Name: Pro-Ject Tube Box S
Brand: Pro-Ject
SKU: 252TBBXSSL
Price: 399.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (21 reviews)

Overview

A natural-sounding phono preamp

Pro-Ject describes the sound of the Tube Box S phono stage as "tubey," which is their way of saying that it's warm, dynamic and transparent — dependable vacuum tube qualities audiophiles have treasured for decades. And tube preamps like this one are also excellent at eliminating unwanted noise, so the music on your vinyl LPs will emerge from a quiet background.

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A natural-sounding phono preamp

It features adjustable input capacitance settings for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, plus gain-setting options to match your cartridge to your system. A switchable subsonic filter protects your amplifier and speakers from power-wasting low-frequency rumble below 20 Hz.

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Product highlights:

dual-mono design using two dual-triode ECC83 (12AX7) vacuum tubes for optimal channel separation
compatible with moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges
adjustable amplifier gain, input capacitance and impedance via DIP switches on bottom of unit
- amplifier gain: 41, 51 or 61dB
- impedance settings: 10, 100, 1k, 2k ohms (MC); 47k ohms (MM)
- capacitance settings: 50, 150, 270, 370 pF
subsonic filter (-12dB/octave at 20 Hz) reduces low-frequency rumble and wasted amplifier power
audiophile-grade polypropylene capacitors
RCA stereo input and output pairs
THD: 0.01% MM; 0.05% MC
RIAA response accuracy: 0.4dB (20-20,000 Hz)

Dimensions and warranty:

4-1/16"W x 2-15/16"H x 6-3/4"D
weight: 1.78 lbs.
warranty: 2 years
Our 60-day money-back guarantee
MFR # PRO2030031

What's in the box:

Pro-Ject Tube Box S owner's manual

Turntable (MM/MC) tube pre-amplifier
AC power adapter (with attached 5' DC cord)
3 AC plug inserts (US/EU/UK)
Instructions For Use

Featured review

Replaced an old, inexpensive phono pre-amp with this one. The sound quality is outstanding. My Marantz table and speakers have never sounded better.

LarryM from Rochester, NY

See all 21 reviews

Customer Q&A

Does it come with two vacuum tubes? Also, what is the tube type in case I need to find replacements down the road? Description does not address either of these questions.

Yes, it comes with the tubes installed. They are ecc83 tubes. I have had good results with the ones they come with but better with vintage Telefunken tubes.

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Pro-Ject Tube Box S reviews

Average review:

21 reviews

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Details

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Cartridge Type	MM, MC
Subsonic Filter	Yes
Adjustable Resistance Load	Yes
Adjustable Capacitance Load	Yes
Vacuum Tube	Yes
Connections
RCA Inputs	1 Pair
XLR Inputs	No
RCA Outputs	1 Pair
XLR Outputs	No
USB Output	No
Specs
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MM)	84
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MC)	67

Product Research

Features

Tube Phono Preamp: The Pro-Ject Audio Systems Tube Box S for MM and MC is a very high-quality phono cartridge preamplifier. It utilizes dual-mono architecture with two double triode tubes (12AX7A -ECC83) for optimum channel separation. This unit produces a lively and powerful performance with convincing sound staging and emotional presentation.

MM/MC Compatible: The Pro-Ject Tube Box S phono preamplifier offers amplifications and RIAA equalization for MM and MC cartridges. Input Gain, Capacitance, and Impedance can be adjusted from the dip-switches found on the bottom of the phono preamplifier.

Input Gain: Input Gain can be adjusted to 41dB, 51dB and 61dB for MM or MC cartridges.
Input Capacitance: Input Capacitance can set to 50pF, 150pF, 270pF, and 370pF for MM and MC cartridges.
Input Impedance: Input Impedance can be set to 10, 100, 1000, or 2000 Ohms for MC cartridges only. There is also a 47000 Ohm setting for MM cartridges only.

Subsonic Filter: The Subsonic filter (-12dB/octave @ 20Hz) helps to reduce low-frequency rumble and wasted amplifier power. The Subsonic filter dip-switch is located on the bottom of the phono preamp.

Gold-Plated RCA Connections: The Pro-Ject Box S is equipped with a pair of gold-plated RCA connections for the output stage and input stage. The gold-plate RCA connectors offer corrosion-free signal transfer.

Power Requirements: The Pro-Ject Tube Box S turntable preamplifier operates off of standard household current using the included external power supply. The outboard power supply helps reduce noise and interference.

Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz, 0.4A
Output: 18V AC, 1.0A.

Metal Case: The phono preamplifier features a metal case that shields the electronics from vibration and electromagnetic interference.

Accessories

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Q&A

5 questions already asked

My current preamp is built into each of my two turntables. I get a minor amount of hum from these when playing vinyl. Will this preamp eliminate the hum?

[ James Apr 18, 2022 ]

1 answer

Most likely. This pre is much better than whatever preamp is in your turntable.

[ CRAIG Apr 19, 2022 ]

Does it come with two vacuum tubes? Also, what is the tube type in case I need to find replacements down the road? Description does not address either of these questions.

[ Patrick Apr 18, 2022 ]

2 answers

Yes, it comes with two 12AX7 tubes installed. I upgraded to Genalex Gold Lion Tubes and kept the installed tubes for back up. Great sound using original tunes as well.

[ CRAIG Apr 19, 2022 ]

Yes, it comes with the tubes installed. They are ecc83 tubes. I have had good results with the ones they come with but better with vintage Telefunken tubes.

[ Steven Apr 18, 2022 ]

Can the tube preamp work with a carver sonic holography preamp?

[ Douglas Aug 30, 2021 ]

1 answer

We do not have information on the carver sonic holography preamp, but we do know that this Tube Box S phono preamp can be connected to a preamp input on an audio preamplifier. If that Carver unit is an audio preamp that have inputs for things like CD player, etc.., then this will work with it. We also have advisors that can be reached by calling 1-800-324-9695 who can discuss your gear in greater detail to check compatibility

[ Paul Sep 01, 2021 ] Staff

What are the setting to pair this preamp with an debut carbon evo?

[ Sublime_jac Nov 19, 2021 ]

1 answer

If I understand your question, none. It is analog so connect your turntable to the preamp and then connect to your listening device. It sounds amazing.

[ Paul Nov 19, 2021 ]

The stock pic doesn't show in/out for rca jacks ....turn able. goes to box...then to phono input on receiver, thus cleaning up sound?

[ Scott Dec 11, 2015 ]

5 answers

There is one set of RCA inputs (for turntable) and one set of RCA outputs on the back, plus a post for the grounding wire.

[ Rufus Dec 11, 2015 ]

It has the in/out rca jacks in the rear. The turntable goes to the in jacks and the tube box s out jacks go to your receiver. Don't use the phono in jacks on your receiver use an aux or some other analog in,

[ Billy Dec 11, 2015 ]

Yes rca cables from turn table to the box then from box to receiver. a lot of new receivers do not have a phono input on them and you have to use a box like this.

[ Craig Dec 11, 2015 ]

There are in & out RCA jacks. You would not use the phono input on your receiver since that input contains a pre-amp, instead you would use another RCA input such as a cd input.

[ Thomas Dec 11, 2015 ]

yes 1 set in 1 set out. This is for an amplifier without a phono amplifier, so to be safe, I would plug into an aux. So out from the turntable into the Turntable amp, and out to the receiver

[ James Dec 11, 2015 ]

SHOW MORESHOW LESS