Review on 🔊 Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital - Black: High-Performance Audio Converter with Sleek Black Finish by Crystal Thompson

I've had this DAC for a few weeks now. I thought long and hard before buying this DAC as the price of $399 isn't exactly cheap. I was skeptical when I bought it, but so far the overall impression has been positive. The full "deployment" of MQA is quite different from the "initial deployment" in the TIDAL desktop application. Prior to this S2, I was playing Tidal MQA via the desktop app on my MacBook connected to a Denon 4310CI via an optical cable. I bought this DAC specifically for MQA which I think sounds better than the normal streaming TIDAL HiRES. Denon drives a pair of Paradigm Studio 60v5 speakers. I installed this DAC as a pre-input from Denon. The computer was connected to the S2 with a USB cable. I could tell right away that the sound was different. The biggest difference is in the clarity of the highs, the imagery and the separation of the instruments - this was tested with the MQA recordings of Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong on Tidal. I then tested it with rock music and the first was Hotel California (remastered) in MQA by the Eagles. The mids are crisp, and the low end is reproduced so well that it's not muddy in the lower mids. Bass is reproduced beautifully. I also tried it with my tube preamp (Little Dot MKIII) connected to the Denon via pre-in. The sound with MQA or regular HIRES is breathtakingly beautiful. So it fits well in this setting. Not so good: - Can't turn off - No power switch. This sucks and I'm not sure what use case Project had in mind. The display is small and unreadable from across the room. In defense of the S2, the display is great! It's just that this device is pretty small, so I think it's asking too much. As a headphone amp, it sucks. I tried it with my AudioTechnica ATH-M50x, which is one of the easiest to use, and also with my Sennheiser HD 700s - the result was disappointing. The sound is thin and if you are looking for a DAC that can be used as a headphone amp I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere. Bottom line: This DAC is great value for money with or without MQA - a fantastic SQ if you're streaming MQA over Tidal. The ProJect S2 is great as a DAC, as a source for a preamp, or as a preamp for a power amplifier. It's not intended for serious headphone listening. Recommended if you are looking for a great MQA DAC in this price range. Although it has disadvantages in some areas, such as B. the lack of a power switch and a weak headphone amplifier, it suits my use case as a dedicated DAC. all my requirements are fine. Therefore I give 5 out of 5 points. Update: The socket broke after less than 2 weeks of use (USB input looks like a 5V connector). Luckily it was still covered by Revain's return policy so no damage was done. Also, this is not a proof of support for the project, but a remark on quality. At $399 this thing should be more durable. Disappointed with the build quality, I am revising my original rating from 5 to 4 stars. I thought about giving it 3 stars but I think the sound quality and the features are pretty good, for example it's the only DAC in this price range that has a volume control. Although it may not be intended to be used as a standalone preamp, the remote control feature is very handy. I would not order again and will choose something more durable. Unfortunately, this means you pay a lot more.