True Balanced, Dual Mono & Fully Discrete Audiophile Phono Stage

Balanced connections were exclusive to Pro-Ject's RS range of products until now.

The Phono Box DS3 B offers some of the high-end features of the Phono Box RS2 at an affordable price with astounding sonic quality. It features the 'True Balanced Connection', which, in combination with a Pro-Ject turntable with a 5-pin balanced output and 5P to XLR cable, can achieve a totally balanced connection, minimising noise and delivering a breathtaking analogue signal.

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 are stored in the unit.

The Phono Box DS3 B perfectly matches to a wide variety of cartridges in real time. 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!

A Technical Deep Dive

The Phono Box DS3 B incorporates a true, fully balanced gain stage design. Whether you're using a single-ended RCA or balanced connection, the fully symmetrical gain stage can optimise the signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the fully passive and discrete RIAA equalisation stage with the cleanest signal to work its magic on.

Entirely split, passive equalisation allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve. The Phono Box DS3 B also uses fully discrete audio circuitry. A discrete circuit is composed of disparate, individual electronic components, also called discrete components. Years of experience have proven that even the best Op-Amps do not come close to the neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid presentations of discrete circuits.

A Broad Array of Cartridges Await

The Phono Box DS3 matches superbly to a wide range of cartridges thanks to precise load impedence adjustment on the front panel for moving coil cartridges. Because the impedance can be adjusted so easily and in real time as a record is playing, getting the exact setting for your taste is simple.

High End Design

The Phono Box DS3 B incorporates a fully balanced gain stage design. Whether you're using a single-ended RCA or balanced connection, the fully symmetrical gain stage can optimise signal-to-noise ratios, feeding the fully passive and discrete RIAA equalization stage with the cleanest signal to work its magic on. Entirely split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve. 

Elsewhere, the Phono Box DS3 B uses fully discrete audio circuitry. A discrete circuit is composed of disparate, individual electronic components, also called discrete components. Years of experience have proven that even the best Op-Amps do not come close to the neutral, natural, dynamic, and vivid presentations of discrete circuitry.

True Balanced Connection

The Phono Box DS3 B offers the option of running a fully balanced signal. And the best part is that thanks to a range of new cables from Pro-Ject, these inputs can be used with any Pro-Ject turntable, whether it has RCA or 5P XLR outputs. 

However, to truly utilise the balanced circuitry, a Pro-Ject turntable with a moving coil cartridge and 5P output can be connected to the Phono Box DS3 B with a 5P to XLR cable. The decreased noise and interference and improved dynamics have to be heard to be believed.

Full Technical Specifications

Input impedanceStepless 10 – 1000 ohms or fix 47kOhms

Gain (+ 6dB using XLR Out sockets)40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 dB

Signal / Noise ratio MC (60dB)85dBV, 91dBV - ‚A‘ weighted

THD (20Hz-20kHz)<0,005% MM, < 0,01% MC

Subsonic filterat 20Hz with 18dB/octave

Line-level output1x pair RCA, 1x pair XLR

Trigger In/Out12V on/off detector

Power consumption18V/max.290mA DC, <0.5 W standby

Weight1480g without power supply

Input capacitance50, 150, 300, 400 pF

Signal / Noise ratio MM (40dB)104dBV, 111dBV - ‚A‘ weighted

THD at 1 kHz<0,001% MM, < 0,004% MC

RIAA-equalisation curve accuracy< 0,25dB / 20Hz - 20kHz

Input1x 5-pin mini XLR / 1x pair XLR / 1x pair RCA phono

Wiring XLR sockets1 ground, 2 “hot” and 3 “cold”

Power supply DC18V/500mA

Dimensions206 x 72 x 194 (205 with sockets) mm