Project phono stages

By Michael Wong

August 2007

Phono Box MkII, $199. Phono Box SE, $399. Tube Box II, $549.

Project Phono Box II

Project Phono Box SE

Project Tube Box II

Three is a big number amongst the superstitious, surreptitious or serendipitous. Throughout history trinities (the state of being three) have existed in human affairs; religion, literature, cultural events. Three is also associated with completion or the search for perfection.

In audio three is often seen as a good thing; triodes, three point turntable suspension, tripodal isolation and support systems etc.

Last year I had the good fortune to be able to compare the new Plinius Koru with it’s predecessors, the Jarrah and M14, for an all-Plinius trifecta of analogue goodness.

Trio projection

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice but once again I have a familial threesome of phono preamplifiers, this time from Pro-Ject Audio, a leader, if not the leader in the field of affordable, high quality turntables and related accessories.

Over the years various Pro-Ject turntables have been reviewed by AudioEnz and other magazines. Less attention has been given to their analogue accessories: tonearms, replacement platters, isolation platforms, record weights, wall mounting shelves; electronics like turntable speed controllers, headphone amplifiers, phono preamplifiers.

This month we look at three Pro-Ject phono preamplifiers; the solid state Phono Box II and Phono Box SE, and the valve Tube Box II.

Although targeted at different price points the three share similar electrical and mechanical architecture:

RIAA equalisation and amplification for MM/MC cartridges with selectable gain and (fixed) loading; 40dB gain/47kohms for MM, 60dB/100 ohm MC for the Phono Box II and Tube Box II. The Phono Box SE has slightly less gain; 36.5dB/56.5dB and offers two choices for MC loading, 100 ohms or 220 ohms. Selection is via simple push buttons on the rear of the Phono Box II and Tube Box II; fiddly little removable jumpers on the underside of the Phono Box SE.
Metal casework providing electrical and mechanical shielding.
Dual mono circuitry for optimal channel separation.
Single-ended inputs/outputs with good quality gold plated RCA phono socketry.
Outboard wallwart power supplies. The Phono Box SE can also be battery powered.

The Phono Box II and Tube Box II share a similar looking compact chassis with the Tube Box being longer and having a front panel power switch accompanied by a very blue status LED in addition to the two tubes protruding from the rear. The Phono Box SE stands apart in having a much larger finned case with classier perspex front panel and another too bright blue LED. Both solid state units are sans power switches, being designed to be continually powered up. The Tube Box II has a front power switch to preserve tube life by allowing the unit to be switched off when not in use.

One, two, three...

First up the Phono Box II. This turned out to be a pretty decent performer at the price. Bold in presentation with quiet backgrounds, impressive clarity and good dynamics. There was a good attempt at recreating a soundstage with width, depth and height. No obvious tonal nasties but a slight tendency to sound a little hard and mechanical with demanding music.

Next the Phono Box SE. This is well worth the extra money. Through the SE music takes on greater colour and vitality, with body, life and subtlety that was absent with the Phono Box II. There’s a nicer rhythmic flow with sweet treble, smooth mids and warm, rounded bass notes.

Finally the Tube Box II. This stands a class apart from the solid state units. Building on the SE’s performance, the Tube Box adds an air of sophistication missing from the other units. Music is reproduced with finer detail, greater dimensionality, immediacy, dynamics and openness.

Up against the establishment

So how do the Pro-Jects fare against the established local phonostage benchmarks ?

The Phono Box II is a nice entry level for those on a tight budget. To better it will require an extra $50 which will get you the lusher, more musical NAD PP2, or for $100 more, the Cambridge Audio 640P (now priced at $299, up $50 since my review). The Cambridge also becomes a thorn in the side of the Phono Box SE, offering a comparable, though slightly leaner performance, for around $100 less.

The Tube Box II fits neatly above the Cambridge but below the established sub-$1000 benchmarks, the out of production Plinius Jarrah and Dynavector DV-75, in price and performance.

There’s no loser amongst these three Pro-Jects. Each model impressed at their respective price points. With such affordable and readily available high quality analogue products, we are well and truly in the second golden age of vinyl.

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