Comparison: Pro-Ject Phono Box RS vs. Pro-Ject Tube Box SE II

I'm so happy that YT is back in allowing me to post comments with my nickname and notifying me via e-mail about my videos activity that I decided to respond to a request :) This is a comparison video (yeah, like in the old days, haha) between two of the best phono preamps in Pro-Ject's line. As I always said YT compression tends to even out the samples and the differences between them become very subtle...well, at least we get a flavour of it ;) The main reason I've made these kind of videos is to help people who want to upgrade their equipment; I hope these videos will help them decide whether it's worth the spend of money or not. The equipment involved in this test consists of Ortofon 2M Black along with my modded Technics SL-1200MK5 TT :) My plan is to make a second video with a moving coil cart in order to put the MC section of these preamps to the test ;) This time around the sound will be switching between each preamplifier every 30 sec, in the next video I'll let you hear the full song with one of the phono preamps and then the entire song with the other one :) Thanks for watching.

#mfsl #hifispongebob

[maciejszlachta]

Great comparison, you can exactly hear the kind of euphoric coloration tubes add vs the indifferent nature of solid state. In this case, I tend towards Phono Box RS.

[castell]

the Tube Box is warm and welcoming to my ears as I close my eyes and try to sleep the Phono Box wakes me up and it seems brighter

[practicalguy]

These videos you make have great sound quality on your channel. I came across this video because I'm leaning towards buying the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS after a lot of research and budget. I'm listening on a fanless hifi computer running a great DAC/Preamp soundcard, power amp and Concept 20 speakers calibrated with an RTA for the flattest room speaker positioning. I am amazed at how good your YouTube videos sound comparing to some of my hi-res files. You should make a phono preamp shootout with all you have and play the same song on the same cartridge. I guess that would be less than optimal for the preamps that have a fixed capacitance and resistance. Each cartridge needs a specific PF/R and is the reason I want the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS so i can dial my AT440mla in and hopefully find the sweet spot to lose the bright resonance at about 12khz!

[watchnerd]

I could pick the difference pretty much every time just be listening to the cymbals / high hats. The Tube Box has more shimmer, or possibly one could say slightly exaggerated topmost octave.  That made it sound more subjectively lively, although I think the RS is more neutral.

[derricktaylor]

Great video, from my listening experience the guitars sound more musical on the SE versus the RS. The guitars on the RS sound a touch cold and flat. The SE just adds or allows the silk to shine through when I listen to the overall presentation of the song. Thanks for sharing these.

[musichasthebeat]

Affirmation by José Feliciano played by Gerge Benson on jazzy guitar.
From 1976's album Breezin' by G B and the Claus Ogerman orchestra. 
It was recorded and mixed by Al Schmitt for Burbank, home of Warner Bros. records.
Nice to be a helping hand. Greetings from CHILE.

[AnalogueInTheUK]

Very interesting. Through good headphones, they are clearly different.

I prefer the tubes, but the SS is a great unit too.

More uploads please.

[rogerrojas]

I have listened to the Tubebox SE II extensively and have compared it to PS audio GCPH and two Rogue Audio phono stages the Ares and the built in Preamp stage used on their 99 and only the Modified Ares at 5 times its cost was the clear winner . If I ever find my self down grading I will still be happy using that Phono stage. I'm sure they ar others just as good in the sub1k market  but I haven't felt a need to listen anymore.  We used a modified   VPIScout with Shelter 901 (sound smith top line re-tip) a Grado Sonata on a vpi Areis and a AT MLX150 on a Pro-Ject Carbon to audio them. 

[takajun]

I have Pro-Ject Phono Box RS. It's so good sound.

[DTM-Books]

I just scored a used Tube Box SE II, thanks largely to your videos, which were very helpful in making up my mind. I owned a Tube Box II years ago and greatly enjoyed it, but you know how hard it can be to buy audio gear. So much of it is overhyped and overpriced. I'm really looking forward to hearing the SE in person. As for this shootout, SE wins by virtue of sounding identical, maybe a touch more musical, then the Phono Box, which is vastly more expensive.

[TheVinylBroadcaster]

More can be heard from the RS, but what could be heard sounds better from the Tube Box IMHO.  Thanks for posting this.  I've actually in the process of finally ditching the pre-amp I run now for a Jolida JD-9.  Glad to hear the Project line still sounds good on the higher ends.

[RonRivet]

Both very nice. Having difficulty deciding which I like best :)

[alvidrez]

Both sound really good . I love the airiness of the tube but love the low end of the rs . I wonder how the schiit mani holds up to these

[Fendervana]

The solid state RS from a price point and market segment is step from the tube unit.  Could get better dynamics losing those 5751s in favor some Telefunken 12ax7s smooth plates. 

[gsherlock]

Vinyl already has a slightly rounded off sound when it comes to the transients pluck from guitars so I' m not sure why I'd want to add more of that with the Tube Box? Phono Box RS for me.

[scottdorn]

Just wondering what you prefer between the Phono Box RS and Tube Box DS2?
Also what tubes do you prefer in the DS2?
There seems to be a "house sound" between these two on this video - more alike than not. Slightly clearer/cleaner with the RS, slight bit fuller and rounded with the Tube box.. Thanks for sharing with us on Youtube!

[MrLsouza]

Must admit i didn't hear any difference. I don't know the tube box topology but, when I went to local shop, I noted the PSU low voltages and small chassis of this kind of amps (Bellari, etc) must be a issue.
I'd like to see this legendary and expensive 5751's in a less commercial and more dedicated circuit to make a judgement.

Even with this complications, the 5751 sounds awesome by itself.

[mike.thomas]

Let me just be the first to admit I hear no difference. At first I listened with my eyes closed and could not detect the switch. Then I did it sighted and still couldn't tell a meaningful difference. They both sound good. It could be YouTube compression, or I could have tin ears (definitely little above 12khz), or it could be that I listened on an only OK set of in-ears with an iPad. Regardless, it was a cool demo. Thanks for posting.

[wrestletube]

They both sound the same in the bass and midrange aka punch department on YouTube in my headphones but the RS has a bit of treble on top of having the same bass and midrange punch so RS wins because it has a bit of treble on top of the same sound.

[dariosk]

every time u switch to the tube box I go that's nice'
good tubes rule!