My Reference Phono Preamps! Pro-Ject Phono & Tube Box DS3 Comparison and Review

*One thing I foregate to mention is how Tube Box are more modular than Phono Box. As you can switch tubes, and add different flavors of sound by mixing with different tubes. Also both of them have Balanced output, and if your turntable have Balanced connection it helps a lot with cleaning the sound.

Best Phono Cartridges under 750 euros:

Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 and Rega Phono MM - fantastic value phonos:

Intro:

0:00 What is HIFI Reference
1:27 Cartridge pairings, and best cartridges under 750 euros

Phono vs Tube Box DS3:

2:08 Why I chose these two devices
2:55 For who these preamps are for
3:43 Cheaper alternatives
4:17 Sonic Characteristics and strength of both devices
6:51 Phono vs Tube - Pros and Cons
10:09 Real Life example
13:07 Which one is for me?
13:59 Conclusion

Links:
Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3:

Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3:

Hi, Thanks for Watching this Review, hope you will enjoy it!
If you have any questions, please do ask.

[robertnitsche]

I have a Pro-Ject DS2 Tube Box, and I rolled the tubes with matched Gold Lion ECC83 12AX7 tubes. Big increase in detail and dynamics. I love mine!

[slistone]

Have you tried changing tubes in the ds2? If so can you post a video on how to do that?

[marcbegine]

Main advantage is xlr in and out (+6dB)

[liberwill]

is the tube box ds3 worth the step up from the tubebox s2? Thanks

[pumaweek]

there is an interesting comparison/blind test here on tube between pro ject rs and pro ject tube box ds2...all the time i was thinking how solid state one sounds like tubes...when i see the results, i was surprised how much i prefer solid state preamp phono box rs...maybe tube rolling will help a bit, but anyway, project phono box rs sounds fantastic and much better than tube ones pre in the stock form...it means, you get fantastic sound without taking care about tubes (which is a thing because tubes needs additional attention)...