Pro-Ject’s Flagship CD Player Is Primed for New-Age Audiophiles

The renowned hi-fi company isn’t giving up on physical media. Far from it.

Close-up of a black turntable with a yellow CD labeled "Hermann Nitsch Albertina Quartett" secured by a Pro-Ject Audio Systems anti-resonance clamp.

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By Tucker Bowe

Published December 17, 2025

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It’s a good time to be a CD fan, as the tail end of 2025 has seen an influx of CD players hitting the market.

There have been several modern Discmans, such as the Fiio DM15 R2R ($270) or Shanling EC Zero AKM ($319), which are portable and cater to the more enthusiast crowd.

For more serious audiophiles, several CD transports have also been released, such as the Teac PD-507T ($1,700) and the Quad 3CDT ($1,099), as well, allowing them to add high-resolution CD playback to their home hi-fi systems.

And now Pro-Ject, the respected Austrian audio manufacturer (and turntable specialist), is the latest to throw its hat in the ring.

Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Tube

Silver CD player with digital display showing track and time, featuring control buttons and dual circular components on top. — The large LCD screen on the front panel shows relevant information such as the artist and song title.

A reference-grade CD player

The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Tube is the newest addition to the brand’s RS2 series of reference hi-fi components. It’s essentially an updated version of its previous flagship CD transport, CD Box RS2 T, but Pro-Ject has given the new model quite the upgrades.

Most notably, the CD Box RS2 Tube adds a built-in DAC (Texas Instruments PCM1796), so it functions as a full-fledged CD player — no external DAC required — that can be connected directly to an amplifier and more easily integrated into an existing hi-fi system.

Close-up of a black and white circular mechanical component with textured edges on a dark surface. — The CD Box RS2 Tube features a top-loading CD drive with an aluminium cover plate and magnetic puc.

As its name suggests, the other major upgrade is that Pro-Ject integrated the CD player with a fully balanced tube output stage featuring two premium E88CC tubes.

According to the brand, the tubes enrich “the audio signal with the warmth, fluidity, and natural harmonic structure that only real vacuum tubes can provide.” This results in a warmer, more analog sound than you’d get through typical digital playback.

Silver audio device with multiple output ports including XLR, optical, coaxial, and power input on a black panel. — On the rear panel, there are analog (RCA and XLR) and digital (optical and coaxial) outputs.

Other upgrades include both single-ended RCA and fully balanced XLR outputs, allowing the CD Box RS2 Tube to work with a variety of systems. There are also Toslink optical and coaxial digital outputs, in case you want to use an external DAC.

Pro-Ject has equipped its new flagship CD player with other high-end components — such as Suos’s high-precision drive mechanism and its disc-tracking and error-correction technologies — to ensure high-quality playback.

Hand holding a slim silver remote control with black buttons and a circular power button at the top. — As an additional way to control playback, it comes with an aluminum IP remote.

Price and availability

Unfortunately for US-based fans of Pro-Ject, the CD Box RS2 Tube is currently only available in the UK and Europe, with no US release date or price just yet. It costs £1,749 or €1,900.

It comes in two finishes: silver or black.

Black CD player with digital display showing track and time, featuring two circular speakers on top.

Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Tube

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About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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