Name: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Brand: Pro-Ject
SKU: 252TBDS2B
Price: 999.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (15 reviews)

by Crutchfield's Ned O.

Great sound from your favorite cartridge(s)

This vacuum tube phono preamp provides versatile options and settings for a wide range of phono cartridges — from moving magnet, to high- or low-output moving coil — so you can dial in the perfect sound for your system.

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Great sound from your favorite cartridge(s)

Characteristic tube warmth for your vinyl

The characteristic warmth of vacuum tube output helps create an effortlessly inviting soundstage. Two pairs of gold-plated RCA inputs and two pairs of gold-plated RCA outputs let you keep both of your favorite rigs connected without having to change cables to switch between them.

Convenient adjustments

The DS2 features adjustable input capacitance settings for moving magnet and high-output moving coil cartridges, plus gain-adjustment options to fine tune for the best sound in any given configuration. 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 (12AX7A) vacuum tubes for optimal channel separation
compatible with moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges
pre-mounted Cool Dampers reduce vacuum tube vibration for lower distortion and provide better heat dissipation for longer tube life
front-panel input impedance control for low output moving coil cartridges (continuously variable from 10-1000 ohms)
adjustable input capacitance and gain settings for more accurate cartridge matching
audiophile-grade polypropylene capacitors
subsonic filter reduces low-frequency rumble and wasted amplifier power (-12dB/octave at 20 Hz)
all-metal chassis for improved shielding from vibration and electromagnetic interference
two sets of gold-plated RCA connectors for corrosion-free signal transfer from two turntables
switchable loading: variable or 47k
capacitance settings: 100pF, 220pF, 320pF (for MM and high-output MC cartridges)
gain settings: 40dB, 45dB, 50dB, 60dB, and 65dB
RIAA response accuracy: 0.2dB (20-20,000 Hz)
THD: less than 0.04%
signal-to-noise ratio: 88 dB
8-1/8"W x 3-5/8"H x 9"D
weight: 3.6 lbs.
warranty: 2 years
MFR # 9120071651718

What's in the box:

Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 owner's manual

Tube phono preamplifier (MM/MC)
AC power adapter (attached 5' DC cord)
3 AC plug inserts (US/EU/UK)
Instructions For Use

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15 reviews

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Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Cartridge Type	MM, MC
Subsonic Filter	Yes
Cartridge Loading	Variable
Adjustable Resistance Load	Yes
Adjustable Capacitance Load	Yes
Vacuum Tube	Yes
Connections
RCA Inputs	2 Pair
XLR Inputs	No
RCA Output	2 Pair
XLR Output	No
USB Output	No
3.5mm Output	No
Optical Output	No
Coaxial Output	No
Specs
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MM)	88
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MC)	88

Product Research

Features

Tube Phono Preamp: The Pro-Ject Audio Systems Tube Box DS2 is a tube phono cartridge preamplifier. This tube phono preamplifier benefits from outstanding circuit technology from Dr. Sykora and uses high-quality components. All components including tube output (ECC83 x 2) and polypropylene capacitors are audiophile-grade to guarantee a breathtaking sound experience.

MM/MC Compatible: The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 phono preamplifier offers amplifications and RIAA equalization for MM and MC cartridges.

Variable Controls: A variable selection of input impedance for MC cartridges can be done while playing a record. Other features include input capacitance for MM cartridges and switchable subsonic, that prevents your amplifier and speakers of ultra low rumble below 20Hz.

Input Gain: The phono preamp's input gain can be adjusted to 40dB, 45dB, 50dB, 60dB, or 65dB.
Input Impedance Adjustment: The variable input impedance adjustment can be set from 10 to 1000 ohms, or a 47k ohm (designed for low-out MC cartridges)
Input Capacitance Adjustment: The unit has a native input capacitance of 47pf. You can increase the input capacitance by 100pf, 200pf, or 320pf; resulting in a variable input capacitance of 47pf, 147pf, 267pf, and 367pf.
Subsonic Filter: The Subsonic filter (-12dB @ 20Hz) can be turned on or off, and helps to reduce low-frequency rumble and wasted amplifier power.

Two Selectable Line Inputs/Outputs: The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 is equipped with two sets of gold-plated line-level inputs and outputs which offers connection of two turntables, plus two receivers or integrated amplifiers. The gold-plated RCA connectors offer corrosion-free signal transfer.

Note: Due to the spacing of the left and right RCA inputs and outputs, some stereo RCA cables with a tethered end will not work.

Power Requirements: The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 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, 0.5A
Output: 18V AC, 1A

Trigger Input/Output: The Tube Box DS2 is equipped with a 12V/2.5mm trigger output and 12V/2.5mm trigger input to turn on/off the preamplifier and connected turntable remotely from a receiver with 12V trigger connectivity.

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

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8 questions already asked

Have the rt85 with ortofon blue. Emotiva ta1 pre amp. I hooked up the pro ject tube box ds2 to the aux on the ta1 and it sounds awful, distorted. Any suggestions? would appreciate.

patrick Jan 12, 2024

1 answer

Greetings Partick. This would be technical support related. If you purchased the Tube Box from Crutchfield, feel free to contact our Tech Support team. They can walk you through the settings on the product and see if there may be a fix. Our toll-free Tech Support number is printed on your invoice, and is also available under the "My Orders" tab in the "My Account" section of our website. If you did not purchase the unit from Crutchfield, then you may want to contact Pro-Ject at 510-843-4500.

hogan Jan 12, 2024 (Staff)

I see that it says that it's a dual mono preamp, does that mean it won't play back my records in stereo?

nick Dec 26, 2022

1 answer

Yes you will certainly still be able to use that preamp on your turntable with vinyl is recorded in stereo. We have friendly advisors standing be able to go into details about this unit so please give us a call at 800.324.9695 and we can get you taken care of!

arielle Dec 26, 2022 (Staff)

I don't see a place for grounding turntables. Are they grounded directly to preamp?

nelson Sep 20, 2021

1 answer

The metal screw head in the upper left corner is the earthing wire (grounding wire) connection location per the manual

jason Sep 22, 2021 (Staff)

If I hook up two turntables, I am assuming that coming out of this preamp I will need separate inputs (or two sets of inputs) in my main preamp.?

nelson Sep 20, 2021

2 answers

The above answer is actually incorrect- I own one of these Tube Box DS2 phono stages and do in fact run 2 turntables into it. You only need one set of inputs on your preamp/integrated amp/receiver as the inputs on the phono stage are toggled via a front panel button. The second output is if you want to run the phono stage to 2 different systems. The outputs are also toggle selectable from the front panel. So in summery you can connect 2 tables (or tonearms) to one input on your system and toggle on the fly. It's incredibly user friendly and easy to use.

justin May 06, 2022

Yes you will because each output on this unit is only linked to the input next to it. So it has two different outputs and will need two different inputs on your main preamp.

jason Sep 22, 2021 (Staff)

It doesn't specifically say you can use two MM carts or two MC carts. Can I use two MM carts with this unit?

paul Sep 05, 2021

5 answers

yes,you can use any combination. 2 mm's, 2 mc's, or 1mm and 1 mc. ,using the settings. the unit also saves these settings for each input. note; i'm getting this info from manual. i don't have 2 turntables, yet

steven Sep 06, 2021

Yes, you can use two MM carts with this. You can hook up two turntables to this unit. It doesn't care whether the cartridges are MM or MC. You can choose which turntable by selecting the desired input. Your selected presets will be saved for MM-capacitance, gain and the 47k impedance setting. With MC the presets you select will be saved (gain is only relevant here) with the exception of the variable load setting. If you are using two MC carts this will need to be changed to suit whatever input you have selected for use. That should be the only adjustment made switching between two MC cartridges.

matt Sep 06, 2021

Absolutely. You can use two carts or tone arms in any combination with this unit. It retains the settings for each of the two inputs. I have mixed and matched while experimenting with different configurations.

norman Sep 05, 2021

Yes you can . I'm using a Fluance RT-81 and sounds amazing . What a difference!!!

neil Sep 05, 2021

You can do either of the two. I am currently using two mc carts and have also used two mm's.

joel Sep 05, 2021

Is there a sound quality difference between this and the original DS, or is it just the extra input and easier control of settings?

michael Mar 08, 2021

1 answer

This DS2 has more settings that can be adjusted (gain, capacitance, etc..) to help improve its match with turntables which in turn helps improve the sound quality.

jason Mar 22, 2021 (Staff)

Is there a warranty?

nathan Sep 07, 2020

1 answer

I think there is a one or two year warranty on the Pro-ject tube box ds2 phono preamp.

richard Sep 14, 2020

Is it conplicated getting the settings right for this pre-amp? I'm getting it for my Fluance RT85 turntable and Edifier S3000 pro active speakers

new user Jun 13, 2020

2 answers

In general this is a very easy Pre AMp to set up. I don't use it with active speakers, but I imagine it's not that different. You would take the output of your RT85(ihave the same turntable) and plug that into the input(Right and Left) on this Pre amp. It has to ins and two outs so you can set up two turntables at once, but you just use the input 1 for both Right and Left. THen you take the Outputs and those go into your amp, which in this case would be your active speakers input. Ok if you already knew all of that, in terms of settings, it depends on your cartridge. So usually onj the RT85 you have either an Ortofon 2m Red, or 2m Blue. In the manual there is actually details as to which selections to use, and you wouldnt even use the dial because that is for MC carts, not MM like those two Ortofons. If you changed your cart, then you would just look up that cart online and it will tell you what setting to use. But it's as easy as pushing a button on this pre amp. Once you've done that I recommend letting the pre amp be on, for days, and you will see it gets better and better as it "burns in." That's it. I love this pre amp. Hope this helped. M.H.

michael c. Jun 16, 2020

I didn't find it difficult to get the settings right. I based the initial settings for gain and load based on the cartridge manufacturer's specs. Then I tuned it manually by listening and making small adjustments. It was pretty easy and it sounds awesome.

robert Jun 16, 2020

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