September 27, 2025 The Audio Tailor

Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital Review: Elevating Desktop Audio to Audiophile Heights

Welcome to our Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital Review – a comprehensive exploration of the DAC and headphone amplifier that’s setting new standards for desktop audio. Designed for the die-hard audiophile and the dedicated music enthusiast, this compact powerhouse delivers pristine high-resolution playback up to PCM 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD256, ensuring every nuance of your favourite tracks comes alive.

Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital in Silver

Design & Build Quality

At just 103 × 37 × 120 mm and weighing in at a svelte 366 g (excluding PSU), the Head Box S2 Digital impresses both visually and physically. Its full aluminium/metal sandwich casing not only exudes understated elegance but also serves to dampen vibrations and shield against EMI/RFI interference. Available in sleek silver or stealthy black, it slots seamlessly into any desktop or living-room setup.

Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital in Black

Technical Mastery Under the Hood

At its core, the ESS Sabre ESS9038 DAC delivers jaw-dropping detail and a noise floor that vanishes into the ether. Coupled with Pro-Ject’s proprietary clock circuitry, jitter is reduced to a startlingly low 100 femtoseconds, preserving musical transients and stereo imaging with pinpoint accuracy.

Organic polymer capacitors and thin film miniMELF resistors ensure a linear frequency response, while the gold-plated four-layer PCB maintains signal integrity from digital input to analogue output. Whether streaming DSD256 files or PCM 32 bit/768 kHz masters, the Head Box S2 Digital reveals micro-dynamics with startling clarity.

Seamless Connectivity

The versatile input suite – USB-B, optical TOSLINK® and coaxial S/PDIF – means you can source audio from your PC, TV or digital transport with ease. A double-filtered USB input attenuates digital noise for a pristine signal path, while a 6.35 mm front-facing headphone jack drives a wide range of headphones. For those wanting an analogue out, the 1 × RCA pre-out (2.05 Veff) integrates effortlessly with powered speakers or a separate amplifier.

Sound Performance & Listening Experience

Engage any of the five digital filter characteristics to customise tonal balance and transient response, tailoring your sound to genres or personal preference. The ultra-low THD of 0.0007 % and a dynamic range of 120 dBA deliver a listening experience that’s both immersive and fatigue-free. With 68 mW into 32 Ω, it handles demanding planar and dynamic headphones with ease.

Who Should Consider the Head Box S2 Digital?

If you’re an audiophile seeking a compact but uncompromising DAC/headphone amplifier for desktop or portable use, this unit ticks every box. Studio professionals craving reference-grade decoding, or music lovers wanting to extract every drop of emotion from hi-res tracks, will find the Head Box S2 Digital an inspiring partner.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
- World-class ESS Sabre ESS9038 DAC for exceptional detail and depth.
- Proprietary clock circuitry achieves ultra-low jitter (100 fs).
- DSD256 & PCM 32 bit/768 kHz support unlocks high-resolution masters.
- Five digital filters for personalised sound tuning.
- Robust aluminium casing minimises interference and vibration.
- Versatile USB, optical and coax inputs with double-filtered USB noise reduction.
- Compact form factor and low power draw (5 V micro-USB).
Cons:
- Pre-out limited to single RCA pair (no balanced output).
- 68 mW into 32 Ω may challenge very high-impedance headphones (though sufficient for most).

Ready for Your Audio Revolution?

The Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital is more than just a DAC and headphone amplifier – it’s a gateway to sonic fidelity you’ve only dreamed of. To experience its performance first-hand, why not speak with our expert team? Call us on 1300 308 711 or drop a line at sales@theaudiotailor.com.au. Our tailored advice will guide you to the perfect setup, ensuring every beat, note and nuance sings.