Cyrus 8 XPD

Further Information

The Cyrus 8 XP d is a high performance stereo amplifier featuring an on-board DAC.

Features of the 8XP d include
• High performance pre-amplifier based on the X series DAC XP design.
• 6 analogue inputs
• 5 digital inputs
• 2 x 70 W power amplifier
• On-board high performance DAC
• The USB input allows connection of a computer to play files back through the on-board Cyrus quality DAC.
• Top quality LCD display and extensive user setup menu system.
• Zone two output, multi-source, multi-zone.
• 8XPd - Option to add the higher quality Qx DAC upgrade.
• PSX-R upgrade option

Interesting highlights
The multi-input digital board features a USB input for a computer. Anything that plays on your computer will sound stunning when played back through the ‘Cyrus quality’ DAC’s of the digital board. The Cyrus digital board uses a highly specified DAC and power supply arranged so that all connected digital sources benefit from the inherent high quality of the on-board DAC.

The Cyrus 8 XP d power amplifier is based around a new twin transformer power supply that allows separation of control systems and audio. The 350VA main transformer provides huge dynamic power and a stunning sound.

The front panel boasts a high quality LCD display for volume, the input selected and the set-up menu that allows you to configure your amplifier to work exactly the way that suits you.

Quick system suggestion
The CD8 SE is the logical CD player to match. These two units together represent probably the best value sound in the hi-fi world today. An alternative system option would be to choose the CD XT SE+ CD transport and order the amp with the optional QX DAC that up-samples all digital sources connected, for even better sound quality.

NB: Not all model variants are available in every market.

Technical Information

The XP platform is designed so that we can invest strongly one main project and derive several versions that benefit from this larger investment. The 8 XP d benefited from the core engineering invested to design the new Pre XP model. We then incorporate a new version of our highly dynamic 2 x 70 watt power amplifier plus a new twin transformer power supply to take advantage of new components that have recently become available. The twin transformers feed two separate power supply stages each with further sub regulation. The main 350 VA Toroidal transformer with 5 regulated rails is twinned with a separate toroidal transformer for control systems. The result will surprise customers new to Cyrus as they discover truly high-end performance from a surprisingly compact Cyrus die-cast chassis.
 
Because of these attributes the Cyrus Integrated 8 XPd is able to deliver remarkable performance.  70W into 8 is the conservative rating but the amplifier can deliver over 300 watts for short dynamic bursts of music. The performance is both very subtle yet powerful enough to convincingly replay large scale music such a major symphonic or powerful rock programs. In an age where compressed digital sources are popular, amplifiers capable of this dynamic urge are going to become increasingly important to the quality conscious music fan.

The 8 XPd is very well equipped; six analogue inputs, five digital inputs, a zone two output so you can play any source in another part of your home, Bi-wireable speaker terminals, headphone output with a good quality amplifier, Pre-amplifier output (for bi-amping), large clear high quality LCD screen, and a sophisticated control system with system remote control are all provided. Input sensitivity matching is also included. High quality power amplifier – Because the 8 XP d shares circuit and sonic compatibility with our wide range of power amps it has been possible to voice the integrated amp to match perfectly with our power amps, allowing customers to add a stereo amp and bi-amp loudspeaker that support this feature. The main power supply section incorporates the latest generation of components. Adding a second transformer allows us to separate sensitive low level analogue signals from digital and control systems and allows the amplifier to consume less than one watt when in standby. The result is a worthwhile cost and energy savings plus acoustic benefits that had not been possible in our previous designs. Advanced thermal management – Advanced thermal measurement techniques are employed by the computer control system of the Cyrus 6 XP so we can intelligently control the outer skin temperature of the casting, maximising the thermal performance available to the amplifier in any environment.

Options include

Adding a Qx DAC module.
This is a return to factory upgrade. The QX DAC card fits neatly inside the 8 XP and replaces the standard DAC. QX is a more advanced DAC with performance that should be considered to be between the CD 8 SE and our most advanced DAC X models. Initially it could be discerned that the difference is small because we have tuned the sound to be similar to other Cyrus components to preserve our sonic signature. However the subtlety and layering of instruments is better than the standard DAC. Given a longer audition you will hear that every element of the sound is improved by the QX DAC.

Adding a PSX-R power supply.
This is Cyrus’ most popular upgrade and can be customer fitted by simply plugging the supplied cable into the socket on the back of the 8 XP d. In fact we have sold more PSX-R’s than any other model. It provides a super smooth supply of DC power to the sensitive pre-amplifier audio stages of the 8 XP d. The effect is a marked improvement in bass and a better, more solid stereo image. Your retailer will be able to demonstrate this upgrade. We recommend you take along some discs your know well so you can hear just how big the improvement is.

Preamp output / bi-amping
Use the preamp section with one of the wide range of audiophile Cyrus power amps. They range from the popular 8 Power through to the breathtaking Mono X amps. Because they are designed with the same sonic tuning your Cyrus 8 will match perfectly with an additional power amp. Adding another power amp sounds better because you can drive the base and treble speakers separately. (Usually the new amp would drive the bass speakers). Your retailer can demonstrate this but in effect you are allowing each section of the speaker to work with its own ‘engine’ and this helps things sound much clearer. Please check your speakers support this option.

Construction
Enclosure - Cyrus Inverted die-cast chassis
Material - Lightweight magnesium alloy

Electrical
Line inputs
6 analogue
8 XPd - Digital inputs - 2 electrical SPDIF + 2 optical SPDIF + 1 USB Computer slave input 

Outputs
Zone 2 or tape
Bi-wire Loudspeakers
Tape-out
Preamp-out
Headphone

Internal power Supplies -
1 x 350 VA Toroidal transformer with 5 regulated rails, plus separate toroidal transformer for control systems

External - Highly regulated PSX-R upgradeable

Communications MC-BUS™ System BUS
Remote Control Supplied with Cyrus system remote control
Standby power consumption Less than less than 1W

 Specifications 8 XP & 8 XPd
Continuous Power - 115 W/CH (into 4 Ohms) 70 W/CH (into 8 Ohms)
Burst Power - 320 W (IHF, one channel driven into 1 Ohm)
Distortion - 0.002%, 1kHz (into 8 Ohms) 0.005%, 1kHz (into 4 Ohms)
Frequency Response - -3 dB, 0.1Hz and 100kHz
Damping Factor (1kHz) - 150
Input sensitivity (70W) - Line: 237mV
Input impedance - 40kOhm (RCA).
Output voltage - 237mV (Tape out), 480mV (Pre out)
S/N Ratio - 105dBA (ref. 40W)
Channel Balance - ±0.2dB (0dB to -63dB)
Volume control accuracy - ±0.1dB (0dB to -63dB)
Dimensions (H x W x D) -73 x 215 x 360 (mm)
Weight - 5.9 kg
Finish - Quartz silver or Brushed Black

Digital audio performance, 8 XPd model Pre-out
Input voltage - 500mV pk-pk
Input Impedance - 75 Ohms
Sample rate range - 32k – 96k
Audio formats - PCM stereo only
S/N ratio (Pre out, 0db FS) - Better than 100dba
THD+N (pre-out, 0db FS) - Less than 0.004%

QX DAC module
Input voltage - 500mV pk-pk
Input Impedance - 75 Ohms
Sample rate range - 32k – 96k
Audio formats - PCM stereo only
S/N ratio (Pre out, 0db FS) - Better than 100dba
THD+N (pre-out, 0db FS) - Less than 0.002%
Three additional high performance regulated power supplies,
Up-samples to 192kHz,
Factory trimmed quartz master clock for accurate re-clockin