Pro-ject Audio Systems - USA Phono Box DS3 B
The Phono Box DS3 B brings true balanced operation and unusually deep cartridge tailoring to serious vinyl systems. With six gain settings, continuously variable MC loading and selectable MM capacitance, it is built for precise matching rather than compromise. THE AUDIO TAILOR rates its performance highly, while its RS-range-derived technology gives this adaptable MM/MC stage compelling enthusiast appeal.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
50/100
Cartridge Compatibility
94/100
Build Quality
50/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Highly praised overall performance, described by the reviewer as a standout phono preamplifier.
Brings technology associated with Pro-Ject’s higher RS range to a more accessible tier without reported performance compromise.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
The supplied review calls the DS3 B a “phenomenal” and game-changing phono preamplifier, indicating a strongly favourable overall impression. It does not, however, describe its noise performance, tonal character, dynamics, or spatial presentation in enough detail to distinguish those aspects for shoppers.
Transparency Noise Floor
50/100
The supplied review offers no direct listening observations about hum, hiss, background silence, transparency, or low-level resolution. The published signal-to-noise figures are promising, but the review does not report how quiet the unit is in use.
Tonal Balance Musicality
50/100
Although the reviewer’s overall verdict is highly enthusiastic, there is no description of tonal balance, timbre, warmth, neutrality, or musical flow. Listeners seeking a clear indication of its sonic character will need more detailed audition reports.
Dynamics
50/100
The review does not discuss transient attack, rhythmic drive, punch, microdynamics, or macro-scale expression. Its broad praise suggests satisfaction with performance, but it does not establish a specific dynamic signature.
Soundstage Imaging
50/100
No comments are supplied on image focus, width, depth, layering, or the preservation of recorded ambience. The available review therefore gives no direct indication of the DS3 B’s spatial presentation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
94/100
The DS3 B is unusually flexible for MM and MC cartridges, with six gain settings from 40dB to 65dB, selectable capacitance for MM use, fixed 47kΩ loading, and continuously variable 10–1,000Ω loading for low-output MCs. Balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs further support a wide variety of turntable, cartridge, and system configurations.
Build Quality
50/100
The specifications outline balanced connectivity, a 12V trigger, and a separate DC power supply arrangement, but the supplied review does not assess casework, internal execution, shielding, controls, or long-term reliability. There is therefore little direct commentary on construction quality in the available evidence.
Value for Money
85/100
The reviewer positions the DS3 B as bringing technology associated with Pro-Ject’s higher RS range to a more accessible price point, framing it as a lower-cost route to features from that premium in-house product tier. No exact price or named competing phono stages are supplied, so the available comparison is limited to its place below the RS-range alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
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Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Input impedance
- Stepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms
- Input capacitance
- 50, 150, 300, 400 pF
- Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out sockets)
- 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 dB
- Signal / Noise ratio MM (40dB)
- 104dBV, 111dBV - ‚A‘ weighted
- Signal / Noise ratio MC (60dB)
- 85dBV, 91dBV - ‚A‘ weighted
- THD at 1 kHz
- <0,001% MM, < 0,004% MC
- THD (20Hz-20kHz)
- <0,005% MM, < 0,01% MC
- RIAA-equalization curve accuracy
- < 0,25dB / 20Hz - 20kHz
- Subsonic filter
- at 20Hz with 18dB/octave
- Input
- 1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono
- Line-level output
- 1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR
- Wiring XLR sockets
- 1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold”
- Trigger In/Out
- 12V on/off detector
- Power supply DC
- 18V/500mA
- Power consumption
- 18V/max.290mA DC, <0.5 W standby
- Dimensions
- 206 x 72 x 194 (205 with sockets) mm
- Weight
- 1480g without power supply
Manufacturer's Description — Pro-ject Audio Systems - USA
True Balanced, Dual Mono & Fully Discrete Audiophile Phono Stage
A New Level of Balance
The New Phono Box DS3 B
At Pro-Ject, balanced connections were exclusive to our RS range of products until now. The Phono Box DS3 B model offers some of the high-end features of the Phono Box RS2 at an affordable price and trusted Pro-Ject quality. One of those is our new True Balanced Connection.
High-End Features and Limitless Loading Options
The Phono Box DS3 B employs a steel chassis enveloped by aluminium panels. This construction offers very high rigidity and isolation against interferences, which is essential for the new technology inside. Magnetic wooden side panels are available separately as add-ons. You can connect up to two turntables simultaneously – all parameters for each input get stored in the memory. Perfectly match the Phono Box DS3 B to a wide variety of cartridges. Load impedance can be set continuously via a potentiometer, a system invented by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, to adjust the impedance during playback and assess the impact of different loading options in real-time. No other manufacturer implements this feature as elegantly!
Balanced By Nature
Cartridges are balanced signal transducers by nature! Due to the internal wiring of MM cartridges, you'll need a MC cartridge to access the entirety of that balanced signal. Together with our new True Balanced Connection cables you'll be able to access high-end features that were previously only available on the most expensive phono stages. And the best: any Pro-Ject turntable with RCA, miniXLR or 5P output can do it!
High-End Features
Limitless Loading
Steel & aluminium casework. Entirely discrete audio circuitry. Fully symmetrical gain stage. Split passive RIAA EQ. Dual mono. Balanced in & outputs. Stepless impedance matching.
True Balanced
Unleash the full power
Phono Box DS3 B is ready for our new True Balanced Connection. Single-ended RCA connections, quite literally, only use half of your cartridge's output. With one of our new True Balanced phono cables and an MC cartridge you'll hear details and dynamics, previously exclusive to only the most expensive phono stages.
Handmade in EU
Since 1991
Made in Europe by technicians, engineers and designers with decades of experience. Expert craftsmanship. Sustainable products with a long lifetime. Audiophile audio performance.
A Higher Balance
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Authorized dealers for Pro-ject Audio Systems - USA Phono Box DS3 B
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
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- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
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- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
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