null Skip to main content

Ask an Expert

1-800-942-0220 Weekdays: 9am - 7pm EST
Audiophile Learning Center
Ultimate Audiophile Gift Guide Shop Now

Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B - Balanced Phono Preamplifier, Black

Click on image to enlarge.

Share
SKU: PRPBDS3B-BLK
WARNING: for more information go to http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
The Phono Box DS3 B phono preamp offers high-end features at an affordable price, including continuously variable impedance loading selection on-the-fly while music is playing.
Additional Options
    $799.00
    $799.00
    Temporarily Out of Stock. Usually Ships in 5-7 Business Days.
    Have a Question? Ask Our Experts!

    True Balanced, Dual Mono, Fully Discrete Audiophile Phono Stage

    Pro-Ject had always reserved balanced connections to its high-priced RS product series. But now that's changed. The Phono Box DS3 B phono preamp offers some of the high-end features of the Phono Box RS2 at an affordable price and with trusted Pro-Ject quality. One of those features is Pro-Ject's new True Balanced Connection.

    The Phono Box DS3 B incorporates a true, fully balanced gain stage design. Whether you're using a single-ended RCA connection or a balanced connection, the fully symmetrical gain stage can optimize the signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the fully passive and discrete RIAA equalization stage with the cleanest signal to work its magic on. Entirely split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve.

    Balanced by Nature

    The True Balanced, symmetrical design is the fundamental standout feature of the Phono Box DS3 B. Connect your turntable via the 5-pin mini XLR cable and enjoy the benefits of a balanced signal path. A truly balanced gain stage can extract the final musical information, effectively filtering out any noise from interferences stemming from our noisy, modern homes – such as household appliances, WiFi, Bluetooth, and audio amplifiers.

    Cartridges are balanced signal transducers by nature. Due to the internal wiring of MM cartridges, you'll need to upgrade your turntable with an MC cartridge if you want to access the entirety of that balanced signal. Any Pro-Ject turntable with RCA, miniXLR, or 5P outputs is fully compatible with the Phono Box DS3 B.

    Connect Two Turntables Simultaneously

    For ultimate convenience, the Phono Box DS3 B lets you connect two turntables simultaneously. This is a great feature if you use both tables frequently and don't wish to continually have to disconnect and reconnect one to your phono preamp. Adding to the ease of use, all parameters for each input gets stored into the memory.

    Continuously Adjustable Impedance Loading On-the-Fly

    Perfectly match the Phono Box DS3 B to a wide variety of cartridges. Load impedance for your cartridges can be set continuously via a potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems. The potentiometer allows you to adjust the impedance on-the-fly during playback in order to assess the impact of different loading options in real-time. This is an amazing feature at the price, and no other manufacturer implements this feature more elegantly than Pro-Ject. Experiment, enjoy the results, and have fun.

    Steel Chassis with Aluminum Panels

    The Phono Box DS3 B employs a steel chassis with aluminum panels. This construction offers very high rigidity to help provide resonance control. It also offers a high level of isolation from interference, which is essential for getting the best performance from the new technology inside.

    Fully Discrete and Symmetrical Gain Stage

    The Phono Box DS3 B gain stage uses a fully discrete layout. A discrete circuit is composed of disparate, individual electronic components, also called discrete components. Years of experience have proven that even the best Op-Amps do not come close to the neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid presentations of discrete circuits.

    Product Features

    • Hi-res MM/MC phono preamp
    • NEW balanced XLR input / output
    • NEW 5-pin mini XLR balanced input
    • NEW fully symmetrical & discrete gain stage
    • NEW fully passive & discrete RIAA equalization
    • NEW fully discrete audio circuitry - no op-amps
    • Balanced and single ended input / output
    • Dual mono design
    • Continuously variable input impedance loading
    • Precise MC cartridge matching
    • Superior low noise / low distortion design
    • Trigger input / output
    • Heavy aluminum casing protects against interference
    • Available in silver or black
    • Made in Europe

    Product Features

    • Hi-res MM/MC phono preamp
    • NEW balanced XLR input / output
    • NEW 5-pin mini XLR balanced input
    • NEW fully symmetrical & discrete gain stage
    • NEW fully passive & discrete RIAA equalization
    • NEW fully discrete audio circuitry - no op-amps
    • Balanced and single ended input / output
    • Dual mono design
    • Continuously variable input impedance loading
    • Precise MC cartridge matching
    • Superior low noise / low distortion design
    • Trigger input / output
    • Heavy aluminum casing protects against interference
    • Available in silver or black
    • Made in Europe

    Product Specs

    • Input impedance: Stepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms
    • Input capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400 pF
    • Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 60, 65 dB
    • SNR MM (40dB): 103dBV, 111dBV - A weighted
    • SNR MC (60dB): 85dBV, 91dBV - A weighted
    • THD at 1 kHz: <0.001% MM, < 0.004% MC
    • THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0.005% MM, < 0.01% MC
    • RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: <0.25dB / 20Hz - 20kHz
    • Subsonic filter: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave
    • Input: 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono
    • Line-level output: 1x pair RCA, 1 x pair XLR
    • Wiring XLR sockets: 1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold”
    • Trigger In/Out: 12V on/off detector
    • Power supply DC: 18V/500mA
    • Power consumption: 18V/170mA DC, <0.5 W in standby
    • Dimensions: 8.1" x 2.8" x 7.6" (8.0" with connectors)
    • Weight: 3.26 lb. without power supply

    Product Specs

    • Input impedance: Stepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms
    • Input capacitance: 50, 150, 300, 400 pF
    • Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out): 40, 45, 60, 65 dB
    • SNR MM (40dB): 103dBV, 111dBV - A weighted
    • SNR MC (60dB): 85dBV, 91dBV - A weighted
    • THD at 1 kHz: <0.001% MM, < 0.004% MC
    • THD (20Hz-20kHz): <0.005% MM, < 0.01% MC
    • RIAA-equalization curve accuracy: <0.25dB / 20Hz - 20kHz
    • Subsonic filter: at 20Hz with 18dB/octave
    • Input: 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono
    • Line-level output: 1x pair RCA, 1 x pair XLR
    • Wiring XLR sockets: 1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold”
    • Trigger In/Out: 12V on/off detector
    • Power supply DC: 18V/500mA
    • Power consumption: 18V/170mA DC, <0.5 W in standby
    • Dimensions: 8.1" x 2.8" x 7.6" (8.0" with connectors)
    • Weight: 3.26 lb. without power supply

    Product Warranty

    Parts & Labor 2 Years Pro-Ject Audio Systems Warranty Information

    DISCOVER EXPERT TIPS

    Audio Advisor Learning Center - Level Up Your Audio Education

    Customer Reviews

    Back to Top