Turntable legend Pro-Ject has a weird but wonderful new hi-fi box it's a phono stage, streaming hub, DAC, TV HDMI connector, and headphone amp all in one

Date:
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:19:12 +0000

Description:
The Pro-Ject Pre Box S3 brings all your audio sources together

FULL STORY ======================================================================All
your analog, digital and wireless audio through a single pre-amp 13 inputs
and outputs including streaming from aptX HD 499 (about $685 / AU$985)

Pro-Ject maker of some of the best turntables available has announced a new compact stereo pre-amp that's designed to make today's hi-fi systems simpler. The Pre Box S3 unites your vinyl and digital sources, your TV's audio and
your wireless streaming in a single component that acts as a control centre for all your audio needs.

This is a pre-amp so it doesn't contain its own amplification for passive speakers, but you can use it to connect to active speakers or a power amp, as well as to be the source and controller for an existing hi-fi setup. And it looks like a smart option for those of us whose audio diet isn't limited to a single source or to streaming audio.

Design-wise, it's a typically minimalist Pro-Ject affair reminiscent of previous products such as the recently launched Pro-Ject Head Box S3 : Pro-Ject likes to keep things clean and uncluttered rather than add unnecessary bells and whistles. (Image credit: Pro-Ject) Pro-Ject Pre Box S3: key features and pricing

The Pre Box S3 features a phono stage for moving magnet turntables, a DAC for digital sources delivering up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, an analog preamp with a motor driven volume control, HDMI with eARC for your TV, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD receiving up to 24-bit/48kHz audio, and a headphone amplifier
designed for headphones of 16 to 600 ohms, which covers even very demanding models among the best wired headphones .

There are plenty of connections here: two line-level RCA inputs for CD
players and other external sound sources, a MM phono input, two optical Toslink S/PDIFs, a coax S/PDIF, USB-C supporting PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz, and that aforementioned HDMI.

Outputs are generous too. There's a variable RCA for your power amp, a 6.3mm headphone out, a fixed-level line out for second zones or external equipment and a dedicated subwoofer out. There's also a 12V trigger for external
devices and RS232 for custom or multi-room integration.

The Pro-Ject Pre Box S3 is 499 (about $685 / AU$985) and you can have yours
in a choice of black or silver.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/hi-fi/turntable-legend-pro-ject-has-a-weird-bu t-wonderful-new-hi-fi-box-its-a-phono-stage-streaming-hub-dac-tv-hdmi-connecto r-and-headphone-amp-all-in-one


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