Pro-Ject Phono Box Phono Stage (Silver)

The Pro-Ject Phono Box is the entry point to Pro-Ject's dedicated phono stage lineup, offering both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) compatibility in a compact metal enclosure. A rear-panel switch selects between MM and MC operation, adjusting gain from 40dB to 60dB respectively to suit the output of the connected cartridge.

Circuit Design

Inside, the Phono Box employs low-noise integrated circuits with precise RIAA equalisation circuitry, achieving accuracy within ±0.5dB across the full 20Hz–20kHz band. Total harmonic distortion measures 0.01% in MM mode and 0.05% in MC mode, while the noise floor sits at 94dBA (MM) and 75dBA (MC). Maximum output voltage is 9.5V at 1kHz, providing ample headroom for connection to any line-level input.

Connectivity & Construction

A single pair of gold-plated RCA inputs connects to the turntable, with a fixed RCA output pair feeding the amplifier. Input impedance is set at 47kΩ with 120pF capacitance for MM cartridges, switching to 100Ω with 120pF for MC types. The full metal casework shields the sensitive phono circuitry from electromagnetic interference, and an external 18V DC power supply keeps the transformer and its associated noise outside the signal path.

Range Position

The Phono Box sits below the Phono Box E and Phono Box S2 in Pro-Ject's phono stage hierarchy. Where higher models in the range such as the S2 and DS2 offer additional features and refined circuit designs, the Phono Box focuses on simplicity: connect, switch, and play. It is designed for systems where a dedicated phono input is absent and straightforward MM or MC amplification is all that is needed.