- All your analog, digital and wireless audio through a single pre-amp
- 13 inputs and outputs including streaming from aptX HD
- £499 (about $685 / AU$985)
Pro-Ject – maker of some of the best turntables available – has announced a new compact stereo pre-amp that's designed to make today's hi-fi systems simpler. The Pre Box S3 unites your vinyl and digital sources, your TV's audio and your wireless streaming in a single component that acts as a control centre for all your audio needs.
This is a pre-amp so it doesn't contain its own amplification for passive speakers, but you can use it to connect to active speakers or a power amp, as well as to be the source and controller for an existing hi-fi setup. And it looks like a smart option for those of us whose audio diet isn't limited to a single source or to streaming audio.
Design-wise, it's a typically minimalist Pro-Ject affair reminiscent of previous products such as the recently launched Pro-Ject Head Box S3: Pro-Ject likes to keep things clean and uncluttered rather than add unnecessary bells and whistles.
Pro-Ject Pre Box S3: key features and pricing
The Pre Box S3 features a phono stage for moving magnet turntables, a DAC for digital sources delivering up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, an analog preamp with a motor driven volume control, HDMI with eARC for your TV, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD receiving up to 24-bit/48kHz audio, and a headphone amplifier designed for headphones of 16 to 600 ohms, which covers even very demanding models among the best wired headphones.
There are plenty of connections here: two line-level RCA inputs for CD players and other external sound sources, a MM phono input, two optical Toslink S/PDIFs, a coax S/PDIF, USB-C supporting PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz, and that aforementioned HDMI.
Outputs are generous too. There's a variable RCA for your power amp, a 6.3mm headphone out, a fixed-level line out for second zones or external equipment and a dedicated subwoofer out. There's also a 12V trigger for external devices and RS232 for custom or multi-room integration.
The Pro-Ject Pre Box S3 is £499 (about $685 / AU$985) and you can have yours in a choice of black or silver.
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Source: TechRadar
