Audio T Verdict
Radio is still one of the easiest ways to discover music, news and programmes without having to decide what to play first, and the Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+ brings virtually every modern form of radio into a proper separates Hi-Fi system.
You get traditional FM, DAB and DAB+ alongside internet radio over Wi-Fi, while the choice of fixed RCA, optical and coaxial outputs means you can either use the Tuner Box's own analogue conversion or pass the digital signal to the DAC in your amplifier or a standalone converter.
There's also a surprisingly useful headphone amplifier, favourites, remote control, adjustable display brightness, sleep timer and built-in equaliser. Put all of that into Pro-Ject's compact 206mm-wide metal S3 casework and it becomes a very neat way of adding comprehensive radio playback without committing half an equipment rack to it.
Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ is Pro-Ject's compact radio tuner for conventional Hi-Fi systems, combining FM, DAB/DAB+ and internet radio in a single S3-sized component.
It can be operated directly from the front panel or with the supplied remote control, while favourite stations can be stored for quicker recall.
Connection is equally flexible: use its fixed analogue RCA output with a conventional amplifier, or connect the optical or coaxial digital output to a suitable DAC or digitally equipped amplifier.
- FM radio tuner
- DAB digital radio
- DAB+ digital radio
- Internet radio via Wi-Fi
- Worldwide internet-radio stations
- 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Dedicated Wi-Fi antenna
- 75-ohm FM/DAB antenna input
- FM/DAB antenna supplied
- Fixed stereo RCA analogue output
- Coaxial S/PDIF digital output
- Optical TOSLINK digital output
- 6.3mm headphone output
- 2 x 75mW headphone output into 32 ohms
- Headphone volume control
- Favourite station storage
- Last-station automatic playback
- Built-in equaliser
- Equaliser presets
- 5-band manual EQ
- Sleep timer
- Adjustable display brightness
- Front-panel operation
- Remote control included
- Compact 206mm S3 chassis
- Aluminium casework
- Black or Silver finish
- Made in Europe
FM, DAB, DAB+ and Internet Radio
The S3 DAB+ is designed to cover both traditional broadcast radio and network-delivered internet radio rather than forcing you to choose one format.
Broadcast Radio
- FM
- DAB
- DAB+
- 75-ohm antenna input
- No internet connection required
Internet Radio
- Worldwide stations
- Wi-Fi network connection
- Station favourites
- Local-station access
- No external streamer required
DAB and DAB+
DAB and DAB+ provide digitally broadcast radio through the supplied antenna rather than through your home internet connection.
The available station choice depends on the digital-radio services broadcast in your area and the quality of reception at your property.
Why DAB+?
DAB+ is a newer digital-radio broadcasting standard which uses more efficient audio coding than the original DAB system.
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ supports both formats, so you are not restricted to stations using one generation of digital broadcasting.
FM Is Still Included
Traditional FM remains available for stations broadcast on analogue radio.
Pro-Ject specifies an FM tuning range of 87.5 to 108MHz in 50kHz steps.
This gives the S3 DAB+ a useful fallback where a preferred station is available on FM or where local digital-radio reception is less reliable.
75-Ohm FM/DAB Antenna Input
The rear panel provides a 75-ohm coaxial DIN antenna socket for FM and DAB reception.
An FM/DAB antenna cable is supplied.
As with any conventional radio tuner, reception quality depends on signal strength and antenna placement.
Good Reception Still Matters
DAB is digital, but that does not make the antenna irrelevant. If reception is marginal, repositioning the supplied antenna or considering a more suitable external antenna can make a substantial difference to reliability.
Internet Radio From Around the World
Connect the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ to your home Wi-Fi network and internet radio opens up stations well beyond those available through local FM and DAB transmitters.
That can be particularly useful for:
- International stations
- Specialist music stations
- Regional broadcasting from outside your area
- Stations without a local FM or DAB transmitter
Internet Radio Requires Wi-Fi
The current S3 DAB+ uses 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi for internet-radio access.
A dedicated Wi-Fi antenna is supplied and attaches to the rear of the tuner.
Internet Radio Needs a Working Internet Connection
FM and DAB/DAB+ continue to operate independently of your broadband connection, but internet radio requires the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ to be connected successfully to a suitable Wi-Fi network with internet access.
No Ethernet Connection
The current Tuner Box S3 DAB+ does not provide a wired Ethernet network socket.
Internet-radio connectivity therefore uses Wi-Fi.
Favourite Stations
With potentially large numbers of stations available, Pro-Ject provides a favourites system for quicker access.
The supplied remote has dedicated controls to:
- Save the station currently playing as a favourite
- Open the favourites list
- Navigate between stored stations
Automatic Playback of the Last Station
Pro-Ject also specifies automatic playback of the previously selected station when the tuner is switched back on.
That means normal day-to-day use does not require navigating through the full radio menu every time.
Local Stations
The remote control includes a dedicated LOCAL button for accessing the local-station list, using the local area configured within the tuner settings.
Built-In Equaliser
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ includes its own equaliser.
You can choose from ready-made EQ presets or use the manual 5-band equaliser for greater control over tonal balance.
Do You Need the EQ?
Not necessarily. If the rest of your system is already well balanced, start without additional tonal adjustment. The EQ is there when a particular station, programme or headphone benefits from a little correction rather than something that must always be used.
Front-Panel Display
A central display provides the menu and current-station interface.
The front controls allow you to move between the main menu and the now-playing screen, navigate backwards and forwards and select stations or settings.
Adjustable Display Brightness
The remote provides direct access to the display dimmer menu.
This is useful in darker listening rooms where a bright display can become distracting.
Change the Now-Playing Screen
When a station is playing, the Forward control can be used to change the presentation of the now-playing screen.
Front-Panel Tune / Volume / Select Control
The large rotary controller changes function according to what is currently on screen.
Within menus it is used to:
- Scroll through menu items
- Select options
- Move through submenus
When a station is playing it controls headphone volume, while pressing the control can stop or restart playback.
The RCA Output Is Fixed Level
This is important when connecting the tuner to a Hi-Fi amplifier.
The rear RCA output is a fixed full-level line output. The front volume control does not alter its level.
Your integrated amplifier or preamplifier therefore controls the speaker listening volume.
The Front Volume Control Is for Headphones
Turning the Tune / Volume / Select control while listening does not turn the RCA output up or down. It adjusts the built-in headphone output only.
Connect Directly to an Amplifier
For the simplest installation, connect the rear stereo RCA output to a conventional line-level input on your amplifier or preamplifier.
Suitable inputs might be labelled:
Do Not Use a Turntable Phono Input
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ provides a conventional line-level signal. It should not be connected to an MM or MC phono input designed for a turntable cartridge.
Use an External DAC
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ also provides two digital outputs:
- Coaxial S/PDIF
- Optical TOSLINK
These can connect to a suitable external DAC or to an amplifier with compatible digital inputs.
This allows the digital-to-analogue conversion stage to be chosen separately from the radio tuner itself.
Coaxial Digital Output
The RCA coaxial socket carries an S/PDIF digital signal.
Use a purpose-designed 75-ohm digital coaxial cable rather than treating the socket as an additional analogue RCA output.
Optical TOSLINK Output
The optical output provides an electrically isolated digital connection to a compatible DAC or amplifier.
It can be particularly useful where you want the tuner electrically separated from the receiving digital component.
Analogue or Digital?
There is no need to assume the digital output will automatically be better.
The most useful approach is to compare:
RCA Analogue
- Uses conversion inside the Tuner Box
- Works with almost any integrated amplifier
- Simplest connection
- Fixed output level
Optical / Coaxial Digital
- Uses the DAC in the receiving equipment
- Useful with a high-quality external DAC
- Useful with digital amplifiers
- Allows easy DAC comparison
Built-In Headphone Amplifier
A full-size 6.3mm headphone socket is fitted to the front panel.
Pro-Ject specifies the headphone amplifier at 2 x 75mW into 32 ohms at 1% THD.
That allows radio listening without switching on the main amplifier and loudspeaker system.
Headphone Volume Is Adjustable
Unlike the fixed RCA output, headphone level can be adjusted from either:
- The front Tune / Volume / Select control
- The supplied remote control
Remote Control Included
The supplied remote provides access to considerably more than basic station selection.
Controls include:
- Standby
- Mute
- Numeric selection
- Save favourite
- Recall favourites
- Menu navigation
- Confirm
- Sleep timer
- Headphone volume
- Internet / FM / DAB mode selection
- Equaliser
- Previous / next station
- Play / pause
- Local-station list
- Network and system information
- Display dimmer
Remote Batteries
The remote uses two AAA 1.5V batteries.
Pro-Ject's current operating instructions state that batteries are not included with the remote.
Sleep Timer
A sleep-timer control is provided on the remote.
This is a particularly useful feature if you regularly listen to radio in the evening and want the tuner to stop automatically after a chosen period.
FM Performance
Pro-Ject publishes the following tuner measurements:
- FM tuning range: 87.5 - 108MHz
- Tuning steps: 50kHz
- Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 50dB
- THD: 0.05%
- Stereo separation: 30dB
- Antenna impedance: 75 ohms
Compact S3 Format
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ is only 206mm wide, making it far smaller than a traditional full-width tuner.
Dimensions are:
- Width: 206mm
- Height: 55mm
- Depth: 153mm
- Depth including sockets: 164mm
Its dimensions also visually match other compact Pro-Ject S-Line electronics.
940g Without the Power Supply
The tuner weighs 940g excluding the external power adaptor.
Aluminium Casework
Pro-Ject houses the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ in solid aluminium casework.
The metal enclosure provides mechanical rigidity while helping shield the internal radio, digital and analogue electronics from external interference.
External 9V Power Supply
The current dedicated Pro-Ject specification lists a supplied 9V / 2A DC external power supply.
Standby consumption is specified at less than 1W.
Black or Silver
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ is available in:
Made in Europe
Pro-Ject specifies the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ as Made in Europe.
Radio Tuner or Network Streamer?
The inclusion of internet radio doesn't turn the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ into a general-purpose music streamer.
Its purpose is radio listening across FM, DAB/DAB+ and internet-radio sources.
Internet Radio Is Not the Same as a Full Music Streamer
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ is designed around radio services. If you also want on-demand music services, local network libraries or broader music-streaming functions, add a suitable dedicated network streamer to the system.
Who Is the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ For?
The Tuner Box S3 DAB+ makes particular sense if you:
- Still enjoy conventional radio as part of your Hi-Fi system
- Want FM, DAB and DAB+ in one component
- Want access to international internet-radio stations
- Prefer a separate tuner rather than radio built into another component
- Want analogue and digital output choices
- Already own a good external DAC
- Want private radio listening through headphones
- Need a compact tuner rather than a full-width component
- Want a matching source for other Pro-Ject S-Line electronics
Key Features
- Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+
- FM tuner
- DAB tuner
- DAB+ tuner
- Internet radio
- Worldwide radio stations
- 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi antenna included
- 75-ohm FM/DAB antenna input
- FM/DAB antenna included
- 87.5 - 108MHz FM tuning
- 50kHz FM tuning steps
- 20Hz - 20kHz frequency response
- 50dB published FM S/N ratio
- 0.05% published FM THD
- 30dB published FM stereo separation
- Fixed RCA line output
- Coaxial S/PDIF output
- Optical TOSLINK output
- External DAC compatibility
- 6.3mm headphone output
- 2 x 75mW into 32 ohms
- Adjustable headphone volume
- Favourite station storage
- Last-station autoplay
- Local-station access
- Built-in equaliser
- EQ presets
- 5-band EQ
- Sleep timer
- Display dimmer
- Front-panel controls
- Remote control included
- 2 x AAA remote batteries required
- Aluminium enclosure
- 9V / 2A external power supply
- Less than 1W standby
- 206mm-wide chassis
- 940g weight
- Black finish
- Silver finish
- Made in Europe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+ current?
Yes. It remains part of Pro-Ject's current S Line and Hi-Fi electronics range.
Does it receive FM?
Yes.
Does it receive DAB?
Yes.
Does it receive DAB+?
Yes.
Does it have internet radio?
Yes. Internet-radio stations are accessed through the tuner's Wi-Fi connection.
Does FM or DAB require internet access?
No. FM and DAB/DAB+ use the radio antenna rather than your broadband connection.
Does internet radio require Wi-Fi?
Yes.
What Wi-Fi does it support?
Pro-Ject currently specifies IEEE 802.11b/g/n.
Does it have Ethernet?
No wired Ethernet connection is provided on the current model.
Is a Wi-Fi antenna included?
Yes.
Is an FM/DAB antenna included?
Yes.
What antenna connection does it use?
A 75-ohm coaxial DIN antenna input.
What is the FM tuning range?
87.5 to 108MHz.
What are the FM tuning steps?
50kHz.
Can I save favourite stations?
Yes. Favourite stations can be stored and recalled using the supplied remote.
Does it remember the station I was listening to?
Yes. Pro-Ject specifies automatic playback of the last station when the tuner is switched on.
Does it have an equaliser?
Yes. Pro-Ject provides preset EQ options and a manual 5-band equaliser.
Does it have a sleep timer?
Yes.
Can the display brightness be adjusted?
Yes. The remote provides direct access to the display dimmer menu.
Can I operate it without the remote?
Yes. Menu navigation and normal operation are also available from the front panel.
Is a remote included?
Yes.
Are remote batteries included?
No. The current manual specifies two AAA 1.5V batteries and states that they are not included.
Does it have an analogue output?
Yes. One fixed stereo RCA line output is provided.
Can I adjust the RCA output volume?
No. Pro-Ject specifies the RCA output as fixed at full level.
What controls the speaker volume?
Your connected integrated amplifier or preamplifier.
Can I connect it directly to AUX or CD?
Yes. Those are appropriate line-level inputs.
Can I connect it to a turntable phono input?
No. Its RCA output is already line level.
Does it have optical digital output?
Yes.
Does it have coaxial digital output?
Yes.
Can I connect it to an external DAC?
Yes. Use the optical or coaxial S/PDIF output.
Can I connect it to a digital amplifier?
Yes, provided the amplifier has a compatible optical or coaxial S/PDIF input.
Does it have a headphone socket?
Yes. A 6.3mm headphone output is provided on the front panel.
What is the headphone output?
Pro-Ject specifies 2 x 75mW into 32 ohms at 1% THD.
Can headphone volume be adjusted?
Yes, from either the front-panel control or the remote.
Does changing headphone volume alter the RCA output?
No. The RCA output remains fixed.
Is it a full music streamer?
No. Its network function is centred on internet radio rather than providing the broader on-demand and local-library features of a dedicated music streamer.
Does it have Bluetooth?
Pro-Ject does not specify Bluetooth audio functionality for the Tuner Box S3 DAB+.
What is the frequency response?
20Hz to 20kHz.
What is the published FM signal-to-noise ratio?
50dB.
What is the published FM THD?
0.05%.
What is the published FM stereo separation?
30dB under Pro-Ject's specified measurement conditions.
How large is it?
206mm wide, 55mm high and 153mm deep, or 164mm deep including the rear sockets.
How much does it weigh?
940g excluding the power supply.
What power supply does the current specification list?
Pro-Ject's current dedicated product page and product information specify a 9V / 2A DC external supply.
What is the standby consumption?
Less than 1W.
What finishes are available?
Black and Silver.
Where is it made?
Pro-Ject specifies the Tuner Box S3 DAB+ as Made in Europe.
Related Pro-Ject Products
Why Buy the Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+ From Audio T?
A tuner is relatively simple to add to a system, but there are still useful choices to make around reception, analogue versus digital connection and how the Tuner Box integrates with your existing amplifier or DAC.
Audio T can demonstrate the Tuner Box S3 DAB+, help establish the best connection for your system and advise on FM/DAB reception if the supplied antenna isn't ideal for your location.
- In-store demonstrations
- FM reception advice
- DAB and DAB+ setup
- Internet-radio setup
- Wi-Fi configuration
- Antenna positioning advice
- RCA analogue connection guidance
- Optical digital connection guidance
- Coaxial digital connection guidance
- External DAC comparison
- Amplifier matching
- Headphone setup
- Matching Pro-Ject S-Line system advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss how the Pro-Ject Tuner Box S3 DAB+ could add FM, digital and internet radio to your existing Hi-Fi system.