Austria-based Pro-Ject is likely known for their high performance, budget turntables in some circles, however the brand also produces a slew of digital products for the growing audiophile as well. According to the latest news cycle, this year was the first year in a long while that CD’s actually showcased a little growth in overall global sales – so what better time to release two new CD players?
Coming in at $899 and $549, the CD Box DS3 and CD Box S3 feature all the latest options from the Pro-Ject workbench, including a Texas Instruments PCM1796 DAC on the new DS3. More details in the press release below. If you would like to hear more from the President of Pro-Ject Heinz Lichtenegger, you can check out his one-on-one interview The Occasional Podcast here.
PRESS RELEASE
Two new stunning compact CD-players!
Our CD Box DS3, the first component of our completely new DS3 line, can be integrated with existing DS2 products because the dimensions are the same.
The new CDBox DS3 maintains the best features of its predecessors and adds the acclaimed Texas Instruments PCM1796 DAC. The buttons on the face allow easy control – the supplied remote control offers convenience. The high contrast dot-matrix display shows you all the relevant information you need from your favourite CDs. The CD Box DS3 MSRP is $899 and will be available at authorized Pro-Ject dealers April 2022.
CD Box S3
Ultra compact CD Player
The CD Box S3 is our first
product of the new S3
line. The complete aluminium
casework has undergone a significant change & the CD Box S3 introduces our completely new S3 size.
The reworked circuit design brandishes a 1.54“ dis- play with a colour inversion feature that shows your favourite CD‘s relevant information. Easily control the CD player with the buttons on the front or the sup- plied remote control.
The CD Box S3 MSRP is $549 and will be available at authorized Pro-Ject dealers April 2022.
CD Box DS3
True Red Book CD Player
• The Red Book standard specifies the physical parameters and properties of Digital Audio Compact Discs(CDDA). Compared to DVD or Bluray Disc players, purist CD players are optimized explicitly for 1:1 playback of the Red Book CDDA standard and offer higher performance.
Texas Instruments PCM1796 DAC
•New DACs often aim for higher bit resolution. Yet many high-end designs and super expensive CD players utilize the famous PCM1796 for its analog, sweet and easy-to-listen sound character. It’s the perfect choice for a CD player aiming to sound as close as possible to an analog record. The CD Box DS3 offers a line-level RCA output for connecting to pre-or integrated amplifiers and two digital outputs to connect to your favorite DAC.
CD-80 Blue Tiger Servo
• A CD drive can only be as good as the servo which controls it. It‘s the brain that controls the CD play- er‘s muscles. Our Blue Tiger CD-80 servo developed by Stream Unlimited is the most advanced dedicated CD servo manufacturer on the market.
4-Point Intelligent Suspension
• The intelligent suspension provides a perfect resonance derivative. Three elastic points isolate the drive from external vibration. High-frequency vibrations caused by the fast movement of the laser pass into the massive chassis via a single hard point.
• Stamped metal housings are not torsion- resistant or accurate enough to mount a sensitive CD drive where the laser position must be exact. Our massive aluminum chassis protects the CD drive against vibration and electromagnet- ic interferences. Available in silver or black, with optional magnetically attached wooden side panels in walnut, rosenut and eucalyptus.
CD Box S3
A dedicated single CD Player
• Compared to DVD or Bluray Disc players, the drive used in the CD Box S3 is designed explicitly for 1:1 bit-accurate CD playback. The new DAC chip pro- vides precise yet smooth analog out, but there is also a coaxial digital output for connection to and external DAC. The slot-load mechanism smoothly draws the CD in, handling the CD gently.
PRESS RELEASE
The cleanest power for your CD Box DS3
• The Power Box DS2 Sources is a separately avail- able linear power supply. The power supply is a crucial part of the audio path. Sound staging, the darkness of silent backgrounds, and small detail resolution will improve significantly and contribute to a far better overall performance.
Upgradability
• The S/PDIF coaxial output can feed an external DAC for more flexibility and improvement. This way, you can let your favorite high-end DAC con- vert the accurately transferred bitstream from the CD. The CD Box is the perfect addition to your HiFi system, available in a silver or black finish.
The history of Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject was founded in 1991, during the onslaught of the compact disc and CD players, with the mission to offer the best analogue experience for a reasonable price. In a time where the digital audio media had been on the rise, and vinyl was declared as outdated and dead, Heinz Lichtenegger kept his belief in the simple but best way to enjoy music – turntables.
We aim to get as many people as possible into the wonderful hobby that is HiFi audio and to deliver a real stereo experience for the lowest cost possible. The best way to start is with a proper turntable. We want to give the customers back the right to choose what they need, without overblowing our products with unnecessary features.
Here at Pro-Ject, we strive to create astonishing products with impeccable value. We only use the best components for the price and manufacture our handmade goods solely in Europe. With an eye for future trends, we are always trying to fit the needs of the market.
Our passion and drive have been recognized by many acclaimed magazines. We have won multiple awards from the renowned HiFi press for our turntables and electronics over the years. Our products have also been used in countless TV shows and movies.
With cutting edge technologies and machines, we can create visually pleasing products without losing the eye for the finest details. We closely work with partners from the music industry, such as Universal Music Group (The Beatles), Third Man Records (Jack White), The Rolling Stones, Parov Stelar, or the world-famous Hard Rock Café. Many industry leaders also cooperate with us, like the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra or Ortofon for their jubilees. With these partners, we create special limited edition products to give our customers even more choices.
More info: Pro-Ject CD Player
