Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital - "SoC" (and "TiC"*) Review & Measurements

True enough, but given there's no audible (at least that I can discern), and barely any measurable, difference driving the Pre Box S2 via anything than a direct USB connection (especially if you don't use USB power), you don't need a Wyrd (unless you have port-power issues, which you can avoid with the included PSU anyway) or an iUSB 3.0 in the first place.

And if you spend $400 on something like the iUSB 3.0 for a $400 DAC well, I think you've got much bigger issues to worry about than USB-nervosa-bogeymen.

 

Well forgot to mention iFi now has a baby brother Nano iUSB for $199 so there is a lower cost option close to Eitr price sorry for omission.

 

It's still pointless for the DAC in question here.

The most attractive part of the Pre Box S2 as an AOI at this price point is that you can just plug it in to USB and not worry about this shit.

 

Overall, this seems like a nice little box to stick between my power amp and an allo usbridge!

Just need to check if it can convert to dsd locally, streaming converted dsd over wi-fi seems inefficient

 

It plays what you feed it. No format conversion or up sampling on the unit itself.

 

Nono, i meant the little ALLO pseudo-pi

 

Bought one of these open box to have DSD in my setup. I have a 3 month Tidal trial that I am liking.
Tried Roon and bought it. Roon radio is the bomb.
Trying HQPlayer for upsampling to DSD512, which my pc can handle but the jury is still out.

The real purpose for my post is the Verum One. This is the definition of synergy right here using the headphone out.
Tidal is upsampling to DSD64. Big soundstage, clear defined bass, instrument separation is superb. Intelligible vocals.
Hard to find anything wrong with this.

Gungnir Multibit, phonitor e and Verite thru the 502dac/bnc are hard to beat. I would not say either one is losing the battle, just a different flavor. I'll give the verum/prebox the nod for soundstage/separation. Verite, phonitor e for presentation.