Pro-Ject Audio - Tube Box DS - Black

Having used the Tube Box DS for roughly a month now, I can definitely say I made the right decision. Prior to this, I had been using a Rega MM Phono Pre-amp and, after upgrading, I can feel a real clarity in my audio that simply wasn't there before. It took a while to dial in the right settings for my cartridge (mostly because Rega refuses to release the required specs for their cartridges) but now that I have, it has been glorious. I'm looking at upgrading the stock tubes to something a little warmer and will update my review once I have done so.If you're already using something in the $300-$500 range, you probably won't notice that much, if any, difference as - and this is important - the tubes are only for the output stage. If you are looking for a pre-amp that is going to give you the tube-sound from input to output, then this isn't for you.My only complaint is that the blue-LED on the front is quite bright - but this was easily fixed with a small speck of superglue over the LED to diminish the light.

Man this thing sounds fabulous, I am listening to it right now and gotta say, soundstage is fantastic. My Cambridge cp-2 was good but they aren't even in the same league. This is major league, Cambridge minor league. Price was lowered, I guess they came out with the ds2 so they want to get rid of these. I love this guy, and the tubes aren't even broke in yet. Billy Joel or someone on album just clicked their finger and yep, it was a crisp snap. Wow. I was on the fence for a new one and like magic, this price lowered 42%. For 400 bucks, are you kidding me? One last thing is the noise. This starts to get noisy when I have the volume up to 3/4 volume. At half volume it is still quiet. Also that is as loud as I care to listen. The Cambridge cp-2 was already noisy at half volume so I win again. I would recommend this for the 400 bucks but not for the 700. Hope this helps you if you are on the fence.

Got unit ontime, is exactly as described. Wanted to try tubes, so this replaced Schiit Mani SS. Be patient and let it burn in. Took about 30-40 hours before it started to sound good. I'm using a Denon 301mk2 MC cartridge in a Grace 747 tonearm on a Rega Planar 3 TT. At first, I thought the sound was pleasing (nice warm tone, tubes?), but felt closed -in. Space around instruments and voice didn't feel separated and soundstage would not go beyond left and right; however, front to back depth was fairly deep. I'm giving only 3 stars due to tech support from Project/Sumiko. I tried to follow directions from supplied limited manual for loading/gain settings and found it confusing. I texted Project tech support and was referred to Sumiko (US distrib) tech. Sumiko sent a blanket email response that they received my request and would contact me....THEY NEVER DID!! I called Sumiko in Cal and got a receptionist , she said all were busy, but relay my non-response from them to me, and that they would get back to me...NEVER HEARD BACK!....so not sure about my settings for optimum playback to give you an accurate review...all I can say at this point is, for $400, you may want to look at other phono preamps before buying this one

Came with busted tube. Tubes are soldered to the board, so no tube rolling here. Overall, there are better options out there.

I found this phono preamp relatively easy to set up for my Pro Ject Debut Esprit table. I have an Option 2M Blue stylus, and there were recommended settings for the 2M Red in the manual. The two share a cartridge, so I went with the same settings. The jumpers were a bit fiddly, but a pair of tweezers and a steady hand did the trick. A definite improvement over my Cambridge 651p. Wider soundstage and more separation between instruments. I like it plenty. Also, HiDEF Lifestyle had an easily accessible 800 number and offered some good advice on setup. Overall very happy with my purchase.

If one is not familar with setting "jumpers" and load capitance this phono preamp is a real pita because the instructions included with this are the most confusing ever written! Once you have figured out how to set this correctly for your phono cartridge it really sings tho. I was using a very nice vintage NAD c1000 preamp before and the difference with this one was immediate even without tube break in. Just a wider soundstage and a cleaner more defined sound. Cant wait till the tubes get a few hours on them. Project needs to get someone to write the instructions on this so a normal person can make heads or tails of it! Otherwise pleased........................

less than zero. exhaustive trouble shooting trying to have it operate on my marantz SR2009 receiver and project turn table. spoke with their tech people, even swapped out all cables and tried on a yamaha receiver and technics turn table. no joy.seller took it back with my paying for shipping both damn ways. pro-ject apparently fixed. now I've it back and still the same. they won't give me my money back.I've never wasted so much time and money an a piece of audio equipment and got nothing.

I can see how the original price was so high, this is a bargain now with the DS2 being out. Unfortunately my non-primo tt AT-LP5 does not take its preamp out of signal path when turned off. Creates problems, a buzz / hum. Have to try something different.The gain adjustment was impressive, I only had it set to 50 and the volume level for the record matched, maybe exceeded the level for digital inputs on my rig.If there is an open box deal soon snatch it up quick, wish it could be mine!** Got rid of the problem tt and purchased a good one (same brand) without a preamp at all. No issues now, of course. Had to pick this up again. This is going to be great with the incoming low-output mc cart, the settings options are plentiful.

A rodaggio delle valvole praticamente ultimato, posso dirlo: mai un acquisto fu migliore di questo!!Con questo sistema, che è ibrido, si ottiene il meglio dei due mondi: a stato solido e valvolare: solo la parte finale del processo di amplificazione è valvolare, ma ciò nulla toglie alla bontà del prodotto: la musica respira, si sente il "calore" del vinile.

Comme je le dis dans le titre, ce préampli phono fait preuve d'un excellent rapport qualité prix...Il est associé à une cellule MM Audio-Technica VM760SLC.J'ai changé les tubes d'origine par des NOS de chez Mullard et la dynamique a progressé!J'y ai ajouté une alimentation linéaire en lieu et place de celle d'origine et l'aération, la précision, la scène sonore se sont trouvées transcendées!Franchement, pour 418€, ce préampli est une aubaine avec ses réglages disponibles même si il est maintenant remplacé par le modèle DS2 qui n'apporte rien de plus en qualité sonore...(même construction!)

Wollte mal eine deutsche Bewertung schreiben, da ich vor dem Kauf lange skeptisch war, warum sich niemand zu diesem Produkt äußert. Vorallem bei dem hohen Anschaffungspreis, überlegt man gleich zweimal ob man den Vorverstärker kaufen sollte oder nicht.Ich war lange auf der Suche nach einem geeigneten Vorverstärker, da ich auch wie viele andere mit dem Sound meines "billig" Vorverstärkers und Kombination mit dem AV Receiver höchst unzufrieden war.Ich verwende einen Pioneer SC1223 dazu mein alten Technics SL3310 und 4 Magnat Zero 4 für den Stereo Betrieb, also nichts besonderes.Der Vorverstärker ist von der Verarbeitung sehr guter Qualitätsstandard und kam super Verpackt mit Anleitung etc an.Vom Klang war ich positiv überrascht, viele Feinheiten, die ich vorher nicht gehört hatte werden jetzt übertragen und steigern den Hörgenuss, vorallem das sterile war weg, allerdings will ich hier nicht sagen, das dies ein wahrlicher Klangaufbesserer ist, sondern eher ein "ehrlicher" Klangübertrager. Wer als Musiker Röhrenverstärker im Vergleich zu Transistorverstärker benutzt hat wird verstehen was ich meine.Beim Sound ist ein klares plus an Bass und Höhen zu erkennen, wobei ich mir mehr Wärme gewünscht hätte, wie ich es von einem Röhrenverstärker her kenne, dies ist sicherlich durch einen Röhrenwechsel problemlos möglich.Ich bin trotzdem mit dem Vorverstärker super zufrieden und habe keinen einzigen Euro bereut. Für mich einen klare Kaufempfehlung um einen tollen Klang aus seinen Platten zu zaubern, aber bitte keine Wunder erwarten.

I have a modest Hi-FI set up and am on a modest income, my vinyl is fast becoming the main source of my listening enjoyment preferring it over digital sources for its realism, texture and depth. After reading an article on separate phono stages and valve amplification I thought this small investment to my set-up could improve my wax time. I use a Yamaha AS-500 amp which does have a built in phono stage but was assured that this little gem would do a better job, how right they were. After unboxing the tube box and getting my head around the slightly confusing set up I was up and running or rather sat down chilling to some beautiful music. Firstly I did not have to turn the volume level up 25% more than my digital source, the sound took on smoother kind of warmth ( as I have the amp set on Pure Direct any of the sound qualities made by the Tube Box are not being distorted by the amp ). There was a separating unity to the music as in one could define the instruments much clearer whilst still being together, the sound staging was improved and the overall sound quality was at another level. I fully recommend the Pro-ject Tube Box it has transformed my listening from good to very good indeed!!

Mi dò il beneficio del dubbio, cioè di non essere stato stato capace di settarlo nonostante le abbia provate un po' tutte (le istruzioni sono penose, ho scritto alla Pro-Ject, manco di striscio). Messo dopo una Goldring Eroica LX, pena e compassione: si incupisce tutto, non capisco. Ho ricollegato il mio antico pre Onkyo P504 con stadio MC, ottimo suono, squillante e pieno. A questo punto penso proprio di renderlo