Pro-Ject CD Box E CD Player

A Proper CD Player, Not an Afterthought

The Pro-Ject CD Box E CD Player is the entry point to Pro-Ject's Box range for CD, an ultra-compact player built around a true Red-Book CD drive and a quality DAC. It is made for one job, playing your CDs properly, and it does that better than any DVD or Blu-ray player pressed into service.

Why You'll Love It

• Built for CD, nothing else. A dedicated Red-Book CD drive in shock-proof mounting reads discs bit for bit, so you hear exactly what is on the disc, unlike a universal player that treats CD as an afterthought.
• A DAC that does the disc justice. A low-jitter 24-bit/192 kHz multi-bit delta-sigma DAC delivers fine detail and a clean, natural sound from every CD.
• Room to grow. A coaxial S/PDIF output lets you add an external DAC down the track, so the CD Box E can grow with your system rather than cap it.

Under the Hood

• Dedicated transport. A true Red-Book CD drive in shock-proof mounting for 1:1 bit-accurate playback.
• Quality conversion. A low-jitter 24-bit/192 kHz multi-bit delta-sigma DAC, with an output buffer running very low output impedance to shrug off cable effects.
• Solid build. A brushed and anodised aluminium front panel on a rigid metal chassis that shields the electronics from mechanical and electromagnetic interference.

CHT Insider Verdict

CD is far from dead, and a dedicated player like the CD Box E is the way to hear discs at their best. It is a genuine hi-fi component in a tiny footprint, matching the rest of Pro-Ject's Box range in both looks and sound. For anyone still spinning silver discs, or rediscovering a collection, it is an easy, affordable way to do it properly.

Pro Tip: The coaxial output is the CD Box E's hidden upgrade path. Run it into an external DAC and you can lift the sound well beyond the built-in converter while keeping the same transport, so you are never boxed in as your system improves.