Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Fuss-free machine to play CDs
- Three digital output options (Optical, coaxial, and AES/EBU)
- Great looks and build quality (aluminium-clad with optional wood side panels)
Product Considerations
- Only plays Red Book discs
- No CD-Text function
- Remote control is small and plasticky
- There could be better ways to play back digital formats
Takeaway: The DS2T performs its intended function for those still wanting a disc spinner. It provides a simple way to play CDs for those who prefer physical media.
All
CD Box DS2 T
reviews
Manufacturer details
Supports Red Book CD-DA
Digital outputs 1 x co-axial (S/PDIF)
1 x optical (TOSlink)
1 x XLR (AES/EBU)
Power supply 9V/2A DC; 220 - 240V, 50Hz
Standby power consumption < 1 Watt
Dimensions W x H x D 206 x 71 x 199 mm, incl sockets (Alu)
240 x 72 x 199 mm, incl sockets (Wood)
Weight 1620 g (Alu), without power supply
2070 g (Wood), without power supply
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Pro-Ject offers a range of turntables and components that focus on simple setup and ease of use, often arriving pre-configured, making them particularly appealing to beginners.
- They prioritize sonic performance, often incorporating higher-end components like carbon fiber tonearms and Ortofon cartridges, even in their more affordable models.
- Pro-Ject is known for its all-in-one audio systems that combine a turntable, amplifier, and receiver into a single unit, aiming to provide component-like sound quality in a smaller, more convenient package.
Select products
A2
- Positioning: The entry-level, fully automatic turntable designed for ease of use and convenience.
- Description: Offers a fully automatic operation with a sub-chassis design that isolates the tonearm and platter from vibrations, making it ideal for small spaces where speakers are close to the turntable. Unlike the more manual and high-end models like the Signature series, focuses on user-friendly features and affordability, making it suitable for those with a limited budget who still want quality sound.
The Classic Reference
- Positioning: Positioned as a mid-range turntable, combines traditional design with modern technology.
- Description: Features a high-end EVO 9 AS HG tonearm and a precision motor control system, providing excellent sound quality with a touch of luxury. It offers more advanced features compared to the A2, such as a balanced XLR output.
RPM 10 Carbon
- Positioning: A high-end turntable known for its innovative design and superior sound quality.
- Description: With its carbon fiber chassis and 10" Evo tonearm, delivers exceptional sound clarity and stability. It stands out from the Classic Reference with its advanced materials and design.
Signature 10
- Positioning: A premium turntable that combines mass-loading with magnetically-floating principles for high-end audio performance.
- Description: Features a 10" single-pivot tonearm and a magnetically decoupled platter, providing a resonance-free listening experience. It offers more precise adjustments and a higher level of performance compared to the RPM 10 Carbon.
Signature 12.2
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Pro-Ject's turntable lineup.
- Description: Boasts a groundbreaking 12" 3-point pivot tonearm and a flywheel belt drive system, ensuring the most accurate and stable playback. It surpasses the Signature 10 with its larger tonearm and enhanced stability.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded with a passion for analog audio reproduction. Our very first product, introduced in 1991, was a record player – a time when the entire industry was turning its back on vinyl. We didn’t jump on the bandwagon when vinyl became hip – we were instrumental in bringing vinyl back.
We manufacture – not only assemble – 95% of our products in the EU. Raw materials come in – finished products leave the factories. Since we make everything ourselves, we are able offer a 25 year spare part availability!
Today, we offer one of the broadest ranges of high-fidelity products in the world, including turntables, CD players, DACs, streamers, phono preamps, amplifiers, speakers, and a variety of accessories designed to enhance your system and vinyl care.
What's your approach to customer support?
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has a worldwide network of dealers and distributors. We ensure that our team members are highly knowledgeable in the field of high-fidelity audio setup and repairs. In the event of a need for support, the first point of contact is the local dealer. If the dealer cannot handle the problem, the second tier is the distributor in the respective country. By handling as many problems as possible locally, we can ensure the quickest and smoothest resolution.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Aside from one of the audio industry’s widest range of high-fidelity products, Pro-Ject also produces limited runs of high-quality vinyl records. 7Ray’s Jazzy Zoetrope is a double album of fine Jazz standards played by 7Ray and his quartet. One of the two records was recorded live at our headquarters in the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria. We produced the whole album in AAA for the highest analog purity. Here’s a link to the records we offer, which double as fine reference recordings across multiple musical genres.
What other products pair best with yours?
Used
Pro-Ject
What if you spend more?
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Acts as both a high-quality CD player and a high-resolution network audio playback source, offering flexibility for different digital music sources
- Offers a clear and detailed sound quality due to its ESS Sabre DAC and custom-designed Marantz Musical Digital Filters
- The design is sleek and classy, complementing the Marantz MODEL 50 amplifier
- Supports multiple streaming services via HEOS, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth, making it easy to access music from various platforms
- Features extensive connectivity options, including digital inputs (Toslink, Coaxial, USB A & B), network access (Ethernet, Wi-Fi), and HDMI ARC for TV audio
Product Considerations
- HEOS platform is functional, but can feel clunky compared to other streaming platforms, and lacks support for Chromecast
- Does not support SACD playback
- The BT connection only supports the SBC codec, even though not stated on the panel
- Is a little lighter than expected tonally, and has a fraction less bass response
- It is occasionally slow to respond to commands
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Marantz SACD 30n: Lacks SACD playback and has simpler internal technology, but is more affordable and includes HDMI ARC, the sound quality between them is only slightly different
- Vs. Primare CD15 Prisma: Primare relies on Chromecast or AirPlay 2 for streaming, lacks USB-B
Takeaway: The Marantz CD 50n is a versatile and great-sounding player that offers a combination of CD playback and modern streaming features, fitting nicely into a modern hifi setup. It can be a great choice for those who still enjoy CDs, but also want the convenience of network streaming.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Rotel DT-6000 DAC Transport celebrates 60-Years of performance synonymous with the brands Japanese heritage. PC-USB, Optical, Coaxial, and included tray loading CD Player provide the ultimate flexibility for your favorite sources rendering the audio with unprecedented detail and immersive sound stage.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Direct, revealing sound signature
- Well-engineered, with a silent, spring-floating CD mechanism and quality parts
- Versatile, handling up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256 audio via USB-B and S/PDIF inputs
- Precisely constructed
- Premium ESS Sabre 8-Channel ES9028PRO DAC produces a high-quality sound, expansive soundstage with detail retrieval and noise reduction
Product Considerations
- No digital output
- A CD-only player, it does not play SACD discs
- Lacks network streaming capabilities
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The DAC section is preferred over the RA-6000's, offering more clarity, image depth, dynamics, and life to the music
- The sound reminds the reviewer of Michi X3 integrated
Takeaway: It's a great CD player and DAC transport, it can bring out the best in your CD collection or act as a high quality DAC for computer based audio. It's a great way to add high-fidelity digital playback to a hifi system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- High-quality CD transport that is nice to use
- Offers a USB hub function with two USB inputs and USB output, allowing connection of multiple digital devices
- Can improve the sound of DACs, especially those without galvanic isolation, by cleaning up the USB signal from the source
Product Considerations
- The combined stop/eject button can be difficult to use and takes getting used to
- There have been some quirks with the unit, such as it freezing up sometimes when turning it off and on, and it is more responsive to leave it powered on instead
- The track number displayed doesn't update until the CD transport starts reading the new track
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The URD has a smaller footprint, more USB connectivity (two inputs and a USB output), and a higher bit rate than the Audiolab 7000 CDT
- CD transport in the URD provides better sound quality than streaming
- There is a virtually insignificant difference between playing a CD on the URD and playing a securely ripped local copy of the same CD on a computer
Takeaway: The Schiit Urd offers great sound and also acts as a USB hub for connecting other digital sources, making it a CD transport with unique features. It is a versatile device that can enhance one's listening experience with CDs and digital files.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Balanced reproduction
- Great CD transport
- Sturdy build quality
- Dynamic sound with plenty of punch and detail
- Excels in the bass range, providing a powerful, extended, and dynamic low-end
Product Considerations
- The remote control is a 'button fest'
- The design is rather plain
- Harmonic richness of instruments like cymbals and horns can be somewhat lacking
- The soundstage isn't very large, and the contours aren't sharp
- The manufacturing, finish, and cabinet are of poor quality
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Atoll CD100 has nothing to share sonically with the Technics, because the French player's sound is better
- The CD100 makes things that the Rega Saturn does for the money
- The Naim CD 555 is better, but the Atoll CD100 provides a similar feel
Takeaway: The Atoll CD100 Evolution is a solid CD player that delivers a potent sound and offers a balanced audio experience. It's built to last and is a great way to enjoy a CD collection.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Full, detailed, and dynamic presentation with great spaciousness, definition, and imaging
- Nice internal DAC that can be used in analog, or as a digital transport
- Dedicated CD-only design for optimal performance
- Neat design that's very easy to use
- Compact form factor, being almost portable
- Affordable
Product Considerations
- Remote is small and plasticky
- Slot-load design might be a concern if a disc gets stuck
- Lacks bass impact and can sound a little muddled at times
- No optical digital output
- Stop button occasionally needs to be double-tapped to eject a disc
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rotel CD11 Tribute: A relatively even competitor
- Vs Denon DCD-900NE: The Denon adds support for burned CDs containing MP3, WMA, and AAC files, and has a USB Type A port that supports playback of hi-rez files
- Vs Audiolab 6000CDT: Both rely on a slot-load drive that accepts store-bought CDs only, without SACD, DVD-A, burned CDs, or HDCD
- Vs Rotel CD ELF: The Rotel CD ELF has a better transient response and is a little bit more clean in voices and instruments reproductions
- Vs Older Denon CD player: The Pro-Ject added subtle details underscoring songs
Takeaway: The Pro-Ject CD Box S3 is a compact and affordable CD player that delivers detailed and dynamic sound. It's easy to use and provides a great way to rediscover a CD collection.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sounds good as a CD player
- Tonally, sounds more fleshed out with more body to the sound compared to some other players
- Soundstage is huge—bigger and wider—compared to the S3 model
- The display is very large and easy to read
- Minimalist and ultra clean look
Product Considerations
- Does not have an internal power supply and instead uses an external wall wart switching power supply
- The remote control is very small and plastic
- There was an issue with the remote control, being able to control the CD player with another remote control
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Project S3, the DS3 soundstage is huge, bigger, and wider, bass is solid and deep, and instruments and voices are more free to sing
Takeaway: The Project Audio CD Box DS3 is a terrific CD player that sounds good and will make music more fun to listen to. An even better sound can be achieved by adding an external DAC.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive weight and solid feel as a full-sized CD player
- Sleek, modern design
- Disc tray opens and closes quietly, implying quality
- Sound is nice and well-rounded, with great detail and covering the whole frequency range nicely
- Excellent build quality and design
Product Considerations
- Track access speed is not quite as fast as older models
- May trick one into thinking it's a seriously premium product, and then, just perhaps, end up disappointed
- SACD playback capability is not included
- Does not have digital inputs to connect a digital source
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Outperformed the Rotel CD11 Tribute when it came to features and design, but the Rotel's output stage felt pretty comparable
Takeaway: The Marantz CD 60 is a well-engineered player designed to get the best from a CD collection, and it has a simple and luxurious sound. It is a great buy for someone who wants to keep enjoying their CDs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Compact form factor with a solid aluminum chassis
- Fast CD reading due to the Precision Access Servo System (P.A.S.S.)
- Beefy headphone output, rated at up to 1W x 2 into 32Ω
- Top-loading design offers a unique and enjoyable user experience reminiscent of turntables
- Includes a wide range of features such as a USB-DAC interface, balanced outputs, and Bluetooth connectivity
Product Considerations
- May lean too bright in some systems, with a slight hint of harshness in the treble
- Headphone output is located on the rear, which may be inconvenient for some users
- The two-piece lid and magnetic puck system for top-loading can be clunky, and the puck is easy to lose
- Some reviewers experienced issues with the unit not playing less than perfect CDs
- Bluetooth receiver might be of little value to some, and a potential source of noise
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rotel CD-11 MKII: PL200 is a little bit punchier and peppier
- Vs EverSolo DMP-A6: PL200 has better high frequency refinement and imaging within the soundstage, though the DMP-A6 has a wider soundstage
- Vs Arcam CD5: PL200 has better bass definition, transient snap and lockdown imaging
- Vs Cambridge Audio CXN-100: PL200 is similar in tonality to the Cambridge Audio streamer
- Vs Marantz CD-60: PL200 renders more information and offers more clarity
Takeaway: The SMSL PL200 is a versatile and well-built CD player with a range of modern features, making it a good option for audiophiles looking for a combination of retro design and modern functionality. It provides excellent sound quality and multiple connectivity options for various audio setups.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clear and detailed sound with good separation and transparency
- Sleek, fuss-free design with robust construction
- Quality slot-loading CD mechanism that operates smoothly and reliably
- 24-bit Delta-Sigma dual differential DAC with 8x oversampling for excellent data recovery
- Coaxial and optical digital outputs, as well as analog RCA outputs
Product Considerations
- Bright blue display's viewing angles could be better
- Remote control has an odd layout for the transport controls
- In terms of its ability to portray harmonics, it loses out to better DACs
- Lacks digital inputs and streaming functions
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Marantz CD6006 UK, the M2sCD offers a leveled up performance
- Compared to the Cyrus CDi, the Cyrus CDi offers a harder edge and extra bite
- The M2sCD is on par with the Audiolab
Takeaway: The Musical Fidelity M2sCD is a well-built CD player that delivers a refined and enjoyable listening experience. Its clear and detailed sound, combined with its sleek design, makes it a good choice for CD listeners.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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