Phono Box DS3 B

The Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B is a phono stage with discrete circuitry and support for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Its design uses no operational amplifiers, or op-amps. Instead, the circuit uses a greater variety of components in a more complex electrical layout, with the aim of maintaining neutral, natural, dynamic and vivid sound.

Two turntables can be connected at the same time. The settings for each input are stored in memory, including impedance, capacitance for MM cartridges and gain, so the appropriate configuration is recalled when switching between turntables. MC cartridge loading can be adjusted continuously using the front-panel load-impedance dial.

Balanced inputs and outputs make the Phono Box DS3 B part of Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connections concept. When connected to a turntable fitted with a moving coil cartridge through one of Pro-Ject’s balanced connection cables, the analogue system can benefit from increased dynamics, reduced noise and improved signal-to-noise ratios.

The fully passive, discrete RIAA equalisation stage is designed for accuracy and signal integrity. With RCA outputs, it feeds a fully discrete output stage directly. When balanced outputs are used, it connects to a fully discrete balancing stage for onward balanced transmission.

The steel chassis is covered with silver or black aluminium panels, providing rigidity and electrical isolation. Retro-inspired wooden side panels can be added separately and are installed magnetically. An external power adapter keeps the sensitive internal signals separate from potential interference.

Noise can be introduced into the interconnect cable between a record player and phono stage by household appliances, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, other power cables and audio amplifiers. Unshielded RCA interconnects can amplify this interference, allowing it to become audible through the speakers.

Balanced, typically XLR, connections use 2 wires to carry the musical signal, with one side inverted. Noise picked up by both wires is cancelled when the signals are rejoined at the phono stage, because the opposing signals remove it. This produces a larger musical signal with very little remaining noise, resulting in a louder and cleaner output.