{"product_id":"pro-ject-pre-box-rs2-digital-balanced-preamplifier-with-dac","title":"Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital - Balanced Preamplifier with DAC","description":"\u003cbody\u003e\n\n\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003ctitle\u003ePro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital — Product Description\u003c\/title\u003e\n\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFour Tubes and a Reference DAC, One Small Box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003ePro-Ject's RS2 line packs reference engineering into compact chassis, and the Pre Box RS2 Digital is its centerpiece: a balanced preamplifier, dual-mono DAC, and headphone amplifier barely eight inches wide. Its party trick is the output stage: press a button and switch between a solid-state path and a tube path running four current-production 6922EH valves. Transistors for Tuesday, tubes for Sunday, one box for both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eConversion runs through two ESS ES9038Q2M chips in dual-mono configuration, playing PCM up to 32-bit\/768kHz and DSD512 over USB, with full hardware MQA unfolding. Digital inputs go far beyond USB: two optical, one coaxial, a balanced AES\/EBU input, Bluetooth with aptX, and an I²S connection built for Pro-Ject's matching CD Box RS2 T transport. Balanced XLR and RCA analog inputs welcome your existing sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOutputs mirror the quality: balanced XLR and RCA pre-outs feed your power amplifier or powered speakers, and a 6.35mm headphone jack delivers 245mW into 32 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSmall Chassis, Serious Intentions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe RS2 series is Pro-Ject's proof that size and seriousness are separate questions. The Pre Box RS2 Digital weighs under four pounds and shares shelf space gracefully, yet it's fully balanced, dual-mono, and controlled by a premium aluminum remote. The front display keeps volume and source visible, and silver or black aluminum finishes match the rest of the RS2 family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe 6922EH tubes are current-production Electro-Harmonix valves, plentiful and affordable, so the tube path is a long-term companion rather than a worry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eGordon Brockhouse of \u003cem\u003eSoundStage! Simplifi\u003c\/em\u003e, in a February 15, 2020 review, wrote plainly: \"I loved this component,\" praising how it delivered \"gobs of power but never sounded hard or glary\" through headphones. His one gripe was some audible noise from the volume knob while adjusting it on his early sample.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Preamp\/DAC Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou can't choose between tubes and transistors\u003c\/strong\u003e — the switchable output stage means you don't have to.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want a reference DAC in tight spaces\u003c\/strong\u003e — dual-mono ES9038Q2M conversion in an eight-inch chassis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou own the CD Box RS2 T, or want it\u003c\/strong\u003e — the I²S input is purpose-built for the pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou listen on headphones\u003c\/strong\u003e — a capable amp drives most headphones from the front panel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIf you need a phono input,\u003c\/strong\u003e the Pre Box RS2 Digital is line and digital only — Parasound's Halo P6 builds one in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eConnect the balanced XLR or RCA outputs to your power amplifier or powered speakers. Your computer joins by USB, disc transports by I²S, coaxial, or optical, and broadcast-grade sources by AES\/EBU. Analog components use the XLR or RCA inputs, and your phone pairs over Bluetooth. Then pick your flavor, tube or solid-state, from the listening chair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSmall footprint, full-size command.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBuilding around the Pre Box RS2 Digital? Here are some great companions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCD Transport:\u003c\/strong\u003e The I²S input awaits Pro-Ject's CD Box RS2 T — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/digital-audio\/cd-players-and-transports\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eCD Players \u0026amp; Transports\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphones:\u003c\/strong\u003e The front-panel amp deserves a good pair — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/headphones\/headphones\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eHeadphones\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCables:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quality XLR interconnects feed your power amp — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/cables\/interconnect-cables\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eInterconnect Cables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAudio Rack:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy home for a compact stack — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/furniture\/audio-racks\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eAudio Racks\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat does the tube\/solid-state switch do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eIt selects between two complete output stages: a solid-state path and a tube path with four 6922EH valves, so you can match the sound to the music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat DAC is inside?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTwo ESS ES9038Q2M chips in dual-mono configuration, playing PCM to 32-bit\/768kHz and DSD512, with full hardware MQA unfolding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat is the I²S input for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eIt's a direct digital connection designed for Pro-Ject's CD Box RS2 T transport, keeping the signal in its purest form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes it have analog inputs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes, one balanced XLR pair and one RCA pair, so it works as a complete system preamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes it have Bluetooth?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes, Bluetooth with SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat finishes are available?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSilver or black aluminum, matching the rest of Pro-Ject's RS2 series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSee It in Action\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSteve Guttenberg reviews the Pre Box RS2 Digital with its CD Box RS2 T partner:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mcMw2TiPOP8\" title=\"Review: Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport and Pre Box RS2 DAC\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003ehxos plus unboxes the Pre Box RS2 Digital up close:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eeSmFV44k1c\" title=\"Pro-Ject Pre-Box RS2 Digital DAC Deep Unboxing\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about preamplifiers, DACs, or building a compact system? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/body\u003e","brand":"Rogue Audio","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ New","offer_id":45982871126189,"sku":"NEW-PRPRBRS2D-BLK","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45982086889645,"sku":"NEW-PRPRBRS2D-SIL","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/pro-ject-pre-box-rs2-digital-silver-straight-on.jpg?v=1785678119","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/pro-ject-pre-box-rs2-digital-balanced-preamplifier-with-dac","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}