Phono Box S3 B

Entry-Level True Balanced Phono Stage

A New Access to High-End Features

The New Phono Box S3 B

The Phono Box S3 B is an entry-level phono preamplifier that offers a fully balanced design in a neat, small package. We’ve packed this tiny chassis to the brim with high-end features. One of those is our new True Balanced Connection. At Pro-Ject, balanced connections were exclusive to our RS range of products until now. The Phono Box S3 B brings those features to an incredible new entry level.

True High-End For the New Entry-Level

Our Phono Box S3 B comes in complete new casework. The bigger size enabled us to bring a completely new feature set that was never seen before in this price range. The new steel & aluminium case also offers very high rigidity and isolation against outside interferences, which is essential for the new technology inside. Connect up to two turntables simultaneously – all parameters for each input get stored in the memory. You can perfectly match the Phono Box S3 B to a wide variety of cartridges. Use the gain setting to accurately match the output to other sources like CD players or streaming devices. Ultra-low values like 50 pF or 10 ohms allow you to account for all situations.

Balanced By Nature

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 to access the entirety of that balanced signal. Together with our new True Balanced Connection cables you'll be able to access high-end features that were previously only available on the most expensive of phono stages. And the best of all: any Pro-Ject turntable with RCA, miniXLR or 5P outputs can do it!

Fully Discrete and Symmetrical Gain Stage

The new Phono Box S3 B gain stage uses a fully discrete layout. A discrete circuit is composed of disparate electronic components, and individual devices. The amplifier section is built of single parts and doesn‘t use any integrated circuits! That makes for an extended and more costly design process but results in the best sound quality. The fully symmetrical gain stage can optimize the signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the semi-passive, RIAA equalisation stage with a clean signal to work on.

True Balanced Connection

The symmetrical design is the fundamental standout feature! 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 (household appliances, wifi & Bluetooth, power cables, audio amplifiers).

REVIEW & AWARDS

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Phono Preamplifier and X2 B Turntable Review - Read More

"The Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier and Pro-Ject X2 B turntable combination is an excellent platform to build an analog playback system with. They produce an engaging and lively sound quality from vinyl records and are built to last. And to make them even better, there is a solid upgrade path to get even better sound quality out of both of them. The total combined MSRP price of the Pro-Ject X2 B turntable land Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier is $2,298 USD. For that amount, you get an excellent platform for playing records with a Sumiko Rainer MM cartridge pre-installed and the tonearm balanced. You also get a phono preamplifier which does a great job of extracting musical information out of vinyl records but also does it with a sense of energy and liveliness. That phono preamplifier will also let you connect two tonearms at once and adjust cartridge settings by pressing buttons on its face, which is a real rarity in its price range. And if you want to extend the performance of this combo, you can purchase it from an authorized Pro-Ject dealer for a Superpack which gets you an improved Sumiko MC cartridge and a Connect It Phono S mini-XLR cable at reduced pricing." - Gene Hopstetter

Pro-Ject X2 B/S3 B - Read More

"The overall result from the Pro-Ject X2 B turntable/S3 B phono stage was compelling. It has strong dynamics, high detail levels and excellent timing. The balanced connection is clearly a significant benefit. I wouldn’t work if the turntable and cartridge were not doing the right thing. However, they pull detail off the vinyl in a cohesive and even-handed manner. I’m happy to say that the X2 B does this very effectively. Also, the DS3 B Phono Box does nothing to undermine its efforts. The potential for upgrading the cartridge and power supplies also makes this an appealing proposition for those who enjoy a tweak or two. Even straight out of the box, this combination is a honey! " - Jason Kennedy

Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box S3 B Phono Preamplifier - Read More

"This is where the S3 B is without peers. There simply aren’t any European-made balanced phono stages at this price that can be so easily matched to one’s cartridge and amplifier. The term “benchmark” or “reference” is often thrown about carelessly in product reviews. However, the S3 B is a benchmark product. It’s unlikely that a company without Pro-Ject’s manufacturing expertise and scale could build something similar for the same price. Its exceptional functionality establishes a new bar for what a customer can expect in a $500 phono stage. My hope is that other companies will follow suit, but for now, the S3 B sits alone as an incredibly special product. Bravo, Pro-Ject! " - Philip Beaudette

Test: Pro-Ject X1 B | Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B | Phono preamplifier, record player - Read More

"The real hero of the duo, however, is the Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier, which is wonderfully balanced, sufficiently precise and extremely pleasant-sounding for the money and also offers a variety of adjustment, setting and connection options that are anything but standard in this class. Without any unpleasant silver sheen in the highs and slightly on the warmer side of neutral, it delivers a pleasant, involving sound. One of the most "exciting" phono preamplifiers I have ever heard for the price. " - Fritz Schwertfeger

Test turntable Pro-Ject X2 B with Phono Box S3 B: symmetrical better? - Read More

"Have our friends in the south gone mad? Let's take Shakespeare and his Hamlet: If it is madness, there is a method to it. Pro-Ject wants to revolutionize the rules of vinyl sound from the start. Cinch is an old cow, contact via a symmetrical plug is far better. Only works with MC pickups. Which is why Pro-Ject is bringing a nice bundle onto the market. A record player, a guest gift from Ortofon and the perfect phono amp. Together, it creates magic. The price is still reasonable, but the sound improvement is great beyond all expectations. " - Andreas Günther

Pro-Ject X2 B / Phono Box S3 B review - Read More

"If your main amplification has a balanced input, adding the Pro-Ject X2 B turntable and Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier to your system will mean you will for the first time be able to take advantage of the many advantages of balanced connections all the way from the phono cartridge to amplifier. Even with the benefit of hindsight, I can’t think why anyone hasn’t ever thought of this before. But it’s not just the fact that you’re able to enjoy balanced operation, it’s also the fact that with this duo you’re getting an outstanding moving-coil cartridge, an outstanding turntable and an outstanding phono stage. Tell me, what’s not to like? " - Australian Hi-Fi

Recommended Reference Component: Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box S3 B Phono Preamplifier - Read More

"Philip’s high praise of the Phono Box S3 B, in conjunction with its relatively low price, earned the phono preamp a Reviewers’ Choice award on June 1. But Philip also observed that there “simply aren’t any European-made balanced phono stages at this price that can be so easily matched to one’s cartridge and amplifier,” and that “the S3 B is a benchmark product” because of its performance and features. These comments showed us that the S3 B also deserved to be honored with a Recommended Reference Component award, which we’re now presenting. As Philip concluded in his review: “The S3 B sits alone as an incredibly special product. Bravo, Pro-Ject!” We agree. " -  SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors

Pro-Ject X1B Turntable and S3B Phono Stage Review - Read More

"Of course, this silver bullet does require a bit of context. The X1B is a decent £900 turntable but out of the box it’s arguably no more capable than the precocious Debut Pro. To really experience the qualities that have had me sat here grinning like an idiot, it must be seen as a four figure device, purchased with the S3B and fitted with a moving coil cartridge to suit. Even then, you aren’t done because you need a balanced input on your amp and these are relatively uncommon under £1,500. This is not a one size fits all solution but, going back to the beginning, Pro-Ject knows this and has models ready and waiting for you if you don’t meet these criteria.

If you can go all in though, this is a pairing that does things that usually cost rather more. By simple application of engineering, Pro-Ject has adapted its longest serving turntable to become an incredibly capable device and, in the S3B, created the first meaningful sub £500 reposte to the all conquering iFi ZEN Phono I can recall seeing. This is a specialist solution but what a solution it is. The result is that the Pro-Ject combo has to be seen as a Best Buy." - Ed Selley

Pro-Ject X2 B/Phono Box S3 B Turntable/Phono Preamp - Read More

"This may end up haunting me, but the X2 B/S3 B pairing is truly revolutionary. I hope the rest of the industry copies it as there are no excuses for not facilitating a simple balanced output from an MC cartridge if Pro-Ject can deliver it for under £2000. To paraphrase Jon Landau when he first saw Bruce Springsteen: 'I have heard the future of vinyl playback'. You simply won't believe this combination. " - Ken Kessler

Review: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B phono amplifier - Read More

"You come for the extra functionality but stay for the sound. You can safely say that about the S3 B from Pro-Ject. It may have a very minimalist design and initially seem a bit more complex due to its many buttons. But that is more than compensated for by the possibilities offered and sound quality. Do you want to listen in a balanced way (ever)? Then it is a real bargain. " - Jamie Biesemans

SPECIFICATIONS