Pro-Ject CD Box E

The CD Box E is a reduced-format compact disc player, designed by Pro-Ject to extend downwards a range previously occupied by the S, DS and RS models. It features the brushed and anodised aluminium fascia of these models, paired with a rigid sheet-metal chassis that protects the mechanism from external mechanical and electromagnetic interference. The overall design carries forward the spirit of the original CD Box, already built on this pairing of aluminium fascia and metal casing.

This is a fully dedicated CD player, not a multi-purpose device: the mechanism is a genuine Red Book transport, mounted on a shock-absorbing support that limits the transmission of vibrations to the reading assembly. This specialisation explains why a dedicated player often does greater justice to a stereo CD than a DVD or Blu-ray player. On the conversion side, the low-jitter multibit delta-sigma architecture accepts signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz and aims for disc playback with 1:1 bit accuracy, meaning no alteration of the recorded stream.

The output stage relies on a very low impedance buffer. In practice, the connection to the amplifier becomes less sensitive to the nature and length of the interconnect cables, simplifying integration into an existing setup. The frequency response is stated as 20 Hz to 20 kHz at -0.2 dB, with a total harmonic distortion of 0.04% at 1 kHz at the analogue output.

A coaxial S/PDIF digital output completes the unit. It allows the CD Box E to be used as a simple transport, leaving conversion to an external DAC, thereby leaving the door open to a gradual system upgrade without changing the player.

With dimensions of 206 x 55 x 153 mm, 160 mm deep including connectors, and a weight of 1430 g without its power supply, the unit is aimed at compact hi-fi systems, desktop or second-room installations, as well as listeners who have kept a physical CD collection and want to enjoy it without setting aside a large rack.