Il Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B is a balanced phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges, where the "B" stands for balanced. It brings some solutions from the Phono Box RS2 to a DS3 line device: gain stage completely symmetrical, circuit entirely discreet without amplifiers operanational, equalization Passive RIAA and structure dual mono.
It accepts up to two turntables at once, on a 5-pin mini XLR input , one XLR and one RCA , and remembers the settings for each. Gain ranges from 40 to 65 dB in six steps (6 dB more from the XLR outputs), capacitance from 50 to 400 pF and the MC load impedance is continuously adjustable between 10 and 1.000 ohms with a potentiometer, even while listening.
What's the advantage of a balanced connection with an MC cartridge? The cartridge is naturally a balanced source: with Pro-Ject True Balanced cables, the signal arrives intact and any interference picked up along the cable is cancelled out. A 20 Hz subsonic filter, 12 V trigger, and steel chassis with aluminum panels complete the package; magnetic wooden sides are sold separately.
| Stadio phono | MM+MC |
|---|---|
| Rapporto S/N | 104 dB |
| Dimensioni | W 20,6 × H 7,2 × D 19,4 cm |
| Input impedance | 0,01–1 adjustable (MC) or 47 (MM) kOhm |
| Analog inputs | Phono: 1 mini XLR 5-pin, 1 pair XLR, 1 pair RCA |
| Analogue outputs | 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR |
| Harmonic Distortion (THD) | 0.001% |
| Alimentazione | External 18 V / 500 mA DC |
| Weight | 1,5 kg |
| Trim | Silver or black |
| country of origin | Europe |
Pro-Ject Audio Systems is an Austrian hi-fi brand founded in 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger and based in Mistelbach, Lower Austria. The first turntable, the Pro-Ject 1, was a reworking of a model produced at the former Tesla factory in Litovel, Czech Republic. Today, Pro-Ject products are designed in Austria and manufactured in factories in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany, and the brand is present in over 80 countries. The Pro-Ject 1 won the EISA Best Buy Turntable Award in 1991, the first of numerous international accolades, including several Red Dot Design Awards.
The idea behind Pro-Ject is to make high-fidelity vinyl accessible to a wide audience, with ready-to-use turntables and accessories and upgrades to improve them over time.
Many Pro-Ject turntables share recognizable construction features: carbon fiber tonearms, like the 8,6-inch Debut EVO 2, damped platters with TPE rings, and adjustable damped feet. The Debut EVO 2, launched in 2024, has a non-magnetic die-cast aluminum platter, which also allows for the use of moving coil cartridges, and the Pick it MM EVO cartridge made by Ortofon. The Debut PRO, launched in 2021 to celebrate the brand's thirtieth anniversary, has a one-piece carbon and aluminum tonearm with azimuth and VTA adjustment. Since 2023, the catalog has also included EVO tonearms, available separately in 9-, 10-, and 12-inch lengths.
The range of turntables is very broad: from the entry-level models of the E, T1, and T2 series to the Debut, introduced in 1999 and now available as the Debut EVO 2, Debut PRO, and Debut Reference, up to the X, RPM Carbon, The Classic, X-tension, and Signature series. There are also the A1.2 and A2 automatic turntables, models with Bluetooth or integrated phono preamplifier, and special editions of the Artist Collection dedicated to The Beatles, Metallica, Elvis, Harley-Davidson, and others.
Alongside turntables, Pro-Ject offers compact electronics from the Box line: phono preamplifiers (Phono Box, Tube Box), DAC converters (DAC Box), streamers (Stream Box), headphone amplifiers (Head Box), preamplifiers and power amplifiers (Pre Box, Amp Box), integrated amplifiers (MaiA, Stereo Box), CD players and transports (CD Box), tuners (Tuner Box), and external power supplies (Power Box). The abbreviations indicate the level: E for input, then S2 and S3, DS3 with flagship features such as balanced operation, and RS2 at the top. The offering is rounded out by Pick It cartridges, tuning accessories, and record cleaners.
When choosing, the first criterion is the amplifier. If it doesn't have a phono input, the T1 EVO Phono has a switchable preamplifier and connects to any line input, while the T1 EVO BT also transmits via Bluetooth. Those who already have a good phono input can opt for the Debut EVO 2 or Debut PRO, which, thanks to their non-magnetic platter, also accept MC cartridges, paired with a DS3 B Phono Box or an MC Step Up Box. Those who prefer not to touch the tonearm at the end of the record can choose the A1.2 and A2 automatic tonearms.
In our Carpi showroom, you can listen to Pro-Ject turntables and electronics in the listening room and receive advice on matching them with cartridges and systems. The same models can be ordered online at audiocostruzioni.com with shipping, asking us for advice first by email if necessary.
They are two moving magnet cartridges in the same price range, both with a thin-profile stylus, both designed for those who want the most from an MM without switching to MCs. But the Sumiko Amethyst and Ortofon 2M Black ask your system…
Before any discussion about sound, a number: the 2M Black outputs 5 mV, the Amethyst 2,5 mV. Exactly half.
If the product is available for immediate delivery at the store (as indicated in the "Availability" section), it will be handed over to the courier the same day or the day after payment is received, with tracking sent via email. If the product is available at an external warehouse (also in Italy), it will typically be shipped within 2-3 business days of ordering and delivered directly to your home, again with tracking via email. Standard courier processing times must be added to these times (24-48 hours for mainland Italy, a few more days for islands). For international shipments, delivery times vary depending on the destination country.
We accept credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), bank transfer, Scalapay (pay in installments up to €3.000), and Findomestic (dedicated financing for larger amounts). All payments are protected by SSL encryption and processed via certified gateways.
You have the right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days of receiving the product. You can find moredalirates, costs and refund times on our dedicated page: Right of withdrawal.
All products are covered by a manufacturer's warranty (minimum 24 months for new items). Our warranty applies to used and vintage products. AudiocostruzioniAll conditions on the dedicated page: Guarantees.
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