Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital Impression Thread

[Soundwave76]

New S2 onwer here. I purchased this to replace the Audioquest Dragonfly Red in my work laptop. No complaints so far - this is a sturdy little quality box, that sounds great!

 

[Left Channel]

What amp are you using with Pro-Ject? I am thinking about getting Magni 3 or Asgard 2 + Pro-Ject.

Running the Pro-Ject pre outs into my Magni 2U sounds better to me. If you also also use a speaker amp or powered speakers you'd need RCA Y cables. My speaker amp is an SMSL A2 TDA7492.

 

[Left Channel]

It has arrived in the USA:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PRPRBS2D

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=pro-ject+pre+box+s2+digital

The Pro-Ject support manager told me last week they're still waiting for the final firmware update release, and will put it on their website when they have it. Meanwhile I'm still giving out the 2.11 beta via PM. It behaves like a final release, and solves the clock-change popping sound as well as the DSD channel reversal problem.

 

[BabetakCZE]

Running the Pro-Ject pre outs into my Magni 2U sounds better to me. If you also also use a speaker amp or powered speakers you'd need RCA Y cables. My speaker amp is an SMSL A2 TDA7492.

I am not going to use it with speakers but with headphones (HD 650, HD 660 S, Fostex TH-X00, in near future probably HD 800 S). Did you compare Magni 2U with Magni 3/Asgard 2 that you are saying it sounds better with Magni 2U? Thanks.

 

[Left Channel]

I am not going to use it with speakers but with headphones (HD 650, HD 660 S, Fostex TH-X00, in near future probably HD 800 S). Did you compare Magni 2U with Magni 3/Asgard 2 that you are saying it sounds better with Magni 2U? Thanks.

I've not heard the Magni 3 nor any Asgard, but Schiit has a characteristic sound. Some say the Magni 3 sounds warmer than the Magni 2U, some disagree. This has been discussed endlessly over on the Magni 3 Impressions thread.

To me the Magni 2U is warmer and richer than the Pre Box S2 Digital head amp, but it's not a large dfference, and some may prefer the S2 Digital's neutral sound as crisp and maybe somehow brighter.

All Magni models are far more powerful than the S2, and would be better able to drive your high-ohm cans. They're so much more powerful that at first they may just sound better than the S2 because they're louder, but I controlled for that. Hope this info helps.

 

[BabetakCZE]

I've not heard the Magni 3 nor any Asgard, but Schiit has a characteristic sound. Some say the Magni 3 sounds warmer than the Magni 2U, some disagree. This has been discussed endlessly over on the Magni 3 Impressions thread.

To me the Magni 2U is warmer and richer than the Pre Box S2 Digital head amp, but it's not a large dfference, and some may prefer the S2 Digital's neutral sound as crisp and maybe somehow brighter.

All Magni models are far more powerful than the S2, and would be better able to drive your high-ohm cans. They're so much more powerful that at first they may just sound better than the S2 because they're louder, but I controlled for that. Hope this info helps.

I want use Pre Box S2 just like DAC (instead of Modi for example) and Magni 3 use as an amp. I think that amp in S2 is not powerful enough (just 68mW into 32 Ohms VS impressive 2 watts into 32 Ohms - Magni 3)

 

[Left Channel]

I want use Pre Box S2 just like DAC (instead of Modi for example) and Magni 3 use as an amp. I think that amp in S2 is not powerful enough (just 68mW into 32Ohms)

Sorry if my second paragraph wasn't clear: to do a fair comparison, I fed the Magni 2U with the Pre Box S2 Digital as the DAC, instead of my Modi 2U.

My third paragraph supports your belief that the Magni will be better able to drive your high-impedance headphones.

 

[BabetakCZE]

Sorry if my second paragraph wasn't clear: to do a fair comparison, I fed the Magni 2U with the Pre Box S2 Digital as the DAC, instead of my Modi 2U.

My third paragraph supports your belief that the Magni will be better able to drive your high-impedance headphones.

Did you try to compare the Modi 2U with Pro-Ject? Is the Pro-Ject a lot better than Modi 2U?

 

[Left Channel]

Did you try to compare the Modi 2U with Pro-Ject? Is the Pro-Ject a lot better than Modi 2U?

Here's an excerpt from my first impressions post:

Comparing only the DAC to my Modi 2U, with both outputting via their preamps to my Genelec M030 active desktop monitors, I find the two products so close in sound that I wonder if I am falling prey to expecation bias when I hear any difference at all, but I do find the Modi 2U to be just a bit smoother.

To get it the Pro-Ject to that level, use the external power adapter instead of USB power. And for both DACs I use an anti-jitter accessory on the USB inputs.

 

[Left Channel]

Also @BabetakCZE this feature-packed little box has been an excellent and reasonably-priced way to explore the possibilities of MQA, DSD, and digital filters. The Modi does none of that.

 

[BabetakCZE]

Now I am also considering Modi Multibit. This is gonna be hard decision.

 

[Left Channel]

Now I am also considering Modi Multibit. This is gonna be hard decision.

Can't help you there. Nice problem to have though!

 

[bluenight]

What amp are you using with Pro-Ject? I am thinking about getting Magni 3 or Asgard 2 + Pro-Ject.

Lake people RS 02 HPA. Ds2 could drive hd 650 quite well and sounded a little clearer but i think there was a little more punch in the bass with rs 02 amp.

 

[fgribas]

New S2 onwer here. I purchased this to replace the Audioquest Dragonfly Red in my work laptop. No complaints so far - this is a sturdy little quality box, that sounds great!

Soundwave76, can you give us some details about Dragonfly Red vs. S2? I currently use a DF Red with my laptop and I'm seriously thinking about getting the S2.

 

[Left Channel]

The final firmware update, version 2.12, has been released. This update fixes the "popping" sound and the DSD right/left channel reversal, and MQA dropouts. There is also a new driver/control panel.

PM me for that update, the driver/control panel update, and my user manual corrections to the sections on power connections and on DSD/MQA local file playback setup. Some of this is on the Pro-Ject website, but I think you'll find my approach more helpful.