Pro-Ject DAC Box E Black

The DAC Box E sits at the entry point of Pro-Ject's extensive Box Design electronics range, offering a straightforward and honest route into outboard digital-to-analogue conversion. Designed and engineered in Austria, the DAC Box E occupies the same carefully considered product family as the Phono Box E and Stereo Box E, sharing the same compact chassis philosophy and the same commitment to purposeful engineering at an accessible price. For listeners who have exhausted the built-in DACs in their televisions, set-top boxes, CD players, or games consoles, the DAC Box E provides a meaningful and audible step forward without demanding a significant financial outlay.

Engineering & Design Philosophy

Pro-Ject's Box Design range is built around the principle that good sound does not require complexity or bulk. The DAC Box E embodies this outlook entirely. Its compact aluminium-clad enclosure measures just 120 × 32 × 100 mm, making it small enough to sit immediately beside a source component or tuck discreetly into an existing equipment rack. Internal metal shielding keeps RF and electromagnetic interference away from the signal path, while the use of surface-mount device (SMD) circuitry throughout allows for tight component tolerances, short signal paths, and repeatable build quality. The design is deliberately linear, with a low output impedance that minimises the influence of downstream cabling and amplifier input characteristics on the audible result.

At the heart of the DAC Box E is the Cirrus Logic CS4344 digital-to-analogue converter chip, a well-regarded and proven device chosen for its clean conversion characteristics and compatibility with high-resolution PCM audio. The analogue output stage is built around low-noise components selected specifically to preserve the quiet noise floor that the CS4344 is capable of delivering. Gold-plated RCA output sockets are fitted as standard, ensuring a corrosion-resistant, low-impedance connection to the preamplifier or integrated amplifier.

Inputs & Connectivity

The DAC Box E accepts two digital S/PDIF inputs: one coaxial input via a standard RCA socket, and one optical input via a TOSLINK connector. Both inputs are compatible with PCM stereo audio; the unit does not process multi-channel or DSD signals, keeping the signal chain straightforward and well optimised for its intended purpose. The coaxial input supports sample rates up to 192 kHz, whilst the optical input supports up to 96 kHz — a distinction that reflects the physical bandwidth limitations of the optical interface rather than any restriction of the converter itself. Standard sample rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are fully supported on both inputs, ensuring compatibility with CD, streaming, broadcast, and DVD audio sources alike.

The single pair of gold-plated RCA analogue output sockets delivers a line-level output of 0.7 Vrms, suitable for connection to the auxiliary or line input of any conventional integrated amplifier or preamplifier. There is no headphone output on this model; for those requiring a dedicated headphone stage, Pro-Ject's Head Box range provides that capability.

Power Supply

The DAC Box E is supplied with a dedicated outboard linear power supply, rated at 18 V / 500 mA DC. Keeping the power supply external to the main chassis is a deliberate engineering choice: it removes a significant source of electrical noise from the interior of the unit, contributing to the low noise floor that characterises the DAC Box E's performance. Power consumption during normal operation is below 200 mA DC, and standby consumption is rated at under 1 W.

Position in the Pro-Ject DAC Range

The DAC Box E is the entry-level model in Pro-Ject's DAC Box series. Above it sit models such as the DAC Box S2+, which introduces USB connectivity and higher-specification converter circuitry, and the DAC Box DS2 Ultra, which represents the reference point of the range with a fully balanced architecture and audiophile-grade components throughout. The DAC Box E is therefore the logical first step for listeners new to outboard conversion, or for those seeking a second DAC for a secondary system. Its combination of simplicity, build quality, and honest performance makes it one of the more credible budget options in the current UK market.