The Ultimate High Performance Redbook CD Transport
Pro-Ject has always made products that aren't particularly mainstream. As everybody was jumping onto the CD bandwagon, Pro-Ject was just getting started with turntables. Now that everybody is moving into streaming, Pro-Ject has developed a new revolutionary CD player.
People like to have a physical musical medium in hand. That's one of the appeals of LPs and it is also true of CDs. Actual Redbook CD players have gotten rare. Real high-end CD players barely exist anymore.
The drive mechanism of a CD player is essential for accurately reading CDs. But the mechanics in many drives struggle to correctly read CDs and rely on audio interpolation instead, which often negatively impacts the sound quality. As a result, the CD medium has gotten an unfavorable reputation, which is why it is time to create a perfect, top-class CD transport again. Why just a transport? Because most people already have a very good DAC, so to keep things very affordable, Pro-Ject concentrated on making the best CD transport it possibly could.
Being based in Vienna, Pro-Ject was lucky that Philips had its development department nearby. The gentlemen who were part of this epochal invention are still around and formed a company called StreamUnlimited. Pro-Ject is proud to announce that the 'Pope of the CD Player,' Mr. Michael Jirousek, was key to creating Pro-Ject's ultimate CD player.
Taking Standard Red Book Audio CDs to Perfection
The CD Box RS2 T is the latest development in Pro-Ject's line of ultimate top-loading CD transports, built around the StreamUnlimited CD–Pro 8 CD drive mechanism and servo system CD-84. The CD Box RS2 T takes standard Red Book Audio CD playback as close to perfection as possible.
The RS2 T drive has the servo system directly integrated in its aluminum body. The entire body is suspended on a proprietary anti-vibration system, which reduces the level of outside vibrations reaching the insides of the device. The CD mechanism is stabilized and secured, unaffected by external influences.
Vibration dampers are mounted on the very rigid carbon fiber chassis, which further contributes to isolating the CD loader from the outside. Additionally, the whole chassis is firmly connected to the body of the CD Box RS2 T itself. Such a construction brings excellent rigidity to the whole system and at the same time splendid isolation against the whole vibrational spectrum. The CD mechanism has an improved clamp made of a new aluminum alloy. It is perfectly balanced and assures perfect contact between the disc and the drive, achieving smooth rotation and perfect disc reading.
Ultimate Output Choices
Being a transport-only device, the CD Box RS2 T has optical and coaxial S/PDIF outputs for connecting your favorite high-end DAC. The AES/EBU digital output over XLR goes one step beyond the quality of optical or coaxial signals and at the ultimate top, the CD Box RS2 T offers an I²S + Masterclock output over HDMI. This standard offers the perfect digital interconnect and is the ideal solution to bypass the limitations that inherently come with other forms of digital audio connections. This makes it the perfect companion to Pro-Ject's Pre Box RS2. The output options ensure that you can take maximum advantage of all the care and attention that has gone into the design of the CD drive.
A 'Clean' Build All the Way
The CD Box RS2 T provides a 'clean' build all the way. Foregoing any built in converter and preamp electronics ensures that those parts do not interfere with the perfect CD reading capabilities, and they enable the use of high-end DACs.
Pro-Ject is the first company to use the new high-tech CD-Pro 8 drive with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo board. The drive, chassis, suspension and servo board are new designs and offer unprecedented CD performance at this price point.
Massive Milled Chassis
The CD Box RS2 T features sophisticated, super precise, new levels of mechanical technology to read out a bit-perfect data stream.
The massive chassis will never go out of alignment or deform under high temperatures. The cogwheels for the sledge run on precision steel axles. The chassis is milled to the highest accuracy from a solid block of aluminum and each turntable is lathed from steel and chrome plated. This is critical for transportation and ensures it will last a lifetime.
The suspension system consists of a rigid carbon fiber plate, carbon fiber tubes, springs, silicon dampers, and screws. The suspension, cover and turntable platter are made of 100% real carbon fiber.
The robust chassis and electronics around this drive, carry the perfect signal jitter-free to its high variety of outputs. Pro-Ject claims that it‘s the best CD transport ever made, and without any doubt it is certainly the perfect partner for a premium quality DAC.
Beautiful Silver or Black Color Options
The CD Box RS2 T is available in a precision machined, beautiful and elegant aluminum case in silver or black color options. A new remote control in a new entirely aluminum chassis is also included.
