Phono Box DS3 B

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Phono Box DS3 B
The Phono Box DS3 B is a dual-mono, fully discrete moving magnet and moving coil phono stage with balanced inputs and outputs. With a host of customisable features, it offers exceptional value for money and brings a notable upgrade to any mid-/high-end analogue hi-fi system.

Phono Box DS3 B

The Pro-Ject design team took the decision to employ discrete circuitry in the Phono Box DS3 B. Discrete circuits involve no operational amplifiers (op-amps), and the result is a more neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid sound. They are more complicated to put together and involve a greater variety of components, but the result when utilised in a well-organised electrical layout is a true high-end sound.

This philosophy for the best possible performance carries through to the variety of conveniently-placed features the Phono Box DS3 B has on offer. The phono stage can be connected to two turntables at the same time, and each input will save its previous settings in memory so the Impedance, Capacitance (for MM cartridges) and Gain will all be set as you switch between turntables. For MC cartridges, the continuously adjustable load-impedance dial on the front panel allows you to perfectly set the impedance to suit your cartridge and your ears.

As the Phono Box DS3 B is equipped with both balanced inputs and outputs, it is also part of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connections concept. By connecting to a turntable with a moving coil or specially designed moving magnet cartridge, and using one of Pro-Ject’s balanced connection cables, your analogue system can benefit from increased dynamics, less noise and improved signal-to-noise ratios. Going true balanced is like hearing parts of your music that were not there before.

Elsewhere in the Phono Box DS3 B design, the fully-passive and discrete RIAA equalisation stage is optimised for absolute accuracy and signal integrity. Depending on the outputs you are using, this stage is then either directly fed to a fully discrete output stage (when using RCA outputs) or is connected to a fully discrete balancing stage for onward balanced connections.

The Phono Box DS3 B is finished in a steel chassis, covered by silver or black aluminium panels, for extreme rigidity and good electrical isolation. The neat minimalist aesthetic can be further enhanced by the addition of retro-inspired, magnetically installed wooden side panels (available separately). It also features an external power adapter, to keep the sensitive internal signals free from any interferences.

True Balanced Connections

The interconnect cable between a record player and a phono stage is prone to pick up noise on the way. That noise and interference can stem from a lot of unavoidable sources, such as household applicances, wi-fi and bluetooth devices, other power cables and audio amplifiers. Unshielded (i.e. RCA) interconnects can amplify the picked-up noise and make it audible through your speakers, interfering with the pure musical signal.

Balanced (typically XLR) cable connections double the wires carrying the musical signal – with one side inverted. In this case noise still gets picked up by both wires, but with one side reversed. When the signals are re-joined at the phono stage, the picked-up noise is cancelled out by the opposing signals. The benefit of this is a louder, cleaner musical signal that has doubled in size with almost no remaining noise.

For more information on 'True Balanced Connections' click here.

This product is no longer available to order and will not be coming back into stock.

In Stock products are those that are currently held in stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse. This stock status is updated regularly but is subject to change at very short notice.

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Special Order items are those that are most often built to order. For these items, we tend to experience longer lead times as we negotiate them into the production line with our suppliers.

Phono Box DS3 B

RRP: £529.00

The Phono Box DS3 B is a dual-mono, fully discrete moving magnet and moving coil phono stage with balanced inputs and outputs. With a host of customisable features, it offers exceptional value for money and brings a notable upgrade to any mid-/high-end analogue hi-fi system.

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Phono Box DS3 B

The Phono Box DS3 B is a dual-mono, fully discrete moving magnet and moving coil phono stage with balanced inputs and outputs. With a host of customisable features, it offers exceptional value for money and brings a notable upgrade to any mid-/high-end analogue hi-fi system.

The Inputs

As the Phono Box DS3 B is equipped with both balanced XLR inputs and outputs, it is also part of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connections concept. Connect your turntable via the 5-pin mini XLR cable or standard XLR cables and enjoy the benefits of the new True Balanced Connection, your analogue system can benefit from increased dynamics, less noise and improved signal-to-noise ratios.

The Outputs

Elsewhere in the Phono Box DS3 B design, the fully-passive and discrete RIAA equalisation stage is optimised for absolute accuracy and signal integrity. Depending on the outputs you are using, this stage is then either directly fed to a fully discrete output stage (when using RCA outputs) or is connected to a fully discrete balancing stage for onward balanced connections.

New Technology Inside

The Phono Box DS3 B incorporates a true, fully balanced gain stage design. Whether you're using a single-ended RCA or balanced connection, both times the fully symmetrical gain stage can optimise the signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the fully passive and discrete RIAA equalisation stage with the cleanest signal to work its magic on. Entirely split passive equalisation allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve.

Accessories And Variations

The Phono Box DS3 B is finished in a steel chassis, covered by silver or black aluminium panels, for extreme rigidity and good electrical isolation. The neat minimalist aesthetic can be further enhanced by the addition of retro-inspired, magnetically installed wooden side panels (available separately). It also features an external power adapter, to keep the sensitive internal signals free from any interferences.

DS Line

The Phono Box DS3 B is one of many in the DS Line. If you would like to see more power amps, speaker boxes and phono boxes, head to DS Line.

James Michael Hughes , StereoNet Applause , May 2022

Pro-Ject X8 Turntable and DS3 B Phono Box Review

"That's the beauty of balanced working; it's all things to all men and gives an across-the-board improvement in every area."

See full review

Ed Selley , Hi-Fi Choice , November 2022

Keep it in the family

"This duo is a superb demonstration of a fully balanced analogue front-end."

See full review


format_quoteHenley Says...

The DS line is the mid-level series of electronics from Pro-Ject, and they perfectly compliment a large array of other hi-fi components from turntables to AV systems. This is in no small way due to the compact chassis and plethora of models available, meaning you can find a unit to fit your need and incorporate it unobtrusively into your system.

However, if you are looking to make more of a statement,  DS2  products and upward have optional magnetic wooden side panels, so you can customise your aesthetic and boast a neat, uniform look accross your hi-fi setup.

format_quote

Scott Lawson Technical Services Manager

  • Every Pro-Ject Audio Systems DS3 product is available in black and silver finishes with optional wooden side panels available separately. Whether you like a solid aluminium chassis, or you want to add the retro-styled wooden side panels, the available options allow each DS2 or DS3 product to fit perfectly into your environment.

    Find out more here.

  • The interconnect cable between a record player and a phono stage is prone to pick up noise on the way. That noise and interference can stem from a lot of unavoidable sources, such as household applicances, wi-fi and bluetooth devices, other power cables and audio amplifiers. Unshielded (i.e. RCA) interconnects can amplify the picked-up noise and make it audible through your speakers, interfering with the pure musical signal.

    Balanced (typically XLR) cable connections double the wires carrying the musical signal – with one side inverted. In this case noise still gets picked up by both wires, but with one side reversed. When the signals are re-joined at the phono stage, the picked-up noise is cancelled out by the opposing signals. The benefit of this is a louder, cleaner musical signal that has doubled in size with almost no remaining noise.

    For more information about 'True Balanced Connections' click here.

  • PDF | 159 Kb | Hi-Fi Choice Review

  • PDF | 1 Mb | Product Info Sheet

  • PDF | 137 Kb | User Guide

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  • JPG | 1 Mb | Lifestyle Photo (Silver)

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  • PNG | 2 Mb | Stock Photo (Rear)

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