Pro-Ject CD Box E Black

The Pro-Ject CD Box E is the entry point to Pro-Ject Audio Systems’ Box Design range of CD players, sitting below the CD Box S3 in the lineup. Where the S3 steps up to a PCM5102 DAC and full-aluminium casework, the CD Box E delivers the same core engineering philosophy — bit-accurate Red Book playback from a dedicated CD transport — at a more accessible price. It shares the compact 206 mm-wide form factor that defines the Box Design series, making it easy to integrate alongside other Pro-Ject components.

Construction

The front panel is machined from brushed and anodised aluminium, matching the finish quality of the higher-tier S, DS and RS players. Behind it, a rigid metal-sheet chassis provides mechanical stability and electromagnetic shielding. The combination is an intentional callback to the original CD Box, which used the same aluminium-and-metal construction. Physical controls are kept simple: four aluminium transport buttons, a rotary control, and a compact display window on the right-hand side. A slot-in disc mechanism eliminates the need for a tray, keeping the front panel clean and reducing mechanical complexity.

Drive and DAC

Inside, a true Red Book CD-DA drive sits in a shock-proof mounting to isolate it from external vibration. The MS8413 DAC handles digital-to-analogue conversion with a low-jitter, multi-bit delta-sigma architecture supporting up to 24-bit/192 kHz processing. Together, the drive and DAC architecture enable 1:1 bit-accurate CD playback — the disc’s data is read and converted without resampling or alteration. Pro-Ject measures the analogue output at 0.04% THD at 1 kHz, with a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz (−0.2 dB) and channel separation exceeding 65 dB.

Output Stage

The analogue output is a single RCA stereo pair delivering 1.8 Vrms at 0 dBFS, fed through a low-impedance output buffer designed to minimise the influence of downstream interconnect cables on the signal. For systems with a dedicated external DAC, a coaxial S/PDIF digital output carries the raw digital stream, allowing the CD Box E to function purely as a transport.

Power and Practicalities

The CD Box E runs from an external 12 V/2 A DC power supply, drawing between 250 mA and 1500 mA during operation and less than 0.5 W in standby. An infrared remote control is included. The unit weighs just 1430 g without its power supply and measures 206 × 55 × 153 mm (160 mm deep with rear sockets), making it one of the most compact standalone CD players available.