Janus

About the Janus

The Aesthetix Janus preamplifier combines the key features of the Rhea phono stage and Calypso line stage into a single chassis. It is an all-tube design with 12 tubes total, offering a fully balanced differential line-level circuitry with the ability to internally balance a single-ended input signal. It includes six line-level inputs (balanced or single-ended) and one phono input supporting both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges with gain adjustable from 40dB to 75dB and nine selectable cartridge loading settings from 75 ohms to 47 kohms. The volume control is a discrete switched resistor network with 88 steps of 1dB each, and the unit features zero overall feedback for improved dynamics and resolution. Outputs include two pairs of XLR and two pairs of RCA per channel. Additional features include a built-in MC cartridge demagnetizer, absolute phase selection, bypass mode for home theatre processor throughput, and a full-function remote control that manages all preamp and phono functions. The Janus is available in standard, Signature, and Eclipse versions, with the Signature and Eclipse versions using upgraded coupling capacitors and other components for enhanced performance. The unit has won multiple awards including the 2010 and 2011 TAS Editor’s Choice Awards and is praised for its build quality and sound performance.