Cyrus Pre XR Pre-Amplifier

Cyrus Audio Pre XR Premium Pre-Amplifier

The Pre-XR is one of the first wave of products, heralding the new XR series of Cyrus components. The familiar Cyrus precision die-cast case is the same, but everything else has changed. With ground-up engineering inside, an all-new phantom black paint finish, touch sensitive controls and a higher resolution display that is customisable for brightness, contrast and polarity, the high quality finish of XR makes a strong statement. There’s no shortage of innovations and upgrades under the skin. XR series products are the manifestation of over a decade’s accumulated technology and development knowledge. With particular attention to the detail of every component that lays in the audio path, XR takes Cyrus audio performance to another level.

Key Features

• 4 x Analogue inputs
• 1 x Phono MM input
• 2 x Optical inputs
• 2 x Coaxial digital inputs
• 1 x Asynchronous USB input
• 1 x Analogue preamplifier out
• 1 x Headphone output 
• PSU-XR upgrade port
• Hand built in the UK
• 3 Year Warranty

All new analogue preamplifier

The Pre-XR analogue preamp features relay input selection and a new high performance gain stage. This shortpath design makes the analogue preamplifier extremely transparent. With four analogue inputs and phono MM, the Pre-XR will cover just about any system requirement for analogue connectivity.

High capacity power supply

The power supply design of the Pre-XR has received special attention. An over-specified 74VA power transformer delivers power to a high capacity power supply reserve. Within the circuit design, a generous total of 15 independent power supply regulators regulate, then sub-regulate quiet power. Digital control circuits are assigned a separate mains power supply, completely isolated from the signal circuitry.

Pre-XR digital performance

The DAC input stage of the Pre-XR features a new 2nd generation version of our award-winning QXR DAC, but with an all-new high-speed analogue buffer stage. Seven digital filter alignment options are user adjustable to suit the taste of the listener. Input options include USB audio (to 768k sample rate) and DSD to DSD512, 2 x SPDIF digital and 2 x optical digital inputs.

Balanced and unbalanced output options

The Pre-XR features a choice of balanced audio drive via XLR connectors for best performance in systems where it is partnered by high-end power amplifiers with balanced inputs. An unbalanced output is also provided.

PSU-XR Port

The Pre-XR includes a port for the new PSU-XR power supply. Thirty years ago Cyrus broke new ground with the introduction of the PSX-R, the first ever regulated power supply upgrade that automatically adapted to match perfectly the power requirements of any connected product. The PSUXR raises the bar by sourcing no less than five independent regulated supplies in a single box. For the Pre-XR the PSU-XR steps in to take over power supply for the analogue stages of the preamplifier.

Fully configurable

A new menu system makes the Pre-XR highly customisable yet easy to set up. With a tree-style navigation structure and both local and remote control navigation, menu settings are quick and simple to select.

All Cyrus components are manufactured in an advanced die-cast aluminium chassis and this hand finished casework is an integral part of the products’ sound. It’s not just about good looks; the chassis composition is specifically designed to create an electronically shielded and mechanically vibration-free environment for the sensitive audio circuits which are hung inside the inverted chassis, avoiding unwanted electric currents and secondary magnetic fields so the sound you hear is the very best that it can be.

For the XR series, Cyrus' engineers were free to select components based on efficiency and optimal performance, without consideration of cost. The accountants were likely horrified, but the uncompromising quality of the products in the XR series speaks for itself. In designing these products from the ground up, the engineers were able to create an exceptionally low noise platform, through power supply design, DAC optimization, component choice, circuit topology, as well as some more fundamental design approaches.

One of the driving principles behind the design of the XR series has been noise reduction. Tremendous efforts were made to protect and isolate the signal path from potential sources of noise. Another

significant area of focus was power supply design. Using only the best components, XR delivers outstandingly high quality and reliable power to every bit of the circuitry to ensure optimal performance. Last but certainly not least is the crucial DAC that reconstructs analogue signals with incredible accuracy and precision.

Naturally, the XR series also features a new aesthetic.  All products in the new XR series are wrapped in a new "Phantom Black" paint

Who are Cyrus & what is their XR Series?

Cyrus Audio, the British manufacturer known for designing and manufacturing premium Hi-Fi amplifiers, DACs and CD players, is proud to introduce their new XR series. The XR series is positioned towards discerning audio enthusiasts and, at its launch it will include six brand new products, including 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). Building upon more than a decade of cumulative research and development, the XR series catapults Cyrus products into a whole new level of sophistication and performance. 

Cyrus has nearly four decades of experience crafting award-winning products, designed and assembled entirely in-house at Cyrus in the UK. From the start, Cyrus’s mission has been to infuse the latest in technology with superb engineering to create ‘emotional’ musical experiences.

Whilst Cyrus pursues a continual improvement philosophy for all its products, many of its deeper engineering advances can only be applied in a ‘ground-up’ design.

A fundamental step change in design approach for XR series has been possible due to an accumulated understanding of DAC technologies and power supply designs, combined with Cyrus’s recently updated manufacturing processes and the availability of higher-grade components.

XR series, whilst faithful to the Cyrus core acoustic philosophy, provides remarkable sound quality benefits and substantially increased dynamic range, allowing every layer and nuance of the music to shine through. Indeed, the clarity and detail of the XR series will keep the listener wanting to go back and listen to tracks heard a thousand times before.