What is HIFI Reference
I think the word "Reference" in Hi-Fi is being thrown around quite often these days, and I think it usually reflects the listener's viewpoint on what audiophile is. For some, 500 euros gear can be reference; to some, if it is below 2000 euros, don’t think about calling it anything other than entry gear.
And like many others, to me, the word "Reference" is very much connected to what gear can satisfy many of your needs before diminishing value creeps in, which means that you need to start investing significantly more to see a little more in upgrade. So it should not be mixed with the best value, as to me, best value is strictly connected to how much it is priced on the market.
But I also use it to compare different devices, as when I want to buy something, how much is it better or worse than my reference gear and how much it costs compared to it.
Cartridge pairings, and best cartridges under 750 euros
Also, if you are interested in great pairings of phono cartridges, please look at my video, which will be in the description of this video, of great phono cartridges under 750 euros. In it, I tried with every cartridge to explain will it fit better with solid state or tube amps. So if you are looking for a cartridge companion, it could be an interesting listen.
Phono vs Tube Box DS3:
Why I chose these two devices
To me, in the phono preamplifier world, Project's Phono Box and Tube Box DS3 are those devices. They are not necessarily the best devices ever. But you need to start investing significantly more in your gear to start getting less and less. And I can see that these two devices can be part of my arsenal for a long time.
But the purpose of this review is to analyze which one is for you. What is the strength and what is the weakness of each one… so you know - when you buy to choose the right one for you. As they are similar in price but have different sonic signatures.
For who this pre-amps are for?
But to start off, who are these devices for? They are for someone who is willing to invest in their turntable and remove any bottleneck to truly open the sound. It is no mystery that phono preamps inside integrated amps can vary in quality from bad to good, but none of them can compare to an external phono preamp. So no matter how much you invest in your turntable, you will not be able to hear it truly bloom and show its talents without a phono.
It also allows controlling impedance, gain, and allows Moving Coil magnets to be used with the rest of your gear.
Cheaper Alternatives
I love external phono preamps; my eyes have been opened ever since I started using them, from cheap ones to the more mature that I use now. And I don’t want to say that you need an expensive phono for this. You can use cheaper ones, and your sound will open and be more detailed as well. A great choice for the best value is Rega Phono Moving Magnet and Pro Ject Tube Box S2. You have reviews on this channel for them both.
Sonic Characteristics and strength of both devices
But there has always been a struggle over which phono sonic characteristics I like the most, the ones coming from solid states or the ones coming from tubes. I used to switch and change a few of them, and like with many things Hi-Fi, your ears are always going to end up hungry for more. Maybe not necessarily more, but for any sound change for it to sound different, something that will push your boundaries in any kind of new direction.
Firstly, prepare for the soundstage to open. I mean really open no matter which one you choose. I think the reason for that is just how much more expensive the dynamic range of the sound is now. The more you hear, the more you perceive the larger scope of sound. It just places individual instruments in their lane and space both horizontally and vertically. It is amazing the first time you hear your favorite music with the help of this preamp. It honestly is like magic; it completely unveils the sound in front of your eyes.
Everything just becomes more mature, as the sound gets a lot of elegance of great audiophile sound. Everything is more open, and yet the fine details within sound get more pronounced and vivid.
It, of course, is largely also dictated by your accompanying tone arm and phono cartridge, how talented they are in extracting and organizing sound. But if you have talented accompanying gear, the detail and texture of sound are going to be textured so that every instrument gets its “flavor,” which means that you can tell by your ear how much production has been utilized to record it. It will tell you if something is wood, metal, hollow… it is incredible in giving you that audiophile experience.
But the way that Phono and Tube Box provide you with that excellence is a bit different, and is worth considering when buying them.
Phono vs Tube - Pros and Cons
To me, Phono Tube Box is more pronounced in upper bass, to mids. The sound is weightier and smoother. And the sound presentation is a bit more relaxed in that sense. The midsection is more rounded, it is definitely for people who enjoy the sound with great decay and reverb.
The sound will envelop you, and the way vocals sound with this amp is so lovely. The vocals have depth and weight and presence. It is amazing how smooth and lovely the vocals sound. There is a beautiful richness in mids that gives a great dynamic response to vocals.
But the greatest plus of this phono is how the bass has definition and weight. It also with drums has this very materialistic approach to sounding bigger with great texture. And so much definition that it creates this great rhythmics that envelope the room and carries you away.
It is an incredible phono that will open the sound, detail it and provide some mesmerizing beautiful warm sound, that is rich and weighty with spectacular vocal reproduction and bass.
But how does the Phono Box compare to the Tube Box? Well, the sound is definitely far clearer. The way that treble and upper spectrum sound more pronounced.
It is more detailed phono, where extraction and transparency are so much more presented to the listener, including helping with blackening the background. If you prefer more clinical listening to have great transparency, details, and insight, this might be more for you. It is also a balanced presentation, compared to the Tube's warmer one.
It definitely allows your gear to sound more precise, with great timing to it. It is also a great phono to be more in a helping role as it will better fit many other gears. That is true as it will better fit many other cartridges, amps, and speakers. As the Tube Box will push its colorations into the mix.
Definition and precision of details allow separating everything better. As it has this great soundstage and great separations among layers. Both Tube and Phono Box do a great job, but as far as separation, soundstage, and imaging, I think Phono Box is just better.
Instruments have more attack, and forward presence. So the music will be more rhythmic and live, in contrast to the more relaxed presentation of the Tube Box. Therefore treble and mids sound amazing and detailed.
Real Life - Listening Experience
I used the song I know so well, to see the duality of these two preamps. And that is Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting." The reason for that is that there are simple sides to that song, but also strings which are produced pretty high and present… almost fighting with Kate Bush for the spotlight in the song. And there is a tempo, which is built with different drums and percussion, almost like a galloping rhythm pulsating in the background.
Now there are three things that I try to hear when analyzing the sound, and that is how well I can hear and identify those percussions, how well those sound layers separate, and how detailed and present Kate’s vocals are in the song.
If you like those details and percussion, it is the Phono Box that is dominant here. It is capable of isolating them and compacting them in their area, with clarity. So that tempo of the song and push is more crystallized, with greater insight. There is more transparency and insight to them from Tube Box, and for those clinical hearts, this might be for you.
But Kate’s presence felt more omnipresent with Tube Box; her vocals sounded more sweet and smooth, with greater presence. It is the kind that I enjoy with my ears and heart. It is a great way to listen to music, and the sound just had more weight and presence giving lower bass more definition. But when Kate reaches the peak and raises her voice at the end of the chorus, it is so wonderful.
Regarding layer separation, all those keyboards and strings which are really present in the mix, and sometimes overpower her voice, are well subdued by both. My ears could pick up enough details and textures so that they can separate enough from each other. Did Phono Box do a better job here? Maybe, as a much clearer presentation, and a more balanced one gave a blacker background that helps greatly with layer separation. But Tube Box did not trail far away, it is just a massive sound so that can be perceived as both strength and weakness.
Which one is for me?
So which one is for you? Maybe you will first want to hear which one is for me? It is… a Tube Box. And it is an answer that I answer with my heart, as at some points looking from a pure technical perspective I believe that Phono Box is a better device, with more ways to pair with different gear as tubes need careful system matching.
But that beautiful warm sound is truly a wonder. Especially in contrast with how Phono Box is wonderfully sonically balanced, it truly touches your soul rather than your mind. I return to it more than the Phono Box, so for me, it is going to be those lovely tubes.
Conclusion
In a high-level explanation, it is all about what kind of listener you are. You like more clinical listening, with greater transparency and precision. You go with Phono Box.
You like a larger sound, more smooth and warmer sound with excellent musicality and passion, you go with Tube Box.
But whatever you choose, you are not wrong. Both of these devices are amazing and will be your reference gear for years to come. It will unlock all the potential of your turntable and enhance the listening experience with more dynamics, details, and soundstage.
It is a must-buy for any serious audiophile that listens to vinyl.
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See you next time, keep daydreaming!
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