Product Overview
The Pro-Ject Tube Box S3 B is an audiophile phono preamplifier that brings true analog sound to your vinyl playback. It features a symmetrical, discrete amplification stage, a symmetrical 5-pin Mini-XLR input, and symmetrical XLR outputs. Easily adjust settings via the front panel and enjoy clean, interference-free playback thanks to the robust aluminum housing. Available in Silver or Black and made in Europe, the Tube Box S3 B is an upgrade for any demanding vinyl setup.
Key Features:
- NEW symmetrical 5-Pin Mini-XLR input
- NEW symmetrical XLR outputs
- NEW symmetrical & discrete amplification stage
- NEW easy adjustment on the front panel
- 2x ECC83 tubes (replaceable)
- MM and MC compatible
- Dual-Mono design
- Semi-passive RIAA equalization
- Low noise & low distortion
- Aluminum housing protects against interference
- Available in Silver or Black
- Made in Europe
Audiophile Tube Sound
The "B" in Tube Box S3 B stands for Balanced. Connect your turntable using the 5-pin Mini-XLR cable and benefit from the symmetrical signal path. Balanced transmissions consist of a "hot" and a "cold" signal (also referred to as + and -). Both signals effectively carry the same information, but inverted. A symmetrical amplification stage can now extract the musical information from the +/- signals and remove any noise that may have been added during transmission. Because there are two separate signal chains, two individual amplifier sections are required. This is definitively unique in this price class!
The ECC83 tubes deliver a warm and dynamic sound with smooth highs.
Cartridge Settings & Connectivity
Unlike the S2 Line, you can now adjust everything conveniently on the front panel. You can connect two turntables simultaneously, and all input settings are saved.
Gain settings from 40 dB to 65 dB are possible. The symmetrical design makes a difference here. The Tube Box S3 B can be perfectly matched with a wide variety of cartridges and integrated into the rest of your HiFi system by precisely adjusting the volume levels to other sources like CD players or streaming devices. The setting options for MM and MC are designed to work perfectly with the most diverse cartridges. With ultra-low values like 50 pF or 10 Ohm, you can consider special situations, e.g., suboptimal high-capacitance cables. With the Tube Box S3 B, you are always well-equipped.
Connections:
- Inputs: 1x 5-Pin Mini-XLR, 1x Pair RCA sockets
- Outputs: 1x Pair RCA (Line-level), 1x Pair XLR (Balanced)
Visual Description of Rear Panel: The rear panel features RCA input sockets (labeled RCA-Eingang / RCA-Phono-Eingang), a 5-pin Mini-XLR input socket (labeled Symmetrischer Mini-XLR-Eingang, described as a "interference-free connection to your turntable"), XLR output sockets (labeled Symmetrischer XLR-Ausgang), RCA output sockets (labeled RCA-Ausgang / RCA-Line-Ausgang, described as a "interference-free connection to your amplifier"), and a power input socket.
Visual Description of Front Panel: The front panel displays controls for Input impedance (Ohms), Input capacitance (pF), Subsonic filter, and Gain (dB). It also features the Pro-Ject logo and product name "Tube Box S3 B".
Technical Specifications
| Tube complement | 2x ECC83 (12AX7) |
| Input impedance | 10, 50, 100, 1k, 47 kOhm |
| Input capacitance | 50, 150, 300, 400 pF |
| Gain (+ 6 dB with XLR output) | 40, 45, 60, 65 dB |
| SNR MM (40dB) | 97 dBV, 105 dBV ('A'-weighted) |
| SNR MC (60dB) | 83 dBV, 88 dBV ('A'-weighted) |
| THD at 1 kHz | <0.005% MM, <0.01% MC |
| THD (20Hz-20kHz) | <0.1% MM, <0.03% MC |
| RIAA equalization | <0.4 dB / 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Subsonic Filter | at 20 Hz with 18 dB/Octave |
| Inputs | 1x 5-Pin Mini-XLR / 1x Pair RCA sockets |
| Line-level output | 1x Pair RCA, 1x Pair XLR |
| Power supply | 18V/500 mA |
| Power consumption | 18 V/800 mA DC, <0.5 W in Standby |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 206 x 81 x 153 (164 with sockets) mm |
| Weight | 1010 g (without power supply) |
Color Options: Available in Silver or Black.
Manufacturing: Made in Europe.
Badge Description: Features a "HANDMADE IN EUROPE" badge.
