Cyrus I9-XR

The i9-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.

XR DIGITAL PERFORMANCE
The DAC input stage of the i9-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.

PSU-XR PORT
The i9-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 PSU-XR raises the bar by sourcing no less than five independent regulated supplies in a single box. For the i9-XR a pair of these are assigned to provide ultra-smooth power for the preamplifier, and a second pair to provide a huge dynamic boost for the power amplifier.

ALL NEW ANALOGUE PREAMPLIFIER
Derived from the new high-end Pre-XR preamplifier, the i9-XR analogue preamp features relay input selection and a new high-performance gain stage. This short-path design makes the analogue preamplifier extremely transparent. With four analogue inputs and phono MM, the i9-XR will cover just about any system requirement for analogue connectivity

POWER AMPLIFIER
The wideband power amplifier of the i9-XR responds from DC to beyond 100kHz ensuring ruler-flat frequency response and keeping any undesirable phase shifts out of the audio band. With a generous, over-specified power supply the i9-XR power amplifier is very capable of reproducing the scale and drama of the musical performance.

LOW NOISE PHONO STAGE FOR VINYL
Inheriting many design features of the award-winning Phono Signature, the phono stage in the i9-XR performs at a level way above its class. Featuring low background noise and high dynamic range, the phono stage is a perfect complement for a quality vinyl turntable source.

All things considered, the i9 XR is a spectacular amp. Barring the standard Cyrus connection foibles, it barely puts a foot wrong across its considerable functionality. It takes everything that the i7 XR does and adds an effortless extra level of heft and power that make this an intoxicating amplifier to use and live with. It’s comfortably the best Cyrus integrated amp I’ve ever tested and an easy Best Buy as a result.