Pro-Ject's feature-packed affordable stereo amp wants to be your gateway into hi-fi

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The Pro-Ject Stereo Box E is small, flexible and affordable

Pro-Ject Stereo Box E flanked by a turntable and speakers
(Image credit: Pro-Ject)

Pro-Ject has unveiled its latest integrated stereo amplifier, the Stereo Box E. Created as a super-affordable performer with a compact footprint, Pro-Ject envisions its new amp as being "the ideal starter amplifier for music lovers who want to take their listening experience to a new level".

To do this, the Stereo Box E offers a total of 42 watts of power at 8 ohms (21 watts per channel) and employs a purpose-designed circuitry which strives for levels of audio quality Pro-Ject claims are "usually seen in much more expensive amplifiers". Its small footprint measures just 5.1cm x 20.6 x 11.5cm (hwd) and it is positioned below Pro-Ject's MaiA S3 range.

The Stereo Box E may be compact and affordable, but it's well-appointed with multiple analogue and digital connections. The new unit offers an RCA input, a 3.5mm aux input as well as a phono MM input for connecting a turntable, and you can hook up digital sources using the single coaxial and dual optical inputs. For wireless streaming, the Stereo Box E offers aptX HD-capable Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, while a built-in headphone amplifier means you can plug your favourite wired headphones into the 3.5mm headphone port. Further, a USB-C output lets you connect and power compatible (and low-powered) music streamers, while a dedicated subwoofer output grants the option of boosting the bass performance, should you so choose.

Pro-Ject Stereo Box E

(Image credit: Pro-Ject)

Pro-Ject's affordable new stereo amplifier is constructed using a heavy-duty steel case which aims to protect the internal electronics from outside interference, boasting a brushed aluminium front panel and complementary aluminium buttons. You can control volume and select inputs using this front panel, or use the supplied remote control instead.

Pro-Ject conceives the Stereo Box E as an adaptable unit that can easily be twinned with complementary system solutions. The amp can be paired with the matching E1 turntable and a set of Speaker Box 5E standmounts to create the 'Stereo Set E1', or you can match it up with the CD Box E CD player and two Speaker Box 3E Carbon speakers to create the 'CD Set E' playback system. These one-box sets are exclusive to the UK market.

The Pro-Ject Stereo Box E integrated amplifier is available now in black or silver finishes. By itself, the new amp costs £249 / $349 / €299, whereas the Stereo Set E1 and CD Set E systems will set you back £699 and £599 respectively.

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Harry McKerrell
Harry McKerrell
Senior staff writer

Harry McKerrell is a senior staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. During his time at the publication, he has written countless news stories alongside features, advice and reviews of products ranging from floorstanding speakers and music streamers to over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds and portable DACs. He has covered launches from hi-fi and consumer tech brands, and major industry events including IFA, High End Munich and, of course, the Bristol Hi-Fi Show. When not at work he can be found playing hockey, practising the piano or trying to pet strangers' dogs. 

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • Rui
    i doubt a lot of Pro-Ject equipment for one reason ,

    a friend of mine bought a almost 1.000€ turntable and sounded like i had never heard such a bad sound , no anti-skating or ground conection and a constant hum was listened ,

    after he bought one very similar that had anti-skating with a hanging weight like some turntables from the past ,was still horrible,

    but some years ago maybe 2022 i bought the same turntable with some kevlar speakers , a amplifier and a tube pre-amplifier all from pro-ject, with a 2Mred ortofon cartridge and stylus all for 150€ .

    After i assembled it , i notice not a aceptable sound and said that i was going to sell it,

    a younger man friend of my pro-ject turntable owner friend , told him about me wanting to sell all , to which he knocked at my door and after a small talk he tells me" i can´t give you more than 500€" i thought to my self "350€ profit, doing nothing?"

    take it, i don´t mind loosing some money" and that´s my experience with Pro-ject material but i already listened to a Pro-Ject turntable sounding close to perfection, but taking amplifier and speakers ,real expensive ones ,he spent 14.000€ to make it sound like that,

    between the turntable itself and the cartridge, but he´s filled with money,. he might be older and having a big fortune so he can spend without a blink of an eye 200.000€ in a new system,

    just to listen if it´s good than he returns to his regular system, no problem and he ofered me so many expensive material that i almost have not space to store it,

    as i have already a good .... .No several very good systems but i have a room or listening room that i change all each 6 or 7 monthes,

    the last, i put everything i as using in boxes and installed a Exclusive series from Pioneer (70´s) , two M6 mono blocks a M3 control amplifier and a P3 turntable with a very nice MC cartridge AT from the 70´s to which i have at least 5 new stylus to put there,

    and a PLC-590 from 20 series also Pioneer with a MM cartridge from Shure the VNP-15 stylus still have one either than the new one i put there in last month of April,

    but those do not last some hours they last more and have a loud sound.

    Also to record i put there a AKAi open reel deck from the 70´s that i liked it a lot a 4000 DS or close and a cassette deck the 700ZXL from nakamichi that i started to use again when my sister brought it from England repaired,

    and a cd player ,the PD-9700 from pioneer also , it sounds very good,

    i have a modern system in other room that sounsds very good but this 70´s system is amazing,

    when i was in my 20´s m,y father wouldn´t let me play a record there or record a cassete in his Phase Linear 7000 series two,

    a similar deck to the CT-A1 from early 80´s but built with good materials and a excelent design, a brand owned by Pioneer than disapeared.
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