CYRUS - 8 XPd QXR
Integrated amplifier with updated DAC for the Q-XR
British integrated amplifier with built-in upgradeable DAC.
Cyrus is probably one of the icons of British hi-fi. The brand has a rich history dating back to 1983, when Mission/Cyrus was born. The manufacturer uses an unusual housing style that has remained unchanged for years, which is quickly associated with the top of British audio.
Products are designed so that they can be updated even after many years, improving and expanding their capabilities. For us, as a customer, this should translate into profits, because it is probably cheaper to update the equipment we already have and which we are satisfied with than to replace it with a new one. Thus, we remain faithful to the brand with the same design and logo, while not deviating from modern technology.
A good example is the reviewed Cyrus 8 XPd integrated amplifier, with a replaced (updated) digital-to-analog converter in a modern version from the Q-XR series.
The XR series of products replaced the well-deserved, award-winning and appreciated by audiophiles Signature series and is currently one of the most luxurious and expensive series in the British Cyrus offer. The changes introduce new DAC technology, power supply design and circuit topology that take Cyrus' performance to the highest level of transparency and precision.
As this is a product refreshed by the manufacturer, the review should be divided into two or even three parts (the integrated amplifier, the updated DAC and its predecessor).
The 8XP amplifier itself is based on its predecessor 8vs2 and is capable of delivering 70W of power per channel at 8 Ohm impedance. The front is no different from the 8 dac model and is available in the same color line (Quartz Silver or Brushed Black). The changes mainly concern the preamplifier, which uses the same circuit topology as the external standalone XP Signature DAC.
Cyrus 8 XPd has separate toroidal transformers for the signal and control sections, which eliminates traces of ripple and power supply noise. To significantly improve the performance of the preamplifier section, it is recommended to use an external PSX-R power supply. The internal power supply is then completely reserved for the power amplifier, and the preamplifier itself uses the ultra-smooth external stable power supply of the PSX-R.
The power amplifier has a completely new, less noisy power supply section, it is more efficient and more ecological because the standby consumption does not exceed one watt. The amplifier is equipped with a green backlit information screen, which, unfortunately, cannot be turned off in the operating mode (a function that is available, for example, in the previously reviewed Cyrus CD XP SE+ transport). The electronic switching used in the amplifier allows for the complete elimination of contact problems (degradation that occurs in the output relays used in most competitor designs). The amplifier's new intelligent thermal control system monitors the temperature control of the outer shell of the casting, maximizing thermal efficiency for the amplifier in any operating environment.
On the back wall there are densely packed inputs/outputs. MC-BUS connector for connecting Cyrus devices in a loop to be able to control the devices with one remote control. 6 analog RCA inputs for which you can assign a name, 2 RCA connectors for Pre-out 1 and Pre-out 2, preamplifier output of the second zone (Zone 2 & Tape), which is used to use an additional one. an integrated amplifier (not necessarily from the same manufacturer) in another room as a second zone. Zone 2 also gives you the ability to use the built-in DAC chip with another system as a standalone DAC.
The amplifier has 4 speaker sockets, two per channel, to enable a Bi-Wire connection, but unfortunately they are equipped with BFA connectors that accept only 4 mm BFA banana plugs. On the lower part of the rear panel there is a common socket for the IEC C13 power cord, a 3.5mm headphone jack, two digital optical SPDIF TosLink connectors, 2 digital Coaxial connectors and a USB Type B connector for connecting the DAC converter to a PC compatible with the Windows or MacOS operating system. Despite the PnP (Plug and Play) connection used, in order to use the full potential of the transducer, it is recommended to install additional drivers that expand the possibility of transducer settings in the operating system.
The previous QX DAC accompanying the 8 XPd amplifier was transparent and transparent while offering impressive dynamics. Upgrading the DAC module based on the renowned ESS Saber chip introduces an increase in oversampling (upsampling) from 24 Bit / 192 kHz to 32 Bit / 768 kHz PCM, which significantly increases the sound scale, improves resolution while maintaining the existing features of the previous flagship and valued DAC XP Signature, elevating it to an even higher level of detail and dynamic attack. We also get support for playing native files in the DSD 512 format.
Tests took place on several platforms, checking Cyrus as:
integrated amplifier with DAC QXR module
preamplifier with DAC module
stand-alone DAC digital-to-analog converter
Each combination was accompanied by an additional external PSX-R power supply.
The first test using a dedicated Cyrus CD Xt SE+ CD transport connected with a QED - Qunex Silver Spiral Dual Co-axial cable. KEF-LS 50 loudspeakers on Dynami Duo stands loaded with Atacama Atabiter SMD on spikes and marble plates connected by the Audiomica Miamen Consequence loudspeaker cable (unfortunately, in order not to interfere with the original installation of banana plugs not supporting BFA required for Cyrus, BFA plug caps had to be added to the original plugs Audiomica AML-ACP20). To complement the bass, a REL - T5i subwoofer was added, connected to the amplifier via a high-level connection via a Neutrik Speakon cable terminated with BFA bananas to the amplifier. As an alternative, the Musical Fidelity A3 CR Dual Mono power amplifier and the Densen - Beat B200 preamplifier and the RME - ADI 2 DAC FS digital-to-analog converter were used. The test was complemented by replacing Audiomica - Miamen Consequence speaker cables with The Chord - Epic Super Twin equipped with BFA. The whole was enriched by front diffusing diffusers and a rear central absorber.
Test set 1
Cyrus 8 Xpd QXR as an integrated amplifier with:
- source - built-in DAC Cyrus - QXR
- source - Cyrus CD Xt SE+ transport
- speaker cable - Audiomica Miamen Consequence + BFA caps
- Coaxial Interconnect - QED - Reference Qunex Silver Spiral
- REL – T5i subwoofer
- external PSX-R power supply connected to the amplifier.
Sound
Juicy, with a slightly brightened but velvety vocal, with even dynamics, a colorless background, and an overall very clear message. The instruments are reproduced with a lot of information while maintaining musicality at a very high level.
Test set 2
Cyrus 8 Xpd QXR as a preamplifier with built-in QXR DAC:
- source built-in DAC Cyrus QXR
- source - Cyrus CD Xt SE+ transport
- Musical Fidelity A3 CR Dual Mono
- speaker cable - Audiomica Miamen Consequence + BFA caps
- Coaxial Interconnect - QED - Reference Qunex Silver Spiral
- REL – T5i subwoofer
- external PSX-R power supply connected to an amplifier working as a DAC
Sound
Greater sound range, richer and stronger bass. Instruments with lower resolution, but with a more three-dimensional positioning on the stage. The vocals gained more warmth and became more natural in timbre. Despite everything, the sound was still brightened, although much less than in the previous connection.
Test set 3
Cyrus as a standalone DAC
- Musical Fidelity A3CR Dual Mono power amplifier
- Densen - Beat B200 preamplifier
- source CD transport Cyrus CD Xt SE+
- source 2 – DAC Cyrus QXR
- speaker cable – Audiomica - Miamen Consequence + BFA caps
- REL – T5i subwoofer
- QED - Reference QUNEX Silver Spiral cable
Sound
Less musical and vital presentation with an advanced midrange, vocals devoid of expression and with less emotion. Recessed treble, brass instruments less impressive and emphasizing accents.
Test set 4
Cyrus as an integrated amplifier
- RME source - ADI 2 DAC FS
- The Chord – Super Epic Twin speaker cable with BFA plugs
- Interconnect The Chord – Cadenza Reference
- Subwoofer - REL – T5i
- PSX-R power supply for the amplifier
Sound
Warm musical, sweet, very detailed with atomic dynamics and charisma. Percussion instruments are fast, tight and keep the rhythm in check with sweet accents on the cymbals. Very exciting vocals with very good positioning of the singer on stage. The bass is fast, strong, but not exaggerated, with many sustains that add body to the music. This combination suited every musical genre where in the material you can hear a very good balance with a balanced melodic line and not exaggerated, but clear details with a beautiful natural presentation of the musical message as a coherent whole.
Summary
Cyrus 8 XPd Q-XR updated with a modern digital-to-analog converter sounds lively and dignified. The range of sound is impressive, and the bass that this small amplifier can produce will put many expensive amplifiers to shame. What immediately catches the ear is the purity and clarity of the vocals, which have charisma in their message, where you can clearly feel the power and scale of the human voice. One of the typical features of Cyrus is the firmness and compactness of the percussion instruments, which add strength and energy to the music. Vocals are well visible and, together with the snare drum and kick drum, they come to the fore of the musical repertoire, which brings us closer to listening to live concerts. There is incredible speed and dynamics while retaining a huge amount of information and details, which makes the sound agile and fresh. It lacks a bit of tangibility and atmosphere that can be heard in the competition (unfortunately, for much more money). The DAC itself with the Cyrus CD Xt SE+ transport did not differ much in terms of quality from my reference RME-ADI 2 DAC FS. The addition of external PSX-R power increases the clarity of dynamics and highlights even more information in the music. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing the right cabling, too balanced cabling may result in increased brightness, which is especially noticeable in the vocals, which are strongly exposed by Cyrus. As a result, the sound may become too loud and forward, with a disproportionate amount of emphasis on drums and bright vocals in the music.
Cyrus in a well-selected configuration can surprise many more expensive sets with its timbre, the amount of detail provided by the Q-XR DAC and the dynamics that can push even loudspeakers that are difficult to drive can delight in this price category. The device, despite its small size and the not too impressive 70 W per channel specified by the manufacturer, is able to provide a lively, fast, detailed and musical transmission that will not suffer the proverbial hiccups with most loudspeakers available on the market. Finally, it should be mentioned that Cyrus products are so good that many audiophiles compare them to the valued NAIM as a competitive alternative with a different playing style.
Technical data
Continuous Power - 70W per channel (into 8 ohms)
Pulse power – 320 W (IHF, one channel driven to 1 ohm)
Distortion - 0.002%, 1 kHz (into 8 ohms) 0.005%, 1 kHz (into 4 ohms)
Frequency response - -3 dB, 0.1 Hz and 100 kHz
Damping factor (1 kHz) - 150
Input sensitivity (70 W) - Line: 237 mV
Input impedance - 40 kOhm (RCA).
Output voltage - 237mV (tape output), 480mV (preamplifier output)
Signal-to-noise ratio - 105 dBA (ref. 40 W)
Channel Balance - ±0.2 dB (0 dB to -63 dB)
Volume control accuracy - ±0.1 dB (0 dB to -63 dB)
Integration - MC-BUS (for connecting devices in a loop)
Zone 2 – input for the integrated amplifier in the second zone
Pre-Out 1 / Pre-Out 2 – ability to connect a home theater or other preamplifier
Dimensions (H x W x D) - 73 x 215 x 360 (mm)
Weight - 5.9 kg
DAC - for QXR version - ESS Saber (768 kHz / 32 bit) with DSD 512
Finish – quartz silver or brushed black
Prepared by: Łabędź Przemysław
