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

[buonassi]

Would someone be so kind as to provide a summary of this kit please?  The idea of reading 34 pages just to get a few impressions puts the damper on my laziness streak.

 

From what I've read so far, concensus on drawbacks:

 

• headphone amp - not adequately powered
• capacitors - questionable quality
• firmware - some kinks?

 

I may be interested in this as an upgrade to my iDAC2.  I've recently had good luck with the sabre sound in my DAP (9028PRO chipped) and would like to incorporate its properties into my main listening chain at home - but I'm not willing to plop down more than $500 at this point - so PRO is out.  Hoping this thing has a decent analogue output stage.  Also like the idea of selectable filters. 

[buonassi]

I have focal elear mainly for home listening.  But i drive it (and my HD600s) with Arcam rHead.  Interested in this as a DAC only feeding my headamp.

[buonassi]

thanks @Mark Dirac - very concise document!

[buonassi]

http://www.pro-jectusa.com/en-us/products/pro-ject-box-designs/dac-s-and-sources/s2-line/dac-box-s2

 

I could just get this if I’m not concerned with mqa, head amp,or having an led display?  Curious how the analogue stage is on this vs the pre.

 

as a stand-alone dac I wonder if this can match the pre sonically. 

[buonassi]

51 minutes ago, Em2016 said:

 

That one linked is not designed by John Westlake though.

 

That's not to say it won't sound great but I think John Westlake (designer) is a big reason the S2D sounds so good.

 

 

Aha, likely a completely different set of internals.  Thx sir.