Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Finally! WORTH the Price! Kind of... My new Reference

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[johnboison]

Id love to see this go against the Mani 2. Although it doesn’t have tubes.

[rocknroller]

Hey Randy. I believe it’s worth mentioning to those who care that the S2 is fully discreet no OpAmps whereas the Fosi is hybrid.
Great reviews as always!!!!

[sayubu]

Great review Randy, I really like the fact you always cover the basics, pre-amps/vinyl line out vs phono, etc. which helps the viewers who are watching this video for the first time. It makes everyone feel they are the same level, which is to constantly learn from your reviews without feeling a snobby audiophile. I guess that's why I continue to watch your videos. Already got several products from your recommendations and cannot thank you enough for making me love, appreciate and enjoy physical media again.

[edwardgonczy]

I've never been able to clearly and succinctly explain to my "non audiophile" friends why one needs to boost the signal from a phono cartridge up to the "line level" that is sufficient to amplify a CD player or tuner. I think you do a great job.

[jbones]

I have one of these puppies. Was shocked how much the sound opened up after introducing this neat little tube box in the audio chain. WORTH the money if you love vinyl and have great speakers / headphones.

[timcole]

Purchased the Project Phono-Box S2 4 years ago along with a Rega P1 turntable from Best Buy. I’m 62, grew up with vinyl but never had really nice equipment. Starting over with vinyl was a challenge and I can tell you I’ve learned a lot. I’ve since upgraded the Rega P1 turntable to a Rega P6 with a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge. Martin Logan ESL speakers with various integrated amps. Last year built a Pass Labs F6 Amp (DIY Audio) as well as a DIY Audio Korg NuTube pre amp. Together these components sound amazing and sweet. The Phono Tube Box S2 is still with me. I have upgraded the 12 AX 7s (mine came with Project labeled tubes) to Gold Lions which elevated the sound to another level. I tried the Schitt Mani which is nice but not as detailed, crisp and “airy” as the S2. Yes. paid $499.00 4 years ago. Get one.

[robertm]

You should’ve mentioned a very important feature of a phono preamp is that it provides the necessary RIAA equalization …

[JohnScheppler]

Psvane is a tube company from China but the 12AX7 is a great tube. The 12AX7 has been around for a long time and made by a lot of companies so a lot of great tube rolling options.

[jcanuk]

I use the Fosi X2 directly into a Aiyima A 07, Technics SL-1300 with a Shure V15 III cartridge. Pretty sweet input signal for $70. Thx for your 2 years!

[jeffchristian]

I have one of these gems in my system. I'm running an Audio Technica moving coil cartridge through it and it sounds excellent.
I also replaced the stock tubes with a pair of Gold Lion 12ax7 that sounds even better.

[jamesbowling]

Phono preamps also apply a RIAA equalization curve. Record grooves are cut with certain frequencies omitted due to physical size restraints of the disc and those frequencies are then added back via the RIAA curve in the phono preamp. This is why a normal preamp won't work as a phono stage.

[davidatrakchi]

After using the Hagerman bugle 2 for years I switched to the phono box s2 some 2years ago. Later I upgraded to a Sumiko evo 3 mc cartridge. I find them to be a great mix mainly while playing my old records and finding new nuances in the music plus all the features as beautifully brought by Andy. As much as I can predict, for me this is the end of the journey as far as cartridge/phonostage are concern because I don’t think I can afford to climb to the next level, it will be financially too heavy, you have to triple your investment to get maybe 5% improvement in sound

[Catsaretheenemybutilikethem]

Congrats on your find. I have both the Project and the Fosi. One on each system.
The project is on a darker system and it totally opens it up dramatically. You get a wider clean tone with that Marantz darkness.

The Fosi like you mentioned does add some warmth that’s really nice too. It’s not as clean, but the tone it adds is really nice. I use the Fosi on a clean sounding Sansui so combined it all kind of balances out.

Since going to both tube preamps I can’t go back to just solid state. It’s just so much nicer.

Agreed on the Fosi…for the money it’s the best. If you want to splurge and have a larger soundstage and have more 3d audio get the Pro-ject.

Both are very good regardless.

[rufiorules]

It looks like your old phono still has its original tubes. I used something similar as a tube 'buffer' to give a bit of that sound into my system and I have to say, swapping out the original Chinese tubes for British made Mullards (probably about £30) made a HUGE improvement, maybe the best value for money improvement I've had in audio! Tube rolling can produce excellent results for not a lot of outlay. It might be something you might want to look at in a future video

[michaeltuohy]

I have the Tube Box first generation. Same positive attributes. Bought it on a closeout for $275! Score!

[louiesipes]

Psvane tubes are Chinese made but used by some premium outfits. Primaluna is a multi $K amp and preamp manufacturer and they use them. A good solid state comparison might be Darlington Labs phono pre 😊

[scottengh]

Coffee again. Almost too late of drop. My wife would have issues with $500 for a phono preamp. My 1978 Pioneer 9500II integrated amplifier has 2 phono preamps. I was allowed to build a listening room in the last year. In a new lake cabin. Happy to have what I have, especially since TV shows are typically so bad. Desire better .

[NeilBlanchard]

The other critical thing that a phono preamp does is apply the RIAA equalization curve. Because a record groove can't handle the bass at original levels - the grooves would be YUGE and *very* jagged - AND the highs would be way too small, and would wear out very quickly.
When a record is cut, they cut the bass IN HALF - and the treble is boosted 2X. Any phono preamp has to apply the reverse - it has to double the bass frequencies, and cut the treble by half.
Randy, I started assembly of the AkitikA phono board, for my PR-102 just last night. It costs a whopping $89 plus shipping. Maybe you can review it, as well?

[ayewhite]

I have this phono pre and I’m very happy with it. Also got the accubox upgraded power supply and swapped the stock tubes for gold lion 12ax7’s. Very happy with the sound. Paired with a 2M Bronze @ 220pF

[roikhockenberger]

I am currently using the iFi ZEN phono preamp and I don't really have any issues with it. It does a fantastic job and has the gain adjustments so that you can apply the appropriate gain for your cart. I wish that the Pro-ject Tube Box S2 was half the price so that I would feel better about buying one. My first phono preamp decades ago was a VTL tube unit and it really did magic with my records. Unfortunately I no longer have that magic unit and the price point on most "real" tube preamps is much too high. I believe that some or all of the cheaper tube phono preamps are merely using the tube circuit to color the sound of their transistor amp stage. As far as I can tell the Pro-ject Tube Box is the 'real thing' which may be why I am curious about whether the resulting sound with it would be that much better than the Zen.