Интегральные усилители — Pro-Ject Stereo Box E

The Stereo Box E from Pro-Ject Audio Systems is an entry integrated amplifier that pairs a fully analogue preamplifier with a high-resolution DAC, a phono input and Bluetooth reception. The heavy-duty steel chassis shields the electronics from outside interference and is faced with brushed aluminium, either black or silver, with matching control buttons and gold-plated RCA connectors. Pro-Ject presents it as a complete Hi-Fi solution at a low price. The design is modular, and Pro-Ject names the CD Box E and Tuner Box S3 DAB+ as compatible units for building a larger modular system. Seven source connections are counted in total.

Key specs that matter

Pro-Ject rates output at 2 x 21 W into 8 ohms and 2 x 40 W into 4 ohms at 1% THD. Distortion is under 0.12% at 5 W into 4 ohms, gain is 25 dB, and S/N reaches 90 dB A-weighted. Channel separation measures 60 dB at 1 kHz, and frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz stays within -0.3 dB and -2.5 dB into 4 ohms. The case is 206 mm wide, 51 mm high and 115 mm deep, or 186 mm with sockets, and weighs 2 kg excluding the external power supply.

Engineering and use context

Digital sources connect through two optical S/PDIF inputs and one coaxial S/PDIF input, all handled by the built-in converter. Analogue connections are one RCA line input and one 3.5 mm jack, and the phono input on RCA sockets works with MM and MI types as well as high output MC designs. Bluetooth 5.0 supports aptX, aptX HD and the A2DP profile. A motor-driven volume control sits in the analogue preamplifier section. The 6.3 mm headphone jack mutes the speaker outputs automatically when a plug is inserted, and a single RCA socket feeds a subwoofer. A USB-C port supplies power to a modern streamer, so a small network player can be run from the amplifier itself. Loudspeakers connect with banana plugs of 4 mm, spades or stripped wire. An external 20 V, 3 A DC supply works on 100 to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz, and standby consumption is below 0.5 W.

Pairing

With inputs for a turntable, a TV or CD player over optical or coaxial links, and a phone over Bluetooth, the unit can anchor a compact setup. The subwoofer output allows compact loudspeakers to be supported by an active bass unit, and the USB-C port can feed a streaming box placed next to the amplifier.

Alternatives

Pro-Ject also makes the Stereo Box DS3, a larger integrated amplifier rated at 80 W per channel into 8 ohms whose phono stage takes moving magnet and moving coil pickups.