- Pro-Project launching new valve-based Pre-matchers: a compact, a full size
- Interchangeable valves and wide support for MM and MC Square pieces
- £ 240 and £ 529 respectively
Pro-Project has announced two new phono amplifiers, the pipe box E and the S3 B pipe box.
The pipe box E is based on the well -received pipe box S2, and it is made with more affordable components to run the price down: Where the S2 pipe box currently trades for about £ 339 in the UK, Tube Box E is £ 240 (about $ 325 / AU $ 500).
If you’ve invested in an affordable option among the best turntable, but now you might think, you want to start playing with the sound – and especially adding the heat from pipe amplifiers to your system – this looks really tempting to me.
The S3 B pipe box is a higher specification pre-ampathy, but it is still relatively affordable to £ 529 (about $ 715 / AU $ 1,100).
Pro-projects Pipe Box E and Pipe Box S3 B: Key Functions
Pro-Lect Tube Box E rises a fully discreet, double mono-design in its very compact case and comes with interchangeable valves, which means you can swap them out to change the sonic properties or just renew them when they eventually wear out.
The pipe box E supports a wide range of moving magnet and moving spiral cartridges with adjustable reinforcement settings on the front of the device and both capacitance and impedance setting via dip switches on the underside of the preamp.
Pro-Project says that the pipe box E delivers “high-end qualities at a price of entry-level” and when I get the name, I assume it is a perfect for Pro-Jum Jukebox E1 that I underwent, or the newer Pro-Project Juke Box E1.2, which was recently revealed-both missing a built-in fono scene.
The more expensive, higher specification pipe box S3 B is also valve -based and again the valves can be replaced. The Tube Box S3 B has a fully symmetrical and discreet reinforcement stage, designed to be paired with a balanced clear turntable via its 5-pole mini-XLR input.
It is larger than the pipe box E, so all adjustments are on the front panel with reinforcement adjustable from 40-65DB, more options for capacitance and impedance and the ability to connect two turntable at one time: an unbalanced and a balanced, with the pipe box S3 B, remembering the settings for each and remembering them when you switch.
Both models are for sale in the UK from August 2025-I would expect an American launch to follow shortly after, based on Pro-Proje’s recent history, with prices announced closer to the time (depending on the current duty rates).
