The Pro-Ject Phono Box E sits at the entry point of Pro-Ject’s phono stage lineup, providing a straightforward way to connect a turntable with a Moving Magnet cartridge to any line-level input. It is designed for systems that lack a dedicated phono input — connecting between the turntable and an AUX or CD input on the amplifier.
Circuit Design
The Phono Box E uses surface-mount device (SMD) construction throughout, selected for its ability to keep signal paths short and minimise parasitic interference. Pro-Ject specifies low-noise components across the signal chain, delivering a noise floor of 88 dB (A-weighted) and total harmonic distortion below 0.05%. RIAA equalisation accuracy is held within ±0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Shielding & Power
Internal metal shielding protects the circuit from radio-frequency and electromagnetic interference. Power is supplied by an external 18 V DC adapter, keeping the mains transformer and its associated magnetic field away from the audio circuitry. Operating current draw is just 20 mA, with standby consumption under 1 watt.
Connectivity
A single pair of gold-plated RCA input sockets accepts the turntable signal, and a matching pair of gold-plated RCA output sockets feeds the amplifier. The 40 dB of gain brings a typical 5 mV cartridge output up to approximately 500 mV at 1 kHz — a standard line level.
Compact Form Factor
At just 120 × 32 × 106 mm and 269 g (excluding the power supply), the Phono Box E is small enough to sit directly beside the turntable, keeping the cable run from cartridge to phono stage as short as possible.