Cyrus Audio's XR series launch comprises of two integrated amplifiers with DACs (the i7-XR and i9-XR), a preamp (Pre-XR), two CD players (the CDt-XR transport and the integrated CDi-XR) and an external power supply (the PSU-XR). There could well be more to come in the future.

Cyrus XR Series Design

Designed and assembled entirely in-house at Cyrus in the UK the XR Series is described as "a fundamental step-change in design approach" by the British hi-fi manufacturer. The company alludes to "an accumulated understanding of DAC technologies and power supply designs" as well as updated manufacturing processes and the availability of higher-grade components which, we're told, were free to be selected by the engineers, regardless of cost.

Cyrus says that by designing these products from the ground up, the engineers were able to create an exceptionally low noise platform, through power supply design, DAC optimisation, component choice, circuit topology, as well as some more fundamental design approaches.

What is more noticable, however, is that the XR series is wrapped in a new "Phantom Black" paint finish. Additionally, the XR series gets a new user interface that incorporates capacitive touch buttons and a high-res LCD screen along with a solid-metal rotary encoder.

Simon Freethy, Managing Director of Cyrus, told StereoNET

XR series represents the state-of-the-art in audio engineering in so many different ways. Our unique approach to power, coupled with the many innovations in DAC design, circuit topology and a whole new user interface, catapult Cyrus into a whole new level of performance and quality.

Cyrus XR Integrated Amplifiers

The newly designed i7-XR and i9-XR amplifiers are built with relay input switches and Schottky diodes. Cyrus says that the efficiency improvements also generated greater power capacity, which led to much lower levels of distortion. A key new feature on the XR series amps is user-selectable DAC filters.

The i7-XR produces 2 x 52 watts per channel and has a dynamic range of 101 dB, whereas the i9-XR ups that to 2 x 91 watts per channel, with a dynamic range of 104 dB.

Both amps are fully integrated with four analogue and five digital inputs (two optical, two Coax, one USB).

There is also a new software update port and pre and fixed level outputs. Additionally, you get dual speaker outputs too. Finally, both amps feature a built-in moving magnet phono stage.

Cyrus XR Preamp

The Pre-XR uses an all-new transformer and power supply design with the latter boasting high-value reservoir capacitors. The result is a dynamic range performance of 110dB.

The Pre-XR represents a vast improvement over Cyrus's existing high-end preamp, the DAC XP Signature, says the company.

The Pre-XR offers increased dynamic range and a broader bandwidth capable of handling files up to 32-bit/768k as well as DSD files. You get a built-in phono stage here, as well as a rear-mounted headphone socket.

Cyrus XR CD Players

Both the CDt-XR and the CDi-XR, feature a new power supply design and bespoke transformers designed specifically for the new CD players, making their class-leading SE CD engine even quieter, says Cyrus.

Both disc spinners utilise twin microprocessors - One chip handles all the user interface and housekeeping, while the second is dedicated to running the SE engine. This design prevents crucial timing information from being interrupted by the processor being asked to do other things.

The physical loader is also new as is the jitter-reducing re-clocking circuit. In terms of board layout, flow and return principles have been applied to the DAC section and the signal path throughout the entire player. Other improvements include new filter stages and a 2nd Generation QXR DAC specifically optimised to 16bit 44.1kHz. Finally, both players can be upgraded with the addition of the PSU-XR.  

Cyrus XR Power Supply

Cyrus proudly states that "the PSU-XR takes outboard power supply design to a whole new level." Dubbed a "truly intelligent power supply" the PSU-XR is equipped with its own onboard microprocessor that communicates with the host product to gather its exact power requirements. The PSU-XR can supply up to three separate circuits on each host product and delivers clean power, at any of 256 digitally controlled voltage levels, to ensure precise matching.

As in all the XR series products, relay switched 'stiff' power supplies ensure exceptional voltage stability even under extreme loads.

The power supply itself in the PSU-XR is as isolated as possible from extraneous noise. There is no common ground inside the PSU-XR, grounds only meet inside the host products, and even here at places where current flow is minimal.

The PSU-XR can deliver 60% more power than the PSX-R2 and is said to be 50% more efficient.

Cyrus XR Prices

The Cyrus XR range is available soon with prices starting at £2,000 for the CDi-XR CD player with the CDt-XR being £2,200. The i7-XR is £2,300, and the i9-XR comes in at £3,000. The Pre-XR costs £4,000. We are awaiting confirmed pricing for the PSU-XR.

Visit Cyrus for more information