Pro-Ject Audio Systems knows turntables, but they also know what happens to a good signal after it leaves the tonearm. The Phono Box S3 B is their entry-level balanced phono preamp, and calling it entry-level undersells what it does. This is a fully discrete, symmetrical gain stage housed in a new steel and aluminum chassis that blocks interference better than most components at twice the price. The real story here is the balanced connection. You can connect your turntable via a 5-pin mini XLR cable, and the signal stays balanced from cartridge to output. That means lower noise, better channel separation, and a cleaner path for your vinyl.

In daily use, this preamp is dead quiet. The symmetrical design cancels out hum and interference before they reach the RIAA equalization stage. You get a black background that lets the music breathe. Cartridge loading options are available, so you can match it to your moving magnet or moving coil cartridge without swapping parts. The included power supply is clean and reliable. At 45 RPM support, it handles your 12-inch singles without complaint.

The only catch is the size. The new casework is bigger than the previous model, so check your shelf space. That extra room, however, buys you a genuine balanced path that most entry-level preamps skip entirely. If your turntable has a balanced output, this is the upgrade that makes it matter.