mode power supply already delivers remarkable performance, as evidenced by the awards received with this original configuration. Nevertheless, a high-quality external linear power supply (Pro-Ject Power Box RS Uni or compatible third-party 20V/3A alternatives) can provide noticeable improvements in terms of background noise and spatial dimensionality.
How does the CD-Pro 8 mechanism compare to other mechanisms on the market?
StreamUnlimited’s CD-Pro 8 represents the current state of the art in CD mechanisms. Only Gryphon (Ethos at €32,500) and certain German models around €8,000 use this technology. More common mechanisms (often adapted from computer hardware) rely more heavily on error correction and interpolation, potentially degrading the original signal.
Does top-loading offer any real advantages over front-loading?
Top loading eliminates the motorized drawer, a source of vibration and mechanical complexity. The magnetic clamp ensures optimal coupling between the disc and the mechanism, reducing rotation-induced vibrations. This configuration also provides direct access for changing discs, without an intermediate mechanism that could develop play over time.
Can the CD Box RS2 T be used with any DAC on the market?
Yes, via the S/PDIF outputs (coaxial or optical) and AES/EBU, the transport is compatible with all DACs equipped with these standard inputs. The I²S output via HDMI remains specific to the Pro-Ject ecosystem. Simply check that your DAC accepts the 16-bit/44.1 kHz signal of the CD Red Book format.
- Eco-contribution of €0.75 included in the sale price.
- GTIN / EAN: 9120082382571
