Following the Cotys phono preamp (test VU#63 FR; Remarkable), Thrax returns to its new Evolution series with the Janus.
Housed in a chassis similar to the first model in the series, except that the four switches have been replaced by two dials next to the front-panel touchscreen, the Janus digital-to-analogue converter stands out thanks to its R2R conversion and ultra-low-phase-noise clock system.
Capable of playing files up to 768 kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD512, the Janus does not aim to compete on the basis of the best measurements, but rather on the best musicality. For conversion, it uses a 20-bit R2R chip to avoid creating interference linked to PCB boards and internal circuits or wiring. A Data-Burst conversion protocol silences the system prior to conversion to ensure a reading free from electrical noise. And to ensure reliability and synchronize the signal with extreme precision, a biphasic synchronization separates clock processing from data processing.
The AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF and USB Audio ports are galvanically isolated and protected by transformers specially designed to block radio frequencies. A pair of analogue XLR or RCA terminals also allows the Janus to be used as a preamplifier, particularly as it features real analogue volume control. On the output side, here too you can choose between a balanced XLR pair or an unbalanced RCA pair.
Thanks to its 8-pin port, the Janus can operate without the power supplied via the EIC socket, running even more quietly, by connecting it to the series’ forthcoming battery, the Titan. It is launched at a European price of 9 000 €.