Review and Measurements of Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital

[Urushi]

Why do Pro-Ject DACs have much more stuff on the boards than similar DACs, like from Schitt and JDS?
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=...0Box%20S2%20Dig/Inside-800x700.jpg&f=1&nofb=1

 

[amirm]

They are using a lot of electrolytic capacitors (large cylinders). That by itself doesn't mean much.

 

[allhifi]

Hmmmm .... So, you're disappointed, in this "specification":

" ...We see a rise in noise floor with some peaks and valleys. Nothing of audible concern but a bit disappointing."

Are you guys for real ?

You measured : Jitter and noise over S/PDIF and vs. USB. AND between 135-to-140 db down, you BELIEVE it's
nothing of "audible" concern -yet disappointing nonetheless ! Priceless. As you guys are.

Keeping technical/performance criteria in-check is laudable. Suggesting one device (audio component)
is better/worse in use and sound quality by 'test results (signal generators/spectrum analyzer) is naive -and
meaningless.

peter jasz

 

[vkvedam]

Hmmmm .... So, you're disappointed, in this "specification":

" ...We see a rise in noise floor with some peaks and valleys. Nothing of audible concern but a bit disappointing."

Are you guys for real ?

You measured : Jitter and noise over S/PDIF and vs. USB. AND between 135-to-140 db down, you BELIEVE it's
nothing of "audible" concern -yet disappointing nonetheless ! Priceless. As you guys are.

Keeping technical/performance criteria in-check is laudable. Suggesting one device (audio component)
is better/worse in use and sound quality by 'test results (signal generators/spectrum analyzer) is naive -and
meaningless.

peter jasz

Hi Pete
I am partly in agreement with your statements but the whole point of a DAC/Amp is to be invisible in the chain and let the source file and reproducing speakers/headphones do the talking, don't you agree?
Ven

 

[PaulZH]

I don’t see a “known firmware bugs” section.

This doc is made by a general user, not Pro-Ject

The only firmware related issue I see being discussed on this forum, on Head-Fi, on CA Forum, on Pink Fish Media, is just the MQA bug. But that's easily solved, as discussed in posts above.

There is at least a second one: noise or pops when playing a DSD file after a PCM file.

 

[allhifi]

Amir: I'm trying to understand your (publication's ) 'Raison d'etre' ?

And so thought an analogy may be in order: What specification for a Porsche '911'
can be shown to demonstrate (prove unequivocally) to be the finest sports car extant ?

Thanks,

peter jasz

 

[Sal1950]

Amir: I'm trying to understand your (publication's ) 'Raison d'etre' ?

And so thought an analogy may be in order: What specification for a Porsche '911'
can be shown to demonstrate (prove unequivocally) to be the finest sports car extant ?

Thanks,

peter jasz

In what area(s) of performance?

 

[allhifi]

In what area(s) of performance?

In what area(s) of performance?

Seat-of-the-pants 'Excellence': the subjective feel, thrill of this superb (near undisputed) best sports car.

That criteria.

pj

 

[allhifi]

Hi Pete
I am partly in agreement with your statements but the whole point of a DAC/Amp is to be invisible in the chain and let the source file and reproducing speakers/headphones do the talking, don't you agree?
Ven

Ven: Indeed, I do -agree.

AND, are Amir's "specifications" (test results) supposed to give us insight into superior resolution/accuracy and 'tonality' -as we hear/feel/sense it ?

pj

 

[Sal1950]

Seat-of-the-pants 'Excellence': the subjective feel, thrill of this superb (near undisputed) best sports car.

That criteria.

pj

That's not a quantifiable area of performance, such as 0-60 acceleration or 60-0 braking, skid pad G's, rear wheel HP and Torque, etc.

The "subjective feel" part is related to imagination, not real performance. An area of which I believe you use a lot of.

 

[BDWoody]

Seat-of-the-pants 'Excellence': the subjective feel, thrill of this superb (near undisputed) best sports car.

That criteria.

pj

Amir: I'm trying to understand your (publication's ) 'Raison d'etre' ?

And so thought an analogy may be in order: What specification for a Porsche '911'
can be shown to demonstrate (prove unequivocally) to be the finest sports car extant ?

Thanks,

peter jasz

It would be more like comparing two different engine control modules.

The 'car' in your example would represent the entire sound system. The DAC being tested would be the control module CPU.

You seem confused what to expect from this site..consistently.

 

[Sal1950]

You seem confused what to expect from this site..consistently.

Naw, he's not confused at all.

 

[vkvedam]

Ven: Indeed, I do -agree.

AND, are Amir's "specifications" (test results) supposed to give us insight into superior resolution/accuracy and 'tonality' -as we hear/feel/sense it ?

pj

Hence the focus towards source file and speakers is paramount. You shouldn't really feel/sense the DAC or Amp or cables in the chain, if you do then this is adding colour portraying a different picture. Having said that, this Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is a good piece of kit but slightly expensive in comparison.

Coming to your automobile analogy, think of DAC and Amp like core engine system (Pistons, Con-rods, Crankshaft etc) which you shouldn't feel, it's the drive you need to feel

 

[allhifi]

That's not a quantifiable area of performance, such as 0-60 acceleration or 60-0 braking, skid pad G's, rear wheel HP and Torque, etc.

The "subjective feel" part is related to imagination, not real performance. An area of which I believe you use a lot of.

.... And in the most important area/criteria available to us (humans? lol) -user/driver/listener interpretation ('feel') you are completely devoid
-a lot.

If I would put your answer/comment (to my question) to professional race car driver's, they would laugh themselves to injury ...

pj

 

[allhifi]

Naw, he's not confused at all.

Lol. I'm confused as to what you folks 'glean' from playing/talking/looking/marveling at your equipment -test equipment, here's hoping.

pj

 

[allhifi]

It would be more like comparing two different engine control modules.

The 'car' in your example would represent the entire sound system. The DAC being tested would be the control module CPU.

You seem confused what to expect from this site..consistently.

I see. OK, how does the sound system 'sound' when this/that particular ECM module is installed ?
No difference ?

pj

 

[allhifi]

Hence the focus towards source file and speakers is paramount. You shouldn't really feel/sense the DAC or Amp or cables in the chain, if you do then this is adding colour portraying a different picture. Having said that, this Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is a good piece of kit but slightly expensive in comparison.

Coming to your automobile analogy, think of DAC and Amp like core engine system (Pistons, Con-rods, Crankshaft etc) which you shouldn't feel, it's the drive you need to feel

Yee-hah, Give the man a cigar, for he says (quite correctly):

" .. it's the drive you need to feel."

Something like: " It's the 'sound' you need to hear " (No ?)

pj

 

[vkvedam]

Yee-hah, Give the man a cigar, for he says (quite correctly):

" .. it's the drive you need to feel."

Something like: " It's the 'sound' you need to hear " (No ?)

pj

You are funny Anyway, do you own this DAC/Amp? Can you share your impressions?

 

[BDWoody]

I see. OK, how does the sound system 'sound' when this/that particular ECM module is installed ?
No difference ?

pj

If it has the same specs and measurements as another, no difference.

Just like a DAC. Replacing one with another with equivalent measured specs will result in no audible difference.

 

[BDWoody]

I'm confused...

pj

Indeed.