Imagine a compact amplifier that isn't hidden away in a rack, but proudly displayed on a shelf. The Pro-Ject Stereo Box DS2 is just that — it's designed to be seen. Its sleek metal body, minimal buttons, and pleasant backlighting give it a very modern and unobtrusive look.
But it's not just a pretty piece of hardware. Behind the stylish facade lies serious hardware ready to bring your music to life. The amplifier easily handles speakers of different calibers, and its clear and dynamic sound will surprise even the most discerning listener.
The DS2 will fit perfectly into the space of a young music lover who appreciates both technology and design. This is a case where the device becomes not only part of the audio system, but also a stylish element of the interior. Let's take a look at what it can do and who will definitely like it.
Not just yodeling
First, I would like to correct a small geographical injustice. In the minds of many of our compatriots, Austria is exclusively the Alps, beer, and yodeling. Meanwhile, Austrians are extremely fond of technology and periodically surprise the world with truly stunning designs. Here are a couple of particularly striking examples.
Classic vertical shelves are not to everyone's taste, and the designers at Pro-Ject know this.
The manufacturer of a well-known energy drink (which, of course, was also invented in Austria) put together a team to develop a Formula 1 car. And even without their own engine, these guys managed to build a car that currently has only one real rival—Mercedes.
Here's another example. The world of handguns is extremely conservative, and many design solutions have remained virtually unchanged since the century before last. In the 1980s, Austrian chemist (not a gunsmith!) Gaston Glock invented and created a pistol that is now used by elite units in many countries, including such mega-authoritative arms empires as Russia and the United States.
My point is that we should not underestimate the potential of the Austrians, even in areas where other national schools traditionally lead the way. However, the Pro-Ject brand has already made a name for itself in the audiophile community and is now actively expanding its sphere of influence.
The Pro-Ject Stereo Box DS2 is not just an amplifier, but a stylish audio gadget for those who want to listen to music with taste and without unnecessary fuss. It is compact, with a modern design, fits easily into any interior, and is perfect for young people who appreciate both sound and appearance. Plug it in and it plays right away: it supports everything from Bluetooth to vinyl, with clear sound and character. This is an amplifier that you don't hide behind a curtain, but put in a prominent place — as an element of style and good mood.
All-metal housing
Pro-Ject's catalog of hi-fi components, which until recently was dominated by phono preamps, is now being actively supplemented with CD transports and even mobile DACs that are as far removed from vinyl as possible.
An external power supply does not have to be a compromise
We will take a look at a classic component that can be used in absolutely any setup — the Stereo Box DS2 integrated amplifier. By the way, in addition to it, the DS2 line includes two power amplifiers (stereo and single-channel), a headphone amplifier, two CD players, a DAC, a network player, three phono preamplifiers (one of them tube-based), and even powerful power supplies capable of serving several components at once. In short, there will be no problems with forming a complete, uniform setup.
Traditionally for Pro-Ject, the dimensions of the device are not tied to the good old 43 cm front panel width. The width of the compact DS rack is 20.6 cm, but that's if its owner decides to stick with the standard all-metal design. For more refined tastes, side panels in walnut or eucalyptus finishes are available. They add another 3.4 cm to the width. Judging by the wood grain pattern, the side panels are most likely finished with natural veneer.
The body itself is assembled from thick aluminum plates, and in reality it looks, and more importantly, feels in your hands, much more solid than you might assume from the pictures in online catalogs. The natural silver color of the metal or its dark patina, combined with light or dark wood finishes, offers a total of six design options. Therefore, there will be no difficulties integrating the equipment even into the most unusual interior.
Buttons and connectors
The front panel is quite minimalistic. The input and power buttons are very small and protrude only a few tenths of a millimeter above the front surface. The holes behind which the indicator LEDs are located are so microscopic that it feels as if tiny blue sparks are flashing right on the metal surface.
The volume control knob is also not large, but just enough so that it does not lose its feel of convenience and comfort when touched. It rotates with a pleasant effort — no less than other “pucks” the size of a tin can. Incidentally, even with a very small stroke, the buttons also have an excellent, pronounced response. So not only the design, but also the ergonomics of our hero are top-notch. The only thing is that in bright sunlight, it will be quite difficult to see the display.
Blue LEDs are not always a sign of blatant bad taste
The rear panel features three unbalanced line inputs and phono preamp tulips. It can work with MM and MC cartridges, with fixed cartridge impedance settings. For MM, the input impedance is 47 kΩ, and for MC, it is 100 Ω.
The acoustic terminals are compact but quite convenient. The main thing is to understand that this is a fairly serious but elegant and compact setup, clearly not intended for use with multi-band floor towers and finger-thick wires. By the way, the preamplifier section has two outputs, adjustable and non-adjustable, so there will be no problems connecting additional amplification or active monitors.
Nowadays, only the most authentic high-end devices do without Bluetooth support. The Stereo Box DS2 also has wireless connectivity, with an impressive external antenna for the radio path and a chipset that supports the aptX codec.
Switching is simple and logical.
Among other things, the switch includes trigger ports for controlling external devices, as well as a phenomenally powerful and impressive power connector. It should be noted that the 36V (and, apparently, bipolar) power supply is quite comparable in size to the main body. So there you have it: the answer to the question of how to radically reduce the size of the main device without compromising on circuitry. Incidentally, the powerful connector is secured in the socket with a cap nut — a very sensible solution.
Connection
In the test setup, I used my trusty DALI Ikon 1 MK2 2.5-way bookshelf speakers, as well as Adam A7X active monitors and AKG K712 Pro headphones.
The mobile app doesn't seem to be updated very often, but I didn't feel any particular need for it.
Let me remind you once again that the Stereo Box DS2 is not equipped with any DACs, except for the converter in the Bluetooth module. This Bluetooth works very reliably and without failures — except that it took a while to connect to it. The fact is that the proprietary Box Control mobile app turned out to be not fully compatible with Android 11, and the Pro-Ject DS2 series itself was not found in its support list — only DS. However, even without it, the wireless connection worked perfectly in the end.
There is not much official information about the internal design of the integrated amplifier. Only the “dual mono” topology and power output of 2 x 135 W (4 ohms) are specified, as well as volume control via a motorized potentiometer.
The preamplifier section is assembled on discrete components, and the pulse amplification is placed on a separate board.
If you look under the top cover, you will find that the main switching and preamplification board has a vertically mounted assembly that is very similar to the pulse amplifier modules from the well-known Dutch developer Hypex. Of course, I could be mistaken about the origin of this unit, but there is little doubt that the power amplifier belongs to class D.
The Pro-Ject Stereo Box DS2 is a case where the device not only does its job, but also becomes a stylish element of the interior. Its design really appeals to young people: concise, modern, without unnecessary details. It looks expensive and minimalistic, which is appreciated today.
In terms of sound, the amplifier offers an honest and dynamic character. It does not try to embellish the music, but delivers it in its pure form, which will appeal to those who appreciate naturalness. With it, your old records or digital tracks will sound fresh and energetic.
As a result, the Stereo Box DS2 is an excellent choice for those looking for a modern and stylish amplifier without frills, but with high-quality sound. It will fit perfectly into the life of a young music lover who appreciates both technology and design.
