Project Head Box DS2 B

Project Head Box DS2 B

The Head Box DS2 B is a fully balanced headphone amplifier designed to get the very best performance from any high-end headphone, marking a real step-up in performance compared to previous models.

While the headphone market has improved notably in recent years, with many technical advances that have improved the sound ability of models across the price spectrum, headphone amplifiers have largely lagged behind, save for a few high-end designs. The Head Box DS2 B enters as an affordable high-end offering, promising to drive almost any set of headphones.

The high maximum output of the Head Box DS2 B (1100mW into 33Ω) means it will drive almost anything, even the more complicated planar magnetic designs. However, to ensure wide compatibility there are three different current settings and four different gain settings available on the front panel. There’s also the option to connect both balanced (4-Pin XLR) and unbalanced (6.3mm jack) headphone cables.

Internally the Head Box DS2 B is laid out in dual-mono configuration, complete with a phase inverter to convert any unbalanced signal to a balanced one immediately at the input stage. For accurate reproduction, the premium TPA6120A2 amplifier chip from Texas Instruments has been used. The result is clear and accurate, yet inviting, soundstage with rich details and a silent noise floor.

Who is Project?

It's no secret that ProJect design and engineer some of the most critically acclaimed turntables and turntable accessories in the market. In an effort to prove themselves in other aspects of hifi, ProJect have released their 'Box Design' series; a collective of amplifiers, CD players, iPod docks and more - all of which exist in astonishingly compact cabinets. These compact units can be combined with dedicated shelf cabinets to form a tidy mini-system appearance while retaining the quality and 'ease-of-upgrade' of hifi separates.