Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T CD Transport - Silver

The People Who Invented the CD Helped Build It

Philips developed the compact disc in a department near Vienna. The engineers who did that work later formed StreamUnlimited, and Pro-Ject went to them for the drive at the heart of the CD Box RS2 T.

What came back is the CD-Pro 8, a top-loading module with the servo built into its aluminum body. Pro-Ject was the first company to use it, paired with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo board.

There is no converter and no preamp stage in the box. Leaving them out means nothing sits between the laser and the output, which is the whole argument for buying a transport instead of a player.

Carbon Fiber, Springs and Silicone

The chassis is milled from a solid block of aluminum. It will not deform, and it will not drift out of alignment. On top of it sits a suspension of carbon fiber plates and tubes, springs and silicone dampers.

The suspension, cover and platter are all real carbon fiber, and the whole drive hangs on a gravity design built around a central mass point. A magnetic clamp holds the disc flat while it turns.

All of it weighs 3kg in a case 206 by 78 by 200mm, or 210mm with the sockets. An aluminum remote is included, and an LCD shows track and time.

Four Ways Out, Including I2S

Optical and coaxial S/PDIF cover the common cases. AES/EBU over XLR goes a step beyond both. It is the connection most high-end converters would rather be fed on, and it is fitted here as standard.

Above those sits an I2S output with master clock, carried on an HDMI connector. I2S keeps clock and data on separate lines. That sidesteps a limit built into every other digital audio connection.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The Expert Sound and Imaging Association named it Best CD Transport for 2019-2020, calling it "A real ground-up design" with "a customised CD-Pro 8 transport mechanism supported by an alloy/carbon fibre chassis and state-of-the-art disc-reading electronics."

Terry London of Stereo Times wrote that it "uses the latest technology to get the most 'analog' sound out of the CD format," and is "exceptionally well built, a pleasure to use, and will match any DAC you own."

Who Is This CD Transport Best For?

• Your DAC has an I2S input — an I2S and master clock output over HDMI is the cleanest link on the unit, and very few transports at any price offer one.
• You own a converter worth building around — with no DAC or preamp stage inside, the RS2 T hands the disc to your equipment untouched and gets out of the way.
• Your floor bounces — a carbon fiber suspension with springs and silicone dampers, on a milled aluminum chassis, keeps the laser reading rather than guessing.
• You want a top loader — the CD-Pro 8 module and its magnetic clamp make loading a disc feel like the deliberate act it used to be.
• You intend to keep it — converters date quickly and drives do not, so a transport this good outlasts several DACs. Browse our digital-to-analog converters.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Use the I2S output over HDMI if your converter accepts it, since that is the connection the RS2 T was designed around. AES/EBU on XLR is the next best.

Coaxial and optical S/PDIF are both fitted for everything else. Your converter then feeds the amplifier as before, and the external supply plugs into the wall.

Pairs Well With

Building around the CD Box RS2 T? Here are some great companions:

• DAC: Ideally one with an I2S input — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Preamplifier: The next box in the chain — see our Preamplifiers.
• Digital Cables: AES/EBU or coaxial — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Equipment Rack: A steady home for a 3kg top loader — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What outputs does it have?

AES/EBU on a balanced XLR, optical TOSlink, coaxial RCA, and I2S with master clock over an HDMI connector.

Which drive does it use?

The StreamUnlimited CD-Pro 8, a top-loading module with the servo integrated into its aluminum body, run by the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo board.

Do I need a separate DAC?

Yes. The RS2 T is a transport, so your converter does the sound. That is what lets you choose the DAC rather than inherit one.

What is the chassis made of?

Aluminum milled from a solid block, with a suspension of carbon fiber plates and tubes, springs and silicone dampers.

Which finishes are available?

Silver or black, in a precision-machined aluminum case, with a matching aluminum remote included.

What is the warranty?

Two years for the original owner, from an authorized Pro-Ject dealer. Register the product and subscribe to Pro-Ject's newsletter and they extend it to three. It does not transfer.

See It in Action

Our own walkthrough of the RS2 T:

And Steve Guttenberg reviews it alongside the matching Pre Box RS2:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about I2S connections, CD transports, or choosing a converter to match one? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.