Pro-Ject MaiA DS3 silver

Pro-Ject MaiA DS3: integrated amplifier, DAC and phono stage in a compact chassis

Four devices in a 20 cm-wide box: that’s the promise of the MaiA DS3, which combines a preamp, power stage, phono preamp and digital-to-analog converter behind a single aluminum front panel. This new version follows the MaiA DS2 with increased power output (2 x 140 W into 4 ohms), a new Texas Instruments PCM1795 DAC and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD compatibility. Design and assembly remain European and handmade.

Four devices in a solid aluminum chassis

Preamp, power stage, MM/MI/MC-compatible phono preamp and digital-to-analog converter: the MaiA DS3 combines these four functions in a machined aluminum enclosure measuring 206 x 71 x 240 mm (252 mm with connectors), for 1.85 kg without its external power supply. The front panel remains minimalist, dominated by a large motorized volume knob. No screen, no showmanship: the solid aluminum also acts as shielding against electromagnetic interference.

Two finishes are available, silver or black. Pro-Ject also offers the option of dressing the sides with magnet-mounted wooden panels, sold separately, which noticeably change the look of the chassis. The supplied remote control handles input selection and volume, which remains analog thanks to the motorized potentiometer on the front panel.

2 x 140 W class D in a 20 cm chassis

Pro-Ject claims 2 x 80 W into 8 ohms and 2 x 140 W into 4 ohms at 1% distortion. The design is dual mono, with two independent channels to limit crosstalk between channels. The amplification operates in class D, which partly explains the compact chassis and high efficiency.

Below 10 W and 8 ohms, total harmonic distortion stays under 0.01%. Signal-to-noise ratio reaches 97 dB (105 dB A-weighted) at 1 kHz and frequency response varies by less than ± 0.3 dB up to 20 kHz. In practice, these power reserves are enough to drive bookshelf speakers without difficulty, and several not-too-power-hungry floorstanding models also remain within the DS3’s capabilities.

A PCM1795 DAC with DSD256 support

The DAC is based on the Texas Instruments PCM1795 chip, a 32-bit / 192 kHz Delta-Sigma converter. On the PCM side, files are supported up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. On the DSD side, the DS3 reads DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 streams, covering virtually the entire high-resolution audiophile catalog.

The USB input relies on an asynchronous XMOS interface in USB Audio Class 2, which separates the DAC clock from that of the source computer to limit jitter. On Mac and Linux, the DS3 is recognized directly as an audio device. Under Windows, installation of the driver supplied by Pro-Ject is required to enjoy high-resolution PCM and DSD.

Nine inputs for all sources, wired or wireless

The DS3 packs nine inputs on its rear panel. On the analog side, there is one phono RCA input (MM, MI and MC compatible) and three line-level RCA inputs with 860 mV sensitivity for connecting a CD player, a tuner or an external preamp. On the digital side, two optical S/PDIF inputs, one coaxial S/PDIF input and one USB input sit alongside a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver compatible with aptX and aptX HD, A2DP profile.

This combination covers most home setups, from turntable to television to smartphone. Wireless streaming remains limited to Bluetooth, with no built-in network player or Wi-Fi: an external streamer will therefore be required for Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect or file playback from a NAS.

A phono section compatible with MM, MI and MC

The phono stage accepts moving magnet (MM), moving iron (MI) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. In MM, load impedance is 47 kΩ with 40 dB gain. In MC, impedance drops to 100 Ω and gain rises to 60 dB. The lack of finer impedance and capacitance adjustments may limit optimization with some very low-output MC cartridges, but most high-output MCs and all MM/MI cartridges work with the DS3 without difficulty.

Outputs for subwoofer, power amplifier and headphones

The gold-plated speaker terminals accept 4 mm banana plugs, spades or bare wire. A variable RCA output can be used for a subwoofer or an additional power amp; this is a standard preamp output with no built-in active filtering, so the subwoofer must handle its own low-pass filter. A second RCA output, fixed this time, is not affected by the volume setting and is suitable for a recorder or a second listening zone.

The headphone output delivers 2 x 430 mW into 32 Ω at 1% distortion. Enough to comfortably drive common dynamic headphones; very current-hungry planar magnetic models may reach the limits of the stage. Finally, 12 V trigger input and output allow automatic power-on of another system component.

Designed and hand-assembled in Europe

The DS3 is designed and hand-assembled in Europe, in keeping with Pro-Ject’s Box Design line. The power supply is external, in the form of a 36 V / 5.5 A DC adapter: this choice keeps the transformer away from the conversion and amplification stages, but requires extra space behind the cabinet. Standby power consumption remains below 0.5 W.

With its 1,850 g on the scale and 206 x 240 mm footprint, the MaiA DS3 fits on a desk, sideboard or bookshelf, next to a turntable or television.

Technical specifications

Amplification

• Output power: 2 x 80 W into 8 ohms / 2 x 140 W into 4 ohms (1% THD)
• Dual mono design
• Frequency response (20 Hz - 20 kHz): < +/- 0.3 dB at 20 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 97 dB (105 dB A-weighted) at 1 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: < 0.01% at 10 W into 8 ohms

Digital-to-analog converter

• 32-bit / 192 kHz PCM 1795DB Delta-Sigma DAC
• PCM sampling frequencies: up to 192 kHz / 24 bits
• DSD support: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256

Analog inputs

• 1 RCA Phono pair (compatible with MM, MI, and MC cartridges)
  • MM sensitivity: 47 kohms
  • MC sensitivity: 100 ohms
  • MM gain: 40 dB
  • MC gain: 60 dB
• 3 line-level RCA pairs (CD player, tuner, etc.)
  • Sensitivity: 860 mV

Digital inputs

• 2 optical S / PDIF inputs
• 1 coaxial S / PDIF input
• 1 USB input
  • Asynchronous XMOS USB Audio Class 2 24-bit / 192 kHz
  • Requires USB 2.0 or higher
• 1 Bluetooth 5.0 input
  • aptX, aptX HD codecs
  • A2DP profile

Outputs

• Gold-plated speaker outputs, compatible with 4 mm banana plugs, spades, or bare wires
• Variable RCA output for subwoofer or additional power amplifier
• Fixed RCA output unaffected by volume (for audio recorder, etc.)
• Headphone output: 2 x 430 mW into 32 ohms (1% THD)
• Trigger input and output: 12 V on / off detector

Power supply and consumption

• External power supply: 36 V / 5.5 A DC
• Standby power consumption: < 0.5 W

Design and manufacturing

• Machined solid aluminum chassis protecting against external interference
• Magnetic side panels available separately
• Available finishes: silver or black
• Designed and handmade in Europe

Included accessories

• Remote control (2 AAA 1.5 V batteries) enabling analog volume control via motorized potentiometer and input selection

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions: 206 x 71 x 240 mm (252 mm with connectors)
• Weight: 1850 g without power supply unit