# Schiit Mani 2 vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Schiit Mani 2 (Schiit Audio) and Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B (Pro-Ject Audio Systems) among phono preamps.

## Side by side

| Spec | Schiit Mani 2 | Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $149 | not published |
| Brand | Schiit Audio | Pro-Ject Audio Systems |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC | MM and MC |
| Gain (dB) | 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting | 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs |
| Snr (dB) | 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting | MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 dB(A) |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | <0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options | 50/150/300/400 pF selectable |
| Subsonic filter | Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz | 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff |
| Thd percent | 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting | MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz |
| Output level | 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs |

## Key differences

- Gain (dB): Schiit Mani 2 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs
- Snr (dB): Schiit Mani 2 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 dB(A)
- Riaa accuracy: Schiit Mani 2 ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B <0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Schiit Mani 2 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 50/150/300/400 pF selectable
- Subsonic filter: Schiit Mani 2 Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff
- Thd percent: Schiit Mani 2 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz
- Output level: Schiit Mani 2 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs

## Sources

- Schiit Mani 2: https://www.schiit.com/products/mani (schiit.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B: https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/phono-box-s3-b/ (project-audio.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/schiit-mani-2-vs-pro-ject-phono-box-s3-b/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Schiit Mani 2 ($149) vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/schiit-mani-2-vs-pro-ject-phono-box-s3-b/
License: CC BY 4.0.