Well-identified for its portable music players and headphones, Shanling also has a whole Desktop range, in which CD players and transporters feature prominently at prices that are often contained, except for the unreasonable T35 (at $16 999).
Recently, the Zenith XST20 was added to the catalog, above all models except the T35. In a rigid black aluminum chassis built by CNC machine, this CD and SACD transport weighs a total of 5.2 kg and offers a 3.4-inch touchscreen front panel. Its Sanyo DH870 laser-reading mechanism is top-loading, with a transparent clamp on top. Powered by a 25 VA shielded toroidal transformer, this new Onix is not a player, in that it has no DAC, but just digital outputs like AES/EBU, optical, RCA and BNC coaxial, USB and I2S, the latter FPGA-assisted.
Supplied with remote control, the Zenith XST20 benefits from a high-precision clock and is content with the maximum resolutions of the discs it plays, i.e. PCM at 44.1 kHz for CDs and DSD64 for SACDs. It costs 2 090 € in Europe and 2 099 € in US.
Today, with streaming gaining more and more market share and seemingly set to dominate, Pro-Ject is introducing a new CD player, the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T. Isn’t this going against the grain? But we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. First and foremost, the brand is banking on the attachment to physical media that many users still feel. This behaviour is partly responsible for the revival and success of vinyl and can also be seen with audio CDs. In short, physical media is an integral part of the recorded work and nothing beats the feel of the actual disc.
This new CD player, which is actually a ‘drive’, offers a very high level of performance. It is clearly aimed at a demanding, passionate clientele who want to enjoy their recordings in excellent listening conditions. However, truly high-end CD players with high-precision mechanics are no longer even being produced. Similarly, while 16-bit processing is essential to fully exploit the sound quality of CDs, some players only really use 10 bits.
However, offering a player with a high-quality DAC is expensive, while many independent DACs are already available in a large number of hi-fi components. Why not dispense with this DAC section in the player in order to reduce its production cost and thus make it more accessible to a wider audience? This is the option that Pro-Ject chose when designing the CD Box RS2 T.
One of the main causes of playback errors affecting sound quality is the vibrations to which the optical system can be subjected. To minimise their impact, the CD Box RS2 T features a particularly rigid carbon fibre chassis that supports the playback mechanism, which is connected to the body of the device via specially designed suspensions combining silicone and precision springs.
The chassis is milled from a solid block of steel. This manufacturing choice gives it excellent temperature stability and prevents any risk of deformation. This assembly also acts as an effective barrier to the propagation of unwanted vibrations. Similarly, the CD clamping device on the central pivot has been optimised. Made from a perfectly balanced solid aluminium piece, it guarantees vibration-free disc rotation.
Finally, on the electronics side, the CD Box RS2 T is the first to use new drivers combined with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo motor management system. This choice gives this drive exceptional performance, especially for a product in this price range.
As for connectivity, since the CD Box RS2 T is a drive and therefore does not have an internal DAC that allows it to deliver an analogue signal directly, it remains relatively limited. However, the connectivity is designed so that it can be integrated just as easily into a system made up of exceptional components as into a more modest configuration.
For total compatibility with the vast majority of devices containing a DAC, and therefore capable of accepting digital audio streams, the CD Box RS2 T is equipped with an S/PDIF optical output. However, for the most demanding purists, the CD Box RS2 T also has an AES/EBU output.
This guarantees even higher digital stream transmission quality than the optical output, particularly in terms of jitter, and allows you to fully exploit the quality of the CD Box RS2 T. Finally, an HDMI socket is also provided. Compliant with the I2S + Masterclock standard, it also guarantees a perfect interconnection solution and bypasses the limitations inherent in other forms of digital audio interconnection.
With the CD Box RS2 T, Pro-Ject has no hesitation in declaring that this drive is part of a family of exceptional products that are likely to become the benchmark for audio CD playback. It is available in silver aluminium, black or even in colour on request. It comes with an elegant solid aluminium remote control.
THE SET-UP OF THE PRO-JECT CD BOX RS2 T
With its compact size and low weight, the CD Box RS2 T will easily fit on one of your shelves. However, it is important to ensure that the shelf is sturdy enough to support this small rotating machine so that it can operate under the best conditions. The CD Box RS2 T comes with a basic power supply as standard. For optimal performance, you can purchase the Power Box RS Uni linear power supply for £549. The power supply is a very important part of the audio circuit and contributes significantly to sound quality.
THE SOUND OF THE PRO-JECT CD BOX RS2 T
Don’t be fooled by its diminutive size. This speaker packs a big sound. While it has a wide bandwidth, delivering a beautifully comprehensive spectrum, the balance is extremely linear with tight, never muddy bass. The double bass is characterised by a lot of tension and great precision on the attacks. There is no excess weight to complain about. The same goes for the upper end of the spectrum, which is incisive and bright without veering into more strident tones.
In any case, balance is the order of the day here. The CD Box RS2 T strives to provide a comfortable and natural listening experience. It is particularly impressive in terms of resolution. Thus, with invigorating material, it impeccably highlights the different lines of each score. With it, you can follow all the instruments very simply and with ease. Its responsiveness is excellent. Finally, it rewards us with a beautiful three-dimensional space. The soundstage extends along all three axes with great presence.
OUR CONCLUSION
This is a product with a simple appearance that conceals a high level of sophistication in terms of development. Compact and lightweight, it features high-precision mechanics and heralds the high fidelity of tomorrow, pragmatic and powerful. It is astonishing to see how this small machine can challenge larger products on their own audiophile turf. Once again, we applaud the efforts of Pro-Ject for providing us with a wide and particularly well-balanced range of products.
In addition to the UltraSonic (test VU#49 Web) and NOVA (test VU#56) washing machines, both of which we have kept for our own personal use, and the S-DUO cell cleaner (Le Jouet VU#50), the Chinese company Humminguru has become a specialist in all accessories useful in a vinyl environment.
In its catalog, you could find all the filters and maintenance liquids you need to clean your black wafers, as well as pouches and a range of accessories more closely related to decoration, with foldable FlexiCube storage boxes and wall-mounted frames.
Foldable and unfoldable, the rigid plastic FlexiCube can be used simply as a crate to store 33 rpm vinyl records (or one of the aforementioned washing machines), or as a stacking shelf, since it is designed to fit together to ensure stability. The unit costs 85 €, but a set of 3 saves almost an item, costing 185 €.
More curious, the wall frame is simply a black frame designed to easily insert your LPs for wall display. Uncovered, the frame makes it easy to slide the sleeves in and out, so you can not only look at them, but also listen to the albums inside. The set of 4 frames sells for 90 €.
As dynamic as ever (you could even say isodynamic…), the famous Chinese brand of planar magnetic headphones Hifiman has announced no fewer than four new headphones for the fall.
Edition XV While the Edition XV is just a redesign of the Edition XS (2021) headphones, which were first released as the Edition X (2015), it does, however, incorporate two new technologies, like the other new models, with a new diaphragm (Neo Supernano Diaphragm gen 2) that is 40% thinner than the previous one, and magnets that are said to be just as powerful but now free of rare earths, in a move towards greater environmental friendliness. Its new headband gen 2 headband makes it 30 g lighter and more comfortable, as with the three other headphones presented. It will be available in September at 409 €.
Audivina LE At the same price of 409 €, the Audivina LE is a closed version of the Audivina, with the same headband as the Edition XV but still featuring the first-generation Supernano diaphragm. Its injection-molded plastic shell, light weight, and closed-back design—still rare for a planar headphone—make it a promising model thanks to its versatility.
Ananda Unveiled First seen with the Susvara Unveiled (VU#55), the unveiled technology has been developed further in the Arya and HE1000, resulting in greater sound openness and better diffraction, particularly at low frequencies. It also features a new headband, a new Gen 2 diaphragm and rare earth-free magnets, while remaining affordable at 569 €.
HE600 A true tribute to the HE6, which appeared in 2010 a year after Hifiman’s debut with the HE5, the HE600 also incorporates the three improvements mentioned above, with a weight reduced by a quarter (389g compared to 502g for the HE6) and a better response curve than the previous version. Its sensitivity of 94 dB and impedance of 28 ohms still don’t make it an easy model to power, but its new connectors and ear cups, as well as the redesigned diaphragm and magnets, promise superior sound quality for a still reasonable price of 829 €.
We are in discussions with the distributor to receive several versions very soon, so we can tell you more about the components and sound characteristics of these new headphones. Verdict coming in the fall!
Tested by us in September 2021 (see VU#37 review and Node X review), the Bluesound Powernode is changing for the end of this year.
With the power of 2 x 100 watts under 8 ohms, the Powernode is the amplified version of the Node streamer, whose value for money has been evident since its release, with the competitive advantage of offering an effective multiroom option. Of course, it is still compatible with all other connected electronics and speakers from the brand, and now with some NAD products thanks to its BluOS connectivity. The Powernode can also be listened to through headphones thanks to its 6.35 mm output on the front panel, powered by THX AAA™ technology, and can now be listened to via Bluetooth thanks to an aptX Adaptive module, whereas the first versions limited file transfer to the mother app and Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
The comprehensive 2025 Powernode has not two but three pairs of speaker terminals to better suit home cinema listening, as it allows you to add a center channel to the two stereo speakers, with power up to 80 watts per channel. It also has an HDMI eARC port for connection to a TV or video device, and Dolby Digital® surround technology built in. Compatible with Hi-Res audio files up to 192 kHz sampling rates and DSD256, it decodes MP3 and FLAC files.
Although Qobuz Connect has not yet been announced, Spotify and Tidal Connect are already available, as well as AirPlay 2, Roon Ready compatibility, and Amazon Alexa voice control for those who don’t want to use the touch controls on the glass panel on top. However, there is still no screen, which is understandable given that, at the same price as the Node Icon (1 099 €), it adds Class D amplification and avoids the need to invest in another device.
