Cyrus i7-XR and i9-XR Integrated Amplifiers: Schottky Diodes, Speed Buffer DAC and Phantom Black Coating

Cyrus has released the XR series of six components, including the i7-XR and i9-XR compact integrated amplifiers.

Both models feature a redesigned preamp section with relay selectors and shorter signal paths. The power supply has Schottky diodes instead of traditional bridge rectifiers. According to the manufacturer, they are seven times more expensive, but the power losses in this part of the circuit have decreased five times.

In turn, this made it possible to increase the power of the amplifiers themselves: the I7-XR model gives out 2 x 52 W per channel and has a dynamic range of 101 dB to 6 Ohm speakers, and the older i9-XR will already provide 2 x 91 W per channel with a dynamic range. 104 dB.

This amplifier can be powered from the latest version of the PSU-XR external unit with separate lines for pre and power stages. For this, there is a 15-pin computer connector on the rear panel.

Both integrated circuits received four analog inputs, and the MM phono preamp was not forgotten either. Also on board – five digital inputs: two coaxial, two optical and one USB. The proprietary QXR DAC in the XR Series amplifiers features a new high-speed analog buffer stage. There are seven digital filter settings available. PCM signal up to 32 bit / 768 kHz and DSD512 are processed via USB.

Coaxial connectors of the speaker cable are supplemented in the new products with an adjustable preamp output and an unregulated line output. In addition, the rear panel houses a mini-USB port for software updates and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Signature amp cabinets have received a new Phantom Black finish. The front panel was decorated with an all-metal rotary encoder. The user interface consists of a row of touch-sensitive buttons below a blue and white LCD screen, to the left of which is a power button that glows green.

Both integrals are already on sale in the UK. The i7-XR costs £2,300 and the i9-XR costs £3,000.