Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital: MQA HW decoding at reasonable cost

[mfsoa]

FYI I ordered a unit from my dealer (my brother) in the US (NJ) and was told it won't be available until late May.  I told him to get a bunch...

 

-Mike

[mfsoa]

I picked mine up from my dealer in New Jersey (Audio Video Synergy, Clinton) yesterday. Beat the snow!!

Had it on for a day now - Does all it's supposed to - 

 

DSD512 (Hqplayer), PCM 705/768 (sometimes have to set Jriver to half this rate, play for a second, then change back to 705/768 then it plays fine), MQA (hate MQA but Gaucho really does sound good), optical in from a cd player, spdif @ 176/192 from a Pi/Digione/picoreplayer/.

 

So far used in the main system direct to Digital Amp Co's Maraschino Monos but will eventually move to the computer to feed Audioengine A6s.

 

Sounds very good and could easily serve as one's digital hub/preamp in a fine system.

 

-Mike

[mfsoa]

Hmmm haven't checked mine for the pink caps of doom. I'd imagine that the one I got, from the recent arrivals in the US, has been corrected.

 

I still get a pause a few seconds into each MQA track. Is this common or is there a fix?

 

left channel, I really want to thank you and others for your efforts in essentially beta testing this little guy!

 

- Mike

[mfsoa]

Update - My S2 now plays MQA without glitches. I made no change to the PC or the DAC, but it used to stutter ~ 2-3 seconds into every song, for 1-2 seconds. Every time - same thing. Now works perfectly.

 

When I play 705K from JRiver, I get horrible static. I then play at 356 for a second, switch back to 705 and it plays perfectly.