This attitude becomes clear with drums and electric bass, for example in the opening of "Too Soon" by Daryle Ryce ( Rosa's Grandchild, 1992, Appaloosa AP063-I): the natural violence of the drum kit, mated to a slappy bass, appears to be reduced, and not by a small extent. Somehow, it seems that Music slows down, attacks and decays appear less sharp than they should be. They both lack that "spark" that makes vinyl sound so lively even when compared to the best digital gear. I feel the PhonoBox is globally better, though - perhaps - less aggressive than the PP-1.Ĭonsidering the dynamic performance, the two preamps are almost equal, a bit slow and compressed, when compared with the Black Cube. If you have read my review of the NAD PP-1 you should already know I don't like this preamp much. Compared to the NAD PP-1, its natural rival, the PhonoBox appears more refined in the highs, cleaner and weightier in the bass. The final result is quite enjoyable and never fatiguing. Indeed, the PhonoBox can add some weight to the bass response of weak turntables and cartridges and at the same time it can "tame" some harshness in the highs. This equilibrium certainly helps to counterbalance the natural attitude of those cheap turntables and carts, to which the PhonoBox will be eventually connected to. Its tonal balance tends to be slightly on the warm side, with soft treble and slightly overblown mid-bass and bass. Of course you can't expect the performance of top-class phono preamps here.but the PhonoBox has been quite a surprise. Input impedance: 47 kohm/100 pF (MM input) - 100 ohm/100 pF (MC input).Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (± 0.5 dB).Output voltage: 200 mV for 5mV 1 kHz (MM) - 0.45 mV (MC).These are the most relevant (claimed) tech specs:
I've listened to the PhonoBox for a couple of months in my B system, then I've compared it to the NAD PP-1 I had already reviewed for TNT-Audio and then to the Lehmann Black Cube SE + PWX. The quality of the construction is good, considering the price tag, while the dual-mono structure is something quite rare at this cost. A bettered version, the PhonoBox SE, is available, as is a tube-equipped one, the Tube Box, at a (way) higher cost. It makes use of a pair of JRC 4580D op-amps (one for each channel) and mid-quality passive components. Technically, the PhonoBox is a dual-mono MM/MC non-adjustable phono preamp with an outboard power supply. One of these is the ProJect PhonoBox, a basic sub-100$/Euro phono preamp, built by Pro-Ject Audio Designs, famous for making affordable and good sounding turntables. The amount of new HiFi components devoted to LP playback is rapidly increasing: new turntables, cartridges, arms and.phono preamps.įor those on a tight budget the choice has never been wider: the NAD PP-1, the GramAmp 1 & 2, the KAB PH-1 and a few others.
Manufacturer: Pro-Ject Audio Designs - Austriaĭespite the assault of brave new hi-res digital formats it seems vinyl playback is here to stay. Product: Pro-Ject PhonoBox - phono preamp