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Transport Of Delight

• The arrival of these new components shows just how diversified the Box Design range has become. For each kind of component, from phono stages to CD players and DACs, there’s a series of models at different levels. It can make for a somewhat confusing read when you have the entire catalogue before you, and while of course you can mix and match across the various series, the devil is in the detail when identifying at which level a product sits.

Around The Clock

• But the weapon of choice when using the CD Box RS2 T in tandem with the Pre Box RS2 Digital will be its HDMI output, which carries the digital signal in I2S format along with a separate Masterclock feed. In theory, at least, this synchronising clock feed should eliminate many of the problems inherent in conventional digital connections.

Dual Mono DACs

• Under the bonnet, Pro-Ject has levered-in a pair of ESS Sabre ESS9038 DACs in dual mono configuration, alongside seven selectable digital filters, MQA decoding plus the option of two analogue filters, operating above 25kHz or 120kHz. The DAC offers switchable upsampling to 384/352.8kHz: you can leave it off, only upsample MQA files or upsample everything, and also turn reclocking on or off, which may be advantageous with files at higher sampling rates. Finally you can switch between the company’s bespoke solid-state and triode valve output stages.