COTYS phono preamplifier, £7995

LOTUS WRITES:

“Munich 2025, Thrax has unleashed a standout launch very much with UK buying habits in kind. Presenting the space age Cotys MC Phono stage, the first in a sequence of affordable micro chassis products from Sofia in Bulgaria. Soon to follow will be a USB Dac with a single input analogue linestage, and a stereo power amplifier all in the same form factor and all around 9000 Euro per box as the target price. So a fully fledged system then which will occupy a tiny part of your room, and with sonic performance that gets scarily close to the ability of the Thrax reference products (Maximinus, Orpheus) at half or even a third of the cost.”

A revolutionary moving-coil phono preamplifier that challenges decades of industry conventions. The Cotys shatters conventional design barriers with a fully balanced, LCR-based RIAA equalizer, meticulously engineered to extract every nuance from modern high-performance moving-coil cartridges. Its differential input stage – optimized for the balanced topology and ultra-low impedance of moving-coil systems – works in concert with nano-crystalline inductors to establish an unprecedented standard: vanishing noise floors meet explosive dynamic range, revealing subtleties in both vintage vinyl treasures and contemporary audiophile pressings. By completely reimagining the input stage architecture, the Cotys transforms the inherent advantages of moving-coil cartridges into a revelation of purity and precision.

The Cotys employs a nano-crystalline inductor in its first correction time constant, integrated into the initial gain stage to reduce noise contribution by 3–6 dB over conventional designs. By adopting fully balanced operation, it eliminates ground loops and extraneous noise—a critical advantage in modern systems where turntables often rely on switch-mode motor drives. The difference is not just measurable; it’s immediately audible.

​Designed for the discerning analog enthusiast, the Cotys features two independently configurable inputs, accommodating a wide range of cartridges while delivering performance typically reserved for far costlier systems. Flexibility extends to connectivity: the circuit is equally optimized for both RCA and balanced operation, with connectors customized at the time of order.

Control is intuitive, courtesy of a user-friendly touchscreen interface—simple enough for immediate use yet capable of supporting future enhancements.

Uncompromising Signal Integrity

Every component is selected for sonic excellence, including:

  • Copper and silver signal capacitors

  • Tantalum nitride resistors

  • Proprietary solder alloy for optimal signal path purity

The result? Reference-grade sound, backed by Thrax.

A Fusion of Art and Engineering

Housed in a solid, machined-aluminum enclosure, the Cotys is as indestructible as it is visually striking. Its design transcends mere functionality, bordering on high-end audio sculpture—built to last a lifetime and beyond.

  1. Dual Moving-Coil Inputs – Precision-matched for low-output and high-impedance cartridges.

  2. Balanced Differential Topology – Eliminates ground loops and common-mode noise

  3. Ultra-Low Noise Architecture – A differential input stage with -sub 70nV noise for blacker backgrounds.

  4. True LCR Equalization – Nano-crystalline inductors and copper-foil capacitors for phase-perfect RIAA correction.

  5. Fully Configurable Loading/Gain – Touchscreen interface for impedance (100Ω–1kΩ) and gain (50–70dB) adjustments.

  6. Future-Proof Design – Field-upgradable firmware and optional external battery power supply.

  7. Uncompromising Build – Machined from a single aluminum block, with universal AC input for global use.

Weight

–  6kg

Dimensions  

–  340 x 65 x 210 mm 

Power max  

–  15W 115/230V 50/60Hz 

Input level  

–  100uV-10mV

Gain

–  50-70db 

Input impedance  

–  80-1000 Ohm  

Max output level

–  6V

Signal to Noise  

–  

Frequency responce  

–  20-20,000Hz +/- 0.5db 

The Cotys shatters conventional design barriers with a fully balanced, LCR-based RIAA equalizer, meticulously engineered to extract every nuance from modern high-performance moving-coil cartridges. Its differential input stage – optimized for the balanced topology and ultra-low impedance of moving-coil systems – works in concert with nano-crystalline inductors to establish an unprecedented standard: vanishing noise floors meet explosive dynamic range, revealing subtleties in both vintage vinyl treasures and contemporary audiophile pressings.

​

By completely reimagining the input stage architecture, the Cotys transforms the inherent advantages of moving-coil cartridges into a revelation of purity and precision.

The Cotys employs a nano-crystalline inductor in its first correction time constant, integrated into the initial gain stage to reduce noise contribution by 3–6 dB over conventional designs. By adopting fully balanced operation, it eliminates ground loops and extraneous noise—a critical advantage in modern systems where turntables often rely on switch-mode motor drives. The difference is not just measurable; it’s immediately audible.

​

Designed for the discerning analog enthusiast, the Cotys features two independently configurable inputs, accommodating a wide range of cartridges while delivering performance typically reserved for far costlier systems. Flexibility extends to connectivity: the circuit is equally optimized for both RCA and balanced operation, with connectors customized at the time of order.

Control is intuitive, courtesy of a user-friendly touchscreen interface—simple enough for immediate use yet capable of supporting future enhancements.

Preview – Monoandstereo

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