Thrax Libra - A Statement Preamplifier and A Game Changer

Hi Ron,

Prior acquiring the Libra, I had the opportunity to listen to an Aries Cerat preamp in my system thanks to Flyer who is close friend and who used to be the local distributor. It was way too coloured to my taste.

I compared the Libra against the darTZeel preamp. I much preferred the Libra.

I never had the chance to listen to NAT or Trafomatic. I will never purchase a component that I cannot test in my own system. This somehow limits the choice as I am only working with two highly trusted brick and mortar dealers: Ana Mighty Sound in Paris and Noir & Blanc in Brussels. At least, I am sure that I am making a fully informed decision and that I will get a top notch customer service.

Beside, I wanted to have a fully balanced tape loop and only the Thrax Libra is offering that feature.

Kind regards
 
Hi Ron,

Prior acquiring the Libra, I had the opportunity to listen to an Aries Cerat preamp in my system thanks to Flyer who is close friend and who used to be the local distributor. It was way too coloured to my taste.

I compared the Libra against the darTZeel preamp. I much preferred the Libra.

I never had the chance to listen to NAT or Trafomatic. I will never purchase a component that I cannot test in my own system. This somehow limits the choice as I am only working with two highly trusted brick and mortar dealers: Ana Mighty Sound in Paris and Noir & Blanc in Brussels. At least, I am sure that I am making a fully informed decision and that I will get a top notch customer service.

Beside, I wanted to have a fully balanced tape loop and only the Thrax Libra is offering that feature.

Kind regards

Thank you very much for your detailed reply! Your policy about never purchasing a component that you cannot audition in your own system makes perfect sense to me!

Merry Christmas!
 
I listened Lybra many times from Italian distributor and for me is absolutly one of the best preamp i never listened,very natural and magic mid
 
I listened Lybra many times from Italian distributor and for me is absolutly one of the best preamp i never listened,very natural and magic mid
Hello Gian!

Merry Christmas!

Did you ever have occasion to hear it side-by-side with another preamp?
 
Hi Ron,

Prior acquiring the Libra, I had the opportunity to listen to an Aries Cerat preamp in my system thanks to Flyer who is close friend and who used to be the local distributor. It was way too coloured to my taste.

I compared the Libra against the darTZeel preamp. I much preferred the Libra.

I never had the chance to listen to NAT or Trafomatic. I will never purchase a component that I cannot test in my own system. This somehow limits the choice as I am only working with two highly trusted brick and mortar dealers: Ana Mighty Sound in Paris and Noir & Blanc in Brussels. At least, I am sure that I am making a fully informed decision and that I will get a top notch customer service.

Beside, I wanted to have a fully balanced tape loop and only the Thrax Libra is offering that feature.

Kind regards
Hello dcc, many thanks for sharing your thoughts. Would it be possible for you to share your impressions on the differences you observed between the Libra and Dartzeel preamp? Were they used with the Dartzeel and Thrax amps? Would appreciate any thoughts you could share. Many thanks
 
At AMS, I was able to make a direct comparison between the darTZeel NHB-18NS/NHB 468 combo and the Thrax Libra/Spartacus combo as well as using the Thrax Libra with the NHB 468. We used identical cables.

IMG_5305.jpeg

With the NHB 468, I found that the Libra was more "open" than the darTZeel NHB-18NS with some more dynamics.

Overall, I preferred the Thrax combo over the darTZeel one. This led me asking François to bring the Spartacus to my place but also the top of range Phoenix. I eventually ordered a pair of Phoenix.
 
At AMS, I was able to make a direct comparison between the darTZeel NHB-18NS/NHB 468 combo and the Thrax Libra/Spartacus combo as well as using the Thrax Libra with the NHB 468. We used identical cables.

View attachment 141851

With the NHB 468, I found that the Libra was more "open" than the darTZeel NHB-18NS with some more dynamics.

Overall, I preferred the Thrax combo over the darTZeel one. This led me asking François to bring the Spartacus to my place but also the top of range Phoenix. I eventually ordered a pair of Phoenix.
Wonderful. Many thanks for the feedback. Enjoy your new amps.
 
Hello Ron,
Marry Christmas also to you and all this beautiful forum
I compared Lybra only with Thrax Dyonisio,Lybra more natural
My friend distributor has Thrax,Wilson benesch,Kalista;Metronome,DS Audio
 
At AMS, I was able to make a direct comparison between the darTZeel NHB-18NS/NHB 468 combo and the Thrax Libra/Spartacus combo as well as using the Thrax Libra with the NHB 468. We used identical cables.

View attachment 141851

With the NHB 468, I found that the Libra was more "open" than the darTZeel NHB-18NS with some more dynamics.

Overall, I preferred the Thrax combo over the darTZeel one. This led me asking François to bring the Spartacus to my place but also the top of range Phoenix. I eventually ordered a pair of Phoenix.

On this comparison at Anamighty I preferred both Thrax pre and power individually as well as a set to the darts. By quite a margin.
 

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