A Beloved Turntable Maker’s New Amplifier Blends Modern and Old-School Hi-Fi

Pro-Ject — the Austrian hi-fi company best known for its range of turntables that balance high-fidelity sound, grade-A build quality and (usually) a reasonably affordable price tag — has released a new streaming amplifier that, according to the brand, “masterfully bridges the worlds of analogue and streaming.”

It’s called the Uni Box S3.

Pro-Ject

To date, Pro-Ject has offered several other streaming amplifiers, some of which are more powerful and more expensive than the Uni Box S3. However, this newest offering is a standout because, to the best of my knowledge, it’s the first to support Wi-Fi streaming. All the others only supported Bluetooth.

And, maybe most interestingly, the reason that the Uni Box S3 is able to support Wi-Fi streaming is due to an unexpected partnership between Pro-Ject and one of the biggest names in modern budget hi-fi.

A WiiM streamer

That’s right. Pro-Ject has teamed up with WiiM, the maker of some of today’s most budget-friendly streamers and streaming amps, to bring its streaming technology and app experience to Uni Box S3.

The Uni Box S3 is compatible with the all-new Pro-Ject Home app, which is built on WiiM OS, and thus promises to work and feel very similarly to the WiiM Home app. It’ll allow you to adjust EQ settings and manage multi-room systems with Pro-Ject’s other connected components.

Pro-Ject integrated the Uni Box S3 with a Cirrus Logic CS4344 DAC, which it says supports high-fidelity streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz. It also supports many of today’s streaming methods, including Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. (AirPlay isn’t supported, unfortunately.)

Pro-Ject

40-watts, stereo power

While WiiM is at the center of the streaming experience, the Uni Box S3’s analog side is still handled by Pro-Ject. In fact, it has a unique design with separate circuitries for analog and digital signals.

Pro-Ject’s Uni Box S3 is capable of delivering 40 watts per channel (into 4 ohms) or 23 watts (into 8 ohms), making it ideally suited to drive efficient bookshelf-sized speakers with high sensitivities.

Essentially, the Uni Box S3 is a high-quality amplifier, but it isn’t the most powerful. In truth, it’s the same amplification as in Pro-Ject’s MaiA S3 ($799), its Bluetooth-only streaming amplifier. So you’re paying a premium for Wi-Fi streaming.

Pro-Ject

Turntable, TV and more

As you can see from the diagram above, the Uni Box S3 is an incredibly versatile streaming amplifier — it can be the hub of your home’s hi-fi and/or home theater system.

It features a built-in phono preamp that supports moving-magnet cartridges, so you can directly hook up your turntable. It has an HDMI eARC input for your TV. And it has RCA line-in, optical and coaxial digital inputs for hooking up other media players.

It also features a built-in headphone amp with a 6.3mm jack, ideal for those who prefer a more private listening experience.

It also functions as a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter, enabling you to stream music from your smartphone to it or from it to a pair of powered speakers.

Pro-Ject

Price and availability

The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 is a reasonably compact amplifier with a minimalist design. It has a simple aluminum body — available in silver or black finishes — with a small volume knob and multiple buttons for switching inputs.

Pro-Ject is selling the Uni Box S3 for $1,099, which, admittedly, is pricey considering its MaiA S3 streaming amplifier ($799) has the same amplification, but is considerably cheaper.

The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 is available now from the brand and other authorized dealers.

Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject Uni Box S3

• $1,099 at Pro-Ject

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