Bring Your Vinyl Records Back to Life!
The problem with old vinyl records
Everyone has their favorite old vinyl record which has gotten damaged over time, is really noisy and probably not available to buy new anymore either. Many tracks are also not uploaded to streaming platforms, so the only way to listen to them is via your old vinyl records. For sure, the slight noise and clicks are part of the vinyl experience, but at some point, at excessive levels, it is not fun anymore and your favorite record might just stay on your shelf for the remainder of its long life. We know these problems and want to bring those records back on your turntable. The solution is now here, and it is called Vinyl NRS Box S3.
How does it work?
Connect the output of your phono preamplifier to the Vinyl NRS Box S3. First, the line signal gets digitized with a bit depth of 24-bits and a sampling rate of 96 kHz. If the input is too loud, the overflow LED will show it to you. You can then activate the -6 dB switch, and the gain is fine now. The real magic happens in the digital domain.
De-Crackling
The signal gets filtered to not interfere with the processing itself. High-frequency components are used as a marker for crackles. The dedicated algorithm can now detect these peaks. You can easily adjust the sensitivity with the potentiometer on the front. The LED gives you instant feedback on the process. Crackling parts can be reduced by up to 8 dB which is a big improvement for the listening experience. If you don't want to use the De-Crackling function, just turn the potentiometer completely to the left and the algorithm is in bypass.
Vinyl Noise Reduction System (VNRS)
The signal is first separated into two frequency bands and then fed into two expanders, which increase the signal-to-noise ratio. There are no noise modulations audible using this technique! We are able to reduce the noise by up to 8 dB.
Connection & Setup
The Vinyl NRS Box S3 is connected between the phono preamp and your preamp or integrated amplifier. If you turn it on, the Vinyl NRS Box S3 is active immediately. If you don't want it in your signal path, just turn it off and the device is bypassed and the inputs are galvanically connected to the outputs. There are two De-Crackling intensity algorithms available: the basic one processes the signal very lightly; the advanced is stronger with more heavy processing. Always try the basic setting first and adjust the intensity with the potentiometer. By pressing the "Intensity" button, you can engage the advanced mode if wanted and/or necessary. The LED shows you if clicks & crackles are reduced. If you're happy with the De-Crackling setting, but you can still hear a lot of noise, you can now activate the Vinyl Noise Reduction feature by pressing the VNRS button. There is only one preset for the Vinyl Noise Reduction feature and it cannot be customized in the same way the De-Crackling can be adjusted.
Those who find the noise between LP tracks annoying will appreciate the Pro-Ject Vinyl NRS Box S3. While it doesn't totally eliminate such noise, it reduces it by about 6dB – sufficient to make many iffy LPs sound like high-class pressings. It even has a bypass switch, letting you compare the processed signal with the original. The unit is free from hum and produces no physical noise and virtually no heat. Oh, and it's very nicely priced, too, so what's not to like? I love it, and now realise that I can't live without it. It really is that simple – and really that good!
The result of the De-Crackler is fantastic, because it takes the aggressiveness out of the big and small crackers: they are significantly quieter, duller and thus fade into the background.
One push of the 'VNRS' button and there is silence between tracks and during quiet passages.
Features
- De-Crackling Function to Reduce Clicks
- Noise Reduction for Vinyl Records
- Reduces Noises of the Turntable Drive
- Processing Based on DSP with 24 bits
- 96 kHz Sampling Rate for Precise Processing
- Galvanic Pure Bypass If Switched OFF
- Ideal Transfer Characteristic & Linearity
- De-Crackling with Adjustable Sensitivity
- Line-Level Operation
- Compact Design in Standard S3-Line Case
- Full Aluminum Housing
- Available in Silver or Black
Technical Specifications
| Internal sampling | 96 kHz/24 bits |
|---|---|
| Internal processing | 56-bit accumulator, double precision |
| Frequency response 20Hz to 20 kHz | -0.6 dB / +0.1dB |
| Frequency response 30Hz to 20 kHz | -0.2 dB / +0.1dB |
| Clip indication | -0.6 dB below real clipping |
| Bypass mode | galvanic linked together (Rlink<0.3 ohm) |
| THD | <0.009% (500 mVrms Input Level) |
| VNRS noise/rumble reduce | up to 8dB (20Hz to 20 kHz) |
| De-Click reduce (basic) | 8 dB (3kHz to 20 kHz) |
| De-Click reduce (intensity) | 12 dB (2kHz to 20 kHz) |
| Outboard power supply | 18V/500mA DC, suitable for your country's mains supply |
| Power consumption in standby | 0W OFF/Standby, 2.2W ON (without outboard power supply) |
| Dimensions - WxHxD (D with sockets) | 103 x 37 x 104 (119) mm |
| Weight | 340 g without power supply |
