Companies often evolve over their life times in a similar way to human persons and nowhere is this more true than in the domain of high end audio. The lifecycle of Thrax Audio, the daring and pioneering boutique outfit from Bulgaria is one I have been observing from a distance with great interest. Their first foray into high end Audio was in 2010 with the Dionysos preamplifier, roughly the same time that Lotus was born, and since then I have witnessed great technical ability aligned with that rare simultaneous accompaniment of high creativity and the compulsion to essentially not really be like anyone else.

Much in the same way that we brought Tidal to the UK in 2016, I firmly believe that this now is Thrax’s time. We know both from our friends in other markets and the energy and fervour at the factory that they are now steadily approaching their first zenith. New Mk2 and Mk3 derivations of their reference products put them squarely in the upper band of high end electronics. The new statement Libra and Spartacus 300 amplifiers however, place them comfortably in that very small exclusive club commonly known as ‘state of the art’. Just as compelling as far as the UK market is concerned though, is their new entry offerings the Ares and Enyo, compact and cost effective single box audiophile solutions containing amplifier, dac, streamer and phono stage. These value packed Integrateds now bring an accessibility to the marque that was previously missing. And then there is the very compact Yatrus turntable, we’ve been selling it for over a year already. It’s a stunning achievement in itself that gets mighty close to the super decks we sell for a fraction of the cost.

“If the background is quiet the following sound appears louder and clearer. Anything different from the pitch-black background attracts your attention. Or if your hearing has adapted to a residual noise you start losing information (your brain does not pay attention to it). It is rather complex why we have all those artifacts in our precious music through the reproduction chain but it is immediately apparent when they are reduced, and simply amazing when they are almost gone.” Rumen Artaski

Rumen Artaski is very much an individual, a person who brings a great deal of original thought and singularity to the process of designing as well as exacting and uncompromising standards. This means a product portoflio that is as unique and special as it is high performing. He is also clearly a lateral and flexible thinker with exceptional problem solving skills and this means that Thrax have been able to successfully tackle a whole kaleidoscope of engineering problems. Much like Tidal Audio, whatever they turn their hands to, whether than be the machining of casework, high end electronics, transducers and loudspeakers, the complex problem of vinyl playback or the strange and often vexatious world of digital playback, the result is always nothing short of 5 stars out of 5. Very few outfits exhibit this type of uniform success and it is true that many have tried and only managed to create a veritable ‘mixed bag’.

A satisfyingly simplistic and honest range of products spanning great breadth is a perfect match for Lotus. A boutique eastern european birthplace coupled with an uncomplicated supply chain, means fantastic value and extremely high performance for you the customer’s pounds. Hugely open and holographic, uncompressed, vivid and dynamic. Exceptional internal build and unsurpassed chassis and metal work quality. High on functionality, modernity and originality, Thrax will seduce your senses and bring you more even music than you were perhaps expecting.