Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+ Compact Digital-to-Analog Converter - Silver

A Full ESS Sabre Converter, the Size of a Paperback

The DAC Box S2+ puts an ESS9038Q2M converter into a case 103mm wide that weighs 355 grams. That is the same 32-bit Sabre family used in machines several times its size, in a box that sits beside a laptop without taking a shelf.

Over USB it accepts PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD256, played over PCM. The coaxial and optical inputs each take 24-bit/192kHz, which covers a disc player, a television or a streamer without ceremony.

Output is a single RCA pair, and a 5V supply is in the box. It comes in silver or black. Nothing about the specification apologizes for the size of the chassis.

Six Filters on the Front Panel

Most converters at any price hide their filter settings in a menu, or do not offer them at all. The S2+ puts five selectable filters on the front, alongside Pro-Ject's own optimum transient filter, so you can change the character while the music plays.

That matters more on a small desk than it does in a large room. Near-field listening exposes the top end, and being able to move between a sharper and a gentler filter is a practical tool rather than a specification.

The rest is deliberately plain. One RCA output pair, three digital inputs, a 5V DC supply included in the box, and a chassis measuring 103 by 37 by 122mm. There is nothing here to configure before it works.

Who Is This DAC Best For?

• You are upgrading from a computer's headphone socket — an ESS9038Q2M and a proper USB input replace the noisiest part of a desktop system, and it costs less than most interconnects.
• Your desk has no room — 103 by 37 by 122mm and 355 grams tucks behind a monitor or beside a laptop, so a real converter stops competing for space.
• You like to adjust what you hear — five filters plus Pro-Ject's optimum transient setting are on the front panel, so a harsh recording can be softened without touching an equaliser.
• You have hi-res files and a television — USB handles PCM to 768kHz and DSD256, while coaxial and optical take 24-bit/192kHz, so the same little box serves both jobs.
• You want to run it straight into a power amp — the S2+ has a fixed RCA output and no volume control, so it needs an amplifier with one. Pair it with one of our integrated amplifiers and the two make a complete system.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the RCA output to a line input on your amplifier. A computer connects over USB and needs no separate power, since the supplied 5V adaptor handles that. A television goes in on optical, a disc player on coaxial.

Once it is playing, work through the filters on the front until one suits your speakers and your room. That is the whole setup.

Pairs Well With

Building around the DAC Box S2+? Here are some great companions:

• Integrated Amplifier: The volume control lives here — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Bookshelf Speakers: The natural end of a compact system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Music Streamer: Feed the coaxial or optical input — see our Music Streamers.
• Interconnects: A short, well-made RCA pair — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What converter is inside?

A single ESS9038Q2M 32-bit Sabre converter, from the same family used in far larger and more expensive machines.

Which inputs does it have?

Three: USB Type-B, coaxial RCA and optical TOSLink. USB reaches 32-bit/768kHz; coaxial and optical each accept 24-bit/192kHz.

Does it play DSD?

Yes, over USB: DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256, delivered as DSD over PCM.

How many filters are there?

Five selectable from the front panel, plus Pro-Ject's proprietary optimum transient digital filter.

Does it need a separate power supply?

A 5V, 1A DC supply is included in the box, so nothing else needs buying to get it running.

What size is it, and what finishes are there?

103 by 37 by 122mm including the knob and connectors, at 355 grams without the supply, in silver or black.

See It in Action

Pro-Ject walks through the DAC Box S2+:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about digital converters, desktop systems, or digital filters? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.