"Consistently Impressive Performance"
The Phono Box S2 Ultra is like no other MM/MC phono preamplifier in its price class. The incredible success of Pro-Ject's Phono Box Ultra 500 urged Pro-Ject to introduce this marvelously sounding phono preamp into its regular S2 line. The solid metal casing protects against interference and the internal design remains as spectacular as before, sharing its critical circuitry with the critically acclaimed Ultra 500.
"With a consistently impressive performance and the ability to handle upmarket cartridges, this is a flexible and attractive phono stage that deserves to be high on any audition shortlist at the price," reports England's Hi-Fi Choice magazine.
No OpAmps in the Design
For the Phono Box S2 Ultra, Pro-Ject chose a fully discrete design that doesn't use OpAmps. This result is startlingly realistic performance from so affordable a component.
Excluding OpAmps from the circuitry is just the beginning of the build. Pro-Ject also employs polystyrene capacitors in the S2 Ultra for the highest performance vinyl playback. These capacitors are known among audiophiles as the holy grail for phono preamplifiers. They are used in many of the finest phono preamps and result in a substantial sonic upgrade – especially working in tandem with the rest of the high-end circuitry.
The Highest Accuracy and Realism
That isn't the end of the Phono Box S2 Ultra's features list. Also included are precise RIAA equalization for accuracy and realism, which most competitively priced phono preamps lack. Also onboard is a switchable subsonic filter (18dB @ 20Hz) to combat turntable rumble and other low frequency resonance, switchable input impedance/capacitance, and four adjustable gain levels to suit a wide range of phono cartridges.
