Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital (Silver)

I use this product in my main listening system. It replaced a product that was priced several times what this cost and had most of the same features. This product sounds much better, is more flexible, and takes up far less space than the DAC it replaced. It also has a full featured remote that the previous DAC did not. In fact, I am amazed that a product with these features and high quality can be offered at this price. I do not use it as a pre-amp. I place the volume control at full output and control the volume with a very high quality dedicated analog volume control so I haven't evaluated its use as a pre-amp. The rest of the functionality is top-notch and I highly recommend this DAC to anyone looking for one in the $400 to $2K price range. It is a real bargain!!

I bought the product to play TIDAL MQA audio and it works great! I have a iMac (27 inch, 2017, High Sierra OS) and Focal Clear headphones. However, unlike Audioquest etc., Pro-Ject's website gives almost no config info (and you can't e-mail them) so the following should help.After a couple of tries I figured out that the S2 Digital's USB jack was for a USB 2.0 B-cable. USB 3.0 does not work. So what worked was a USB 2.0 A to B cable.Go to TIDAL Settings. Then Streaming. Of course, choose 'Master' and in Sound chose Pre box S2. Then click on 'More Settings'. You will then have three choices: Use Exclusive Mode, Force Volume, and Pass Thru MQA. Be sure to check all three boxes. When I did all that the MQA symbol showed up on the display with a blue dot!Sounds and works great so far. This is a great product at a great price point (even if you don't need MQA).

Have been collecting headphones and related equipment for 4 years. 5 different pair of Audeze, 2 pair of Focal and others such as Fostex and Sennheiser. Own Deckard DAC/Amp, iFi Micro iDSD BL, iFi Pro iCan and often used the gen 1 (ESS 9018) SMSL DAC with added linear power. Fuhrman Elite Conditioner and iFi AC Noise Suppression and AQ Interconnects with 72v DBS System. Tidal MQA (HiFi) most typical source. Mention equipment to set the stage for my pledge that this is EASILY the best $400 I have spent in regards to enjoying Tidal (especially Tidal MQA) with my headphones - WOW! Definitely recommend squirting and extra $50 to add iFi Linear Power Wart but seriously it's awesome to experience MQA unfolding via hardware and the listening experience that is secured. For the first time, I am listening to all files flat - and I believe that my return are listening sessions exactly as the artists and recording engineers intended for me. HIGHEST recommendation for the money possible. Unless you want to purchase a Mytek or similar multi-thousand dollar dedicated DAC - this is the smart pick.

My main use for this box is as a DAC in my office setup connected to a laptop + Roon. I've tried DSD, MQA and FLAC files and it does a great job with everything. It even makes the sound from youtube on Chrome better! The headphone amp isn't the best at driving difficult headphones so I've paired it with a Magni 3 for when I'm in the mood for solid state or a Bravo V2 with a Gold Lion for when I'm in the mood for tube sound. If your headphones are easy to drive then the integrated amp will be fine.

Improve sound quality over Dragon Fly DAC which costs about $300 less. Better transparency, sound stage, imaging and volume control. Small foot print, easy to set up next to laptop or desktop computer. The sound is a little bit strident when hooked up to a CD player via COAX cable in a home audio setting (while listening through Sennheiser 660 S headphones). Skimpy manual.

Superb sounding DAC for its pricerange. This is not "plug and play" device really. Although it will probably transfer sound at the instant you plug it in, that will only be CD quality sound, regardless of the source. For MQA, it takes a little bit of effort; upload the drivers from their website or from the supplied CD. You'll need to also adjust settings at the TIDAL website if that's what you're using, to get MQA sound. I'm frankly thrilled with this component, found it to be a nice upgrade vs the DacMAGIC I was using, plus for MQA recordings I'm very very pleased and impressed.

This is a great DAC when it works, BUT.... The mini power plug on the back of the unit broke off within a few days (and not from repetitive use). I didn't write a review at the time, but merely returned it for a refund, before buying another one from the same vendor that supplies it to Amazon. On the new one, it took a month for the mini power plug to break off and fall into the back of the unit. Needless to say, that one is also being returned. Pre-box has a good reputation, but they won't keep it very long with shoddy manufacturing like this.

The sound of the Pro Ject Box S2 was detailed, clean and articulate across the spectrum. It kept its composure with low frequencies, but if you want extended low frequencies you'll need a sub. (Good luck figuring how that will hookup with the box.)Highs were accurate with no harshness or edginess. Its sound lacked spaciousness and warmth, which are two traits important for classical music.A few reviews about ProJect products mention loose parts, poor build, etc. The S2D I received is solidly built, no loose anything. Unfortunately, my unit would not power down. Left it on all night, and it was still on in the a.m. Contacted Sumiko, who responded quickly, but simply replied that it was supposed to power down on its own. Despite good sound and value, it went back to Amazon.