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Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box

Name: Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box
Brand: Pro-Ject Audio Systems
SKU: phonobox
Rating: 4.4 (13 reviews)

View at Pro-Ject Audio Systems

MC/MM Switching

Best buy MM/MC Phono preamp

MM & MC capable
Full metal housing
Precise RIAA equalisation
Gold-plated RCA sockets

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Overall Score 88/100

Nicely Roasted

Pro-Ject Phono Box — compact, musical phono stage

The Pro-Ject Phono Box delivers remarkable value with a quietly confident, musically engaging presentation. Reviewers highlight its quiet, communicative midrange, taut bass and punchy dynamics that belie the compact chassis. Peter Familari praises its low noise and midband presence, while Ken Kessler underscores Pro-Ject's knack for approachable, well-featured phono designs. The Phono Box supports MM and MC cartridges, offers useful gain and loading options, and meets tight RIAA tolerance for accurate reproduction. Internals are neatly executed with an external 18V PSU and audiophile-grade parts. Ideal for first-time hi-fi buyers or anyone seeking a compact stage that lifts entry-level turntables into genuinely musical systems. Together these traits make the Phono Box a compelling buy for listeners seeking performance and practicality in one box.

StereoNET United Kingdom

"For $280 in Australia, the Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 is an authentic audio bargain deserving of much more than an entry-level moving magnet or moving coil cartridges."

Pros

Very low noise floor and accurate RIAA equalisation, producing a clean background for detail and dynamics.
Musical, communicative midrange with warm, taut bass that conveys emotion and pace beyond its price class.
Surprisingly punchy dynamics and good performance with low-output MC cartridges, making it versatile across systems.

Cons

Treble can be a touch coarse and the unit is not as utterly revealing as much more expensive phono stages.
Cartridge-matching flexibility is limited compared with high-end designs—advanced users may want more granular loading options.

Transparency

89/100

Reviewers repeatedly praised the unit as 'remarkably quiet for a $280 phono stage' and the spec'd RIAA accuracy is tight (±0.5 dB), supporting strong low-noise performance and accurate equalisation. The review also notes it "lacks total transparency" versus much dearer models and does not retrieve the most subliminal detail, so while background noise is very low and the presentation clean, it stops short of reference-level absolute transparency.

Sound Quality

90/100

Reviewers describe the unit as punching 'way above its weight' with low output moving coils and delivering lively, punchy performance; bass response is described as tight and capable of palpable presence with better cartridges. The S2 preserves micro- and macro-dynamic contrasts well for its class.

Cartridge Compatibility

84/100

The S2 supports both MM and MC (40 dB MM / 60 dB MC) and is described as handling both 'with an even hand', but the spec shows fixed MC loading at 100 ohms and standard MM 47k/120pF with no reviewer mention of extensive adjustable loading. This makes it versatile but limited compared with fully adjustable high-end phono stages.

Build Quality

86/100

Internals are described as 'neat as the proverbial pin' with audiophile-grade polypropylene capacitors and an outboard 18V PSU, indicating good component choices and shielding for a compact chassis. No concerns were raised about construction; overall fit-and-finish and thoughtful internals rate above average for the price.

Value for Money

94/100

The reviewer explicitly calls the Phono Box S2 an 'authentic audio bargain' at about AU$280 and says it 'deserves much more than an entry-level' cartridge — strong praise that justifies a high value score. The consensus is that it delivers performance well beyond its modest asking price.