Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced Phono Preamplifier (PJ97829283)

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B balanced phono preamplifier for MM & MC cartridges

The Phono Box S3 B is a balanced audiophile phono preamp that brings true analog tube warmth to your vinyl playback. It reduces noise by offering a fully balanced signal path with 5-pin mini XLR input and XLR output, in addition to regular RCA. Handmade in Europe.

What is the benefit of a balanced signal path?

Connect a turntable’s 5-pin mini XLR output to the S3 B, and the signal path remains balanced all the way to the preamp’s XLR outputs. Because the two halves of the audio signal carry equal and opposite voltages, any noise picked up along the cable is cancelled out. The result is a higher signal-to-noise ratio, free of hum and interference sometimes heard with standard single-ended RCA connections.

Fine-tune gain and loading to match any cartridge

The S3 B supports both MM & MC cartridges. It offers four gain settings—40 dB, 45 dB, 60 dB, and 65 dB. Input impedance switches span 10 Ω to 47 kΩ, while capacitance can be set to 50, 150, 300, or 400 pF. This allows you to adjust your preamp for a wide variety of cartridges.  

Connect two turntables simultaneously

A front-panel selector toggles between the balanced 5-pin input and a standard RCA input. The Phono Box S3 B remembers the gain, impedance, and capacitance settings for each input. This means you can connect a different turntable to each input and switch between them with the push of a button. 

Audiophile-grade engineering

This phono preamp comes with features to ensure the best sound quality. Vinyl playback sometimes produces a low end rumble and the subsonic filter eliminates these. The robust aluminum chassis shields against electrical interference. The circuitry is fully discrete, with an amplifier section that uses no integrated circuits.

Frequently asked questions

• How much space does the S3 B need on a shelf?

  Its footprint is 206 mm wide by 153 mm deep, and it stands only 55 mm tall.

• Can it drive long cable runs to a distant amplifier?

  The balanced XLR outputs on the Phono Box S3 B are able to handle longer cable runs because balanced cables cancel the noise artifacts that can be picked up by single-ended cables. 

Add the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B to your cart today and hear the difference a balanced signal path can make to your vinyl collection. Want expert help pairing it with the a cartridge or turntable? Call or visit Gibbys Electronic Supermarket and speak with an audio specialist.