Lewis CaliburnPro-Ject has unveiled the CD Box RS2 Tube, the latest addition to its top-of-the-range RS2 line. Combining a CD transport, a fully balanced tube (valve) output stage and an integrated high-end DAC, it delivers accurate playback, high-quality construction and the tactile pleasure of physical media.
The CD Box RS2 Tube is a dedicated CD transport, focused solely on accurately reading CDs. Unlike multi-format players, which must balance CD, DVD and Blu-ray playback, this machine is optimised for one purpose: extracting every bit of data from your CD cleanly and reliably.
At the heart of the system is the SUOS DM-3381 Red Book CD drive, a high-precision mechanism with robust aluminium construction to minimise vibration and mechanical interference. SUOS-HiFi, formerly StreamUnlimited Optical Storage and founded by former Philips CD engineers, is based just north of Vienna (near Pro-Ject’s headquarters), where it continues to develop CD mechanisms. Coupled with the BlueTiger CD-88 servo, the drive maintains precise tracking and reduces read errors, ensuring accurate digital data reaches the DAC.
A central feature of the CD Box RS2 Tube is its fully balanced tube output stage, which employs two E88CC vacuum tubes. While tubes do not alter the digital data, they enrich the analogue signal with warmth and musical fluidity.
The output stage is available in both fully balanced XLR and single-ended RCA connections:
- Balanced XLR: Reduces noise, improves clarity – balanced audio connections are the standard among professional musicians, recording studios and for live concerts.
- RCA: Still benefits from the valve character, offering warmth and musicality without requiring balanced wiring.
The CD Box RS2 Tube incorporates a carefully selected DAC, chosen for its analogue-like presentation. By including a DAC, the CD transport can connect directly to any amplifier that accepts analogue inputs, using either RCA or XLR, the integrated tube stage can fully shape the signal from digital to analogue and digital outputs remain available for users who wish to connect an external DAC.
Without an onboard DAC, a pure transport design could not connect directly to analogue-only amplifiers, limiting flexibility. With the selected DAC, the CD Box RS2 Tube can work in a variety of systems while delivering its signature tube warmth.
Built as a True Red Book player, the CD Box RS2 Tube adheres to the CD‑DA standard, delivering 1:1 playback, reading each disc exactly as encoded so every bit of original data reaches the DAC.
With its valve output and hand-picked DAC, the CD Box RS2 Tube is designed to reproduce CD audio as close as possible to an analogue record. For the millions of CDs bought over the years, it provides a rewarding way to rediscover those recordings.
It is available in black or silver finish and compatible with the Pro-Ject Power Box RS2 Sources power supply upgrade. An external power supply keeps sensitive tube circuitry free from interference and employs a full aluminium casework and solid, vibration-damped chassis.
The LCD shows track, time, and CD-text informatio and it comes with an aluminium remote control.
Combining the accuracy of a true Red Book CD transport with the natural warmth of its tube
The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Tube will be available this month from Pro-Ject dealers across the UK, priced at £1,749 (UK SRP). Henley Audio exclusively distributes Pro-Ject in the UK.