Thrax Audio has unveiled its latest creation, the Cotys phono preamplifier, a product aimed squarely at redefining the standards for high-end analog sound reproduction. Debuted at the High End Show in Munich 2025, the Cotys is engineered specifically for modern moving coil (MC) cartridges, pushing boundaries with its noise performance, configurability, and sonic purity. This phono stage stands as a testament to rigorous design, with every component chosen to emphasize uncompromised audio fidelity.

At the heart of the Cotys is a fully balanced differential input stage, employing RIAA equalization through true LCR filters—a rare topology even at this level of audio refinement. Nano-crystalline core inductors and copper-foil capacitors ensure perfect phase correction and a low-distortion musical presentation, making this design a critical leap forward from legacy implementations. The result is a preamplifier equipped to deliver unparalleled dynamic range and a hauntingly quiet background, which should resonate with those spinning everything from vintage pressings to high-spec audiophile reissues.

One of the Cotys' standout features is its dual MC inputs, tailored for precision matching with low-output and high-impedance cartridges—a configuration that reflects a deep understanding of the demands of modern analog systems. The unit's impedance (100Ω–1kΩ) and gain (50–70dB) settings can be fully adjusted through an intuitive touchscreen interface, offering flexibility without sacrificing sonic integrity. Coupled with ultra-low noise architecture yielding sub-70nV performance, Cotys is designed to disappear into the chain, letting the signal remain pristinely musical.

Its all-aluminum chassis, milled from a single block, underscores rugged elegance while offering functional improvements like vibration control and shielding. Rumen Artarski, the mastermind behind Thrax Audio, ensured long-term adaptability by incorporating system firmware updates and support for an optional external battery power supply. With a design philosophy refusing to adhere to outdated conventions, Cotys boldly establishes itself as a forward-thinking component in the analog playback realm.

This new entry from Thrax Audio is more than a technical achievement; it embodies a philosophy focused wholly on serving the purity of the musical experience. If current specifications and design principles are any indication, the Cotys is set to make a significant impression in high-end analog systems. Whether it’s the immaculate build quality or the meticulous tuning, this is a preamplifier aimed at satisfying the most demanding ears.

Thrax Audio has unveiled its latest creation, the Cotys phono preamplifier, a product aimed squarely at redefining the standards for high-end analog sound reproduction. Debuted at the High End Show in Munich 2025, the Cotys is engineered specifically for modern moving coil (MC) cartridges, pushing boundaries with its noise performance, configurability, and sonic purity. This phono stage stands as a testament to rigorous design, with every component chosen to emphasize uncompromised audio fidelity.

At the heart of the Cotys is a fully balanced differential input stage, employing RIAA equalization through true LCR filters—a rare topology even at this level of audio refinement. Nano-crystalline core inductors and copper-foil capacitors ensure perfect phase correction and a low-distortion musical presentation, making this design a critical leap forward from legacy implementations. The result is a preamplifier equipped to deliver unparalleled dynamic range and a hauntingly quiet background, which should resonate with those spinning everything from vintage pressings to high-spec audiophile reissues.

One of the Cotys' standout features is its dual MC inputs, tailored for precision matching with low-output and high-impedance cartridges—a configuration that reflects a deep understanding of the demands of modern analog systems. The unit's impedance (100Ω–1kΩ) and gain (50–70dB) settings can be fully adjusted through an intuitive touchscreen interface, offering flexibility without sacrificing sonic integrity. Coupled with ultra-low noise architecture yielding sub-70nV performance, Cotys is designed to disappear into the chain, letting the signal remain pristinely musical.

Its all-aluminum chassis, milled from a single block, underscores rugged elegance while offering functional improvements like vibration control and shielding. Rumen Artarski, the mastermind behind Thrax Audio, ensured long-term adaptability by incorporating system firmware updates and support for an optional external battery power supply. With a design philosophy refusing to adhere to outdated conventions, Cotys boldly establishes itself as a forward-thinking component in the analog playback realm.

This new entry from Thrax Audio is more than a technical achievement; it embodies a philosophy focused wholly on serving the purity of the musical experience. If current specifications and design principles are any indication, the Cotys is set to make a significant impression in high-end analog systems. Whether it’s the immaculate build quality or the meticulous tuning, this is a preamplifier aimed at satisfying the most demanding ears.