Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Transport black

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 much higher price ranges.

An exceptional mechanism in an anti-vibration enclosure

The CD Box RS2 T is based on a mechanical design that makes no compromises with parasitic vibrations. Its CD-Pro 8 mechanism integrates the servo directly into its aluminum body, with the entire assembly suspended on a sophisticated anti-vibration system combining carbon plates, carbon fiber tubes, springs, and silicone dampers. This multi-stage suspension precisely controls the vibrational spectrum reaching the reading mechanism, creating total mechanical isolation between the external environment and the data reading process.

The main chassis, machined from a solid block of aluminum, ensures structural rigidity that never deforms, even under high heat. The carriage’s gear wheels glide on precision steel shafts, while the turntable is machined from steel and then chrome-plated—a construction designed to endure for decades without mechanical degradation. The magnetic clamp, made from a new perfectly balanced aluminum alloy, holds the disc with constant pressure to ensure uniform rotation and flawless reading.

This obsession with vibration control extends to the top lid, which folds down completely on its rear hinges. Once closed, it creates an environment sealed against airborne vibrations, completing the mechanism’s isolation. The front LCD displays essential information—time, tracks, CD-Text when available—with two reversible display modes (white on black or black on white) and adjustable brightness.

Vienna’s digital CD heritage

The genesis of this transport is worth highlighting. Vienna historically hosted the Philips CD player development department, and the engineers who contributed to that foundational invention went on to form StreamUnlimited. Michael Jirousek, a leading figure in CD development, personally oversaw 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 deploy 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, with no interpolation or approximate correction. This purist approach sets the RS2 T apart from conventional players that compensate for mechanical weaknesses with digital artifices that degrade sound quality.

Four digital outputs for every DAC

The deliberate absence of an internal converter follows a clear logic: to let enthusiasts already equipped with a reference DAC fully leverage their investment. The rear panel offers four types of digital connections, each addressing specific requirements.

The coaxial S/PDIF on RCA and the Toslink optical output are the standard connections, compatible with the vast majority of converters. The balanced AES/EBU output on XLR represents a higher-quality step, with balanced transmission that minimizes electromagnetic interference over long runs.

But it’s 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, optimized for Pro-Ject’s Pre Box RS2 Digital (master frequency of 16.9344 MHz), bypasses the structural limitations of S/PDIF and enables absolutely bit-perfect transmission. Note, however: this I²S implementation remains Pro-Ject proprietary 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—600 mA in operation, less than 0.5 W in standby—attesting to an energy-efficient design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the CD Box RS2 T play SACDs or burned CDs? No, this transport is designed exclusively for standard Red Book Audio CDs (CD-DA). It does not support SACD, DVD-Audio formats, or CD-R/RW with MP3 or other compressed files. This specialization ensures total optimization for conventional CD playback.

What’s the difference between the I²S/HDMI output and other digital outputs? The I²S output physically separates data and clock signals, theoretically eliminating jitter (temporal instability) that affects S/PDIF transmissions. However, this implementation remains Pro-Ject proprietary and is only guaranteed to be compatible with their own RS2 DACs. For other converters, prioritize AES/EBU, which already offers superior balanced transmission compared to standard S/PDIF.

Is the included external power supply sufficient, or should I invest in a linear power supply? The supplied switching power supply already delivers remarkable performance, as evidenced by awards earned with this stock configuration. A quality external linear power supply (Pro-Ject Power Box RS Uni or third-party alternatives compatible with 20V/3A) can nonetheless bring noticeable improvements in background noise and spatial dimensionality.

How does the CD-Pro 8 mechanism compare to others 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 drives) rely more heavily on error correction and interpolation, potentially degrading the original signal.

Does top-loading have real advantages over front-loading? Top-loading eliminates the motorized tray, a source of vibrations and mechanical complexity. The magnetic clamp ensures optimal coupling between the disc and the mechanism, reducing vibrations induced by rotation. This configuration also provides direct access for disc changes, without an intermediate mechanism likely to develop play over time.

Can the CD Box RS2 T be used with any DAC on the market? Yes, via the S/PDIF (coaxial or optical) and AES/EBU outputs, the transport is compatible with all DACs equipped with these standard inputs. The I²S output over HDMI remains specific to the Pro-Ject ecosystem. Just ensure your DAC accepts the 16-bit/44.1 kHz signal of the Red Book CD format.

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 CNC-machined from solid aluminum
• Rigid chassis milled from a solid aluminum block
• 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 built-in digital-to-analog converter
• Requires an external converter (ideal for audiophiles with a high-end DAC)

Digital Outputs

• Balanced AES/EBU (XLR)
• S/PDIF optical (Toslink)
• S/PDIF coaxial (RCA)
• I²S with master clock via HDMI
  • High-end connection
  • Bit-perfect, jitter-free transmission
  • Perfect match with the Pre Box RS2 Digital

Power and Consumption

• External power supply: 20 V / 3000 mA DC
• 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