Pro-Ject DAC Box DS DAC

On top of being a world-renowned special in vinyl turntables, Austrian brand Pro-Ject has also developed an entire range of products dedicated to digital-to-analogue conversion under the name Box Design, the most comprehensive of which is the DAC Box DS. For example, unlike the DAC Box S FL, the DAC Box DS has a mini USB input. And the differences between the two products don’t end there. The resolution of the DAC Box DS’s digital inputs (coaxial, optical and USB) can reach 24 bits/192 kHz, as opposed to the DAC Box S FL’s 16 bits/48 kHz. On the front panel of the DAC Box DS is a large blue display showing the source and filter selected, as well as the sampling rate of the source being played. The DAC Box S FL does not offer this feature.

The DAC Box DS converter has an asynchronous USB input (mini USB Audio 2.0), as well as two SPDIF inputs, a coaxial RCA input and an optical input. These inputs accept signals of up to 24 bits/192 kHz. The RCA inputs are gold-plated. It uses a Texas Instruments PCM1792 converter. The digital S/PDIF coaxial and optical inputs use a Logic CS8416 (24 bits/192 kHz) circuit.

The USB interface uses a SCMS USB3318 circuit. This device also uses famous XMOS circuit featuring two quartz oscillators, one 24.576 MHz oscillator for frequencies of 48 kHz and its multiples, and one 11.286 MHz oscillator for frequencies of 44.1 kHz and its multiples. The analogue outputs are in RCA format so that they can be connected to an amplifier.

On the front panel is an On/Off button, as well as two other buttons for selecting your required input and filter respectively. The Pro-Ject DAC Box DS is an extremely well-made product that features many surface-mounted components. The Pro-Ject DAC Box DS delivers an ultra precise sound and an excellent dynamic range.