The Cyrus Power-XR and Cyrus Classic POWER are stereo power amplifiers aimed at listeners who want dedicated power amplification without moving to a full-width hi-fi chassis. Both models sit within Cyrus Audio’s familiar compact form factor, yet they are specified to deliver substantial output into common speaker loads and to provide the sort of system integration features that matter in a modern separates-based setup. Rather than presenting power amplification as a purely brute-force exercise, these amplifiers are built around a combination of current delivery, low-noise design, wide bandwidth, flexible inputs, and upgrade connectivity.
A compact approach to serious power amplification
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Power-XR and Classic POWER is their physical format. Each amplifier measures 215 x 75 x 355 mm and weighs 7.3 kg, placing them well outside the footprint of conventional full-width hi-fi separates. For owners working with limited rack space, desktop-adjacent systems, or a clean minimalist installation, that compact chassis can be a practical advantage.
The size does not mean these are lifestyle amplifiers with limited ambition. Both are transistor stereo power amplifiers with Class A/B output stages, and both are rated at 2 x 144 W into 4 ohms, 2 x 110 W into 6 ohms, and 2 x 87 W into 8 ohms. Those figures position them as compact amplifiers intended for proper loudspeaker-driving duties, not simply as companion boxes for easy loads or small-room background listening.
The manufacturer also states that the amplifiers have lower noise levels than previous models. In a power amplifier, lower noise can be important because the unit sits close to the end of the signal chain, directly before the loudspeakers. While the source and preamplifier define much of the incoming signal, the power amplifier must increase that signal without adding unwanted noise or instability. Cyrus specifies a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 100 dB for both models, reinforcing the emphasis on quiet operation.
Class A/B output stages and high-current capability
Cyrus has chosen Class A/B output stages for both the Power-XR and Classic POWER. Class A/B remains a widely used topology in dedicated hi-fi amplification because it can combine useful power output with controlled heat and practical efficiency. The design choice is especially relevant in a compact enclosure, where thermal behavior and power delivery must be carefully managed.
The stated ability to deliver high current to the load is another important part of the design story. Loudspeakers are not fixed, simple loads; their impedance can vary across the frequency range, and some models present more difficult demands than their nominal impedance suggests. A power amplifier with strong current capability is better positioned to cope with speakers that require more control from the amplifier, particularly when impedance drops or phase behavior becomes challenging.
The published output ratings show the same core power figures for both amplifiers across 4-, 6-, and 8-ohm loads. The Power-XR also gains higher specified output when partnered with the optional Cyrus PSU-XR external power supply: 2 x 161 W into 4 ohms, 2 x 121 W into 6 ohms, and 2 x 95 W into 8 ohms. That gives the XR model a documented expansion path for owners who may want to build the system in stages.
Wide bandwidth and low distortion specifications
The Power-XR is specified with a frequency response of less than 0.5 Hz to greater than 100 kHz at -3 dB. The Classic POWER is specified from less than 0.5 Hz to greater than 48 kHz at -3 dB. These ranges extend well beyond the conventional audible band, and while that does not automatically describe how an amplifier will sound, it does indicate a design with broad operating bandwidth.
A wideband amplifier can be attractive to system builders because it suggests the circuit is not operating close to its limits within the audible range. This may matter when partnering the amplifier with high-quality preamplifiers, DACs, or analogue sources where preserving signal integrity across the chain is a priority. It also reflects an engineering emphasis on speed, stability, and bandwidth rather than simply quoting power output alone.
Both amplifiers are specified with total harmonic distortion below 0.002% at 1 kHz into 6 ohms at two-thirds maximum power. As with all single-number distortion specifications, this should be understood as one documented data point rather than a complete performance description. Still, it supports Cyrus’s positioning of these models as low-distortion power amplifiers intended for revealing hi-fi systems.
Balanced and unbalanced inputs for easier matching
Connectivity is a strong practical feature of both amplifiers. Each model provides unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR inputs. The RCA input sensitivity is listed as 450 mV, while the XLR input sensitivity is 900 mV for 110 W into 6 ohms. Input impedance is 28 kOhm.
The availability of both RCA and XLR inputs makes the amplifiers easier to integrate into different systems. RCA remains common across a wide range of preamplifiers, streamers, DACs with volume control, and integrated amplifiers with pre-outs. XLR, meanwhile, is increasingly useful in higher-specification systems and installations where longer cable runs or balanced source components are preferred.
This input flexibility helps both models serve more than one kind of owner. A listener can use a conventional single-ended preamplifier today and still have the option to move to a balanced front end later. For a compact power amplifier, that is an important form of future-proofing.
Control features for integrated systems
The Power-XR and Classic POWER are not limited to basic signal input and speaker output duties. Both include a 12 V trigger input, which allows the amplifier to be switched on and off in coordination with another component. In a multi-box hi-fi system, that can make daily operation far more convenient, especially when the power amplifier is installed in a rack or placed away from the primary listening position.
Both models also include Cyrus’s proprietary MC-BUS control connection. For owners using other Cyrus components, this creates a path toward more coordinated system behavior. Separates can deliver excellent flexibility, but they can also become less convenient if every box must be operated independently. Trigger and bus-control features help retain the advantages of separates while reducing operational friction.
A USB port is included for firmware updates. That is a useful modern provision, particularly for products intended to remain in a system for many years. A power amplifier may seem less software-dependent than a network streamer or DAC, but update access still gives the manufacturer a defined route for maintenance or refinements where applicable.
Two versions with different upgrade paths
Although the Power-XR and Classic POWER share many specifications, they are not identical. The Power-XR belongs to Cyrus’s XR line and is designed to accept the optional PSU-XR external power supply. The Classic POWER belongs to the Classic line and provides a connection for the optional Cyrus PSX-R2 external power supply.
This distinction matters for system planning. The Power-XR’s published specifications show increased output power when used with the PSU-XR, making its upgrade path explicit in the figures. The Classic POWER also supports an external power-supply connection, giving owners of the Classic line a way to build around that ecosystem.
For many prospective buyers, the appeal is not only what the amplifier offers on day one, but how it can fit into a longer-term Cyrus system. A compact stereo power amplifier with external PSU compatibility can be introduced as part of a current separates system and later developed without replacing the main amplifier chassis.
Who the Cyrus Power-XR and Classic POWER are most suitable for
These amplifiers are best suited to listeners who want a dedicated stereo power amplifier in a compact chassis, especially those already using or considering Cyrus components. Their combination of RCA and XLR inputs makes them appropriate for both conventional and balanced preamplifier-based systems, while the 12 V trigger and MC-BUS connections will appeal to users who want cleaner day-to-day system operation.
They also make sense for owners who value an upgrade path. The Power-XR, in particular, has documented output increases when used with the optional PSU-XR, while the Classic POWER supports the PSX-R2 external supply. That gives both models a role in systems that may evolve over time.
They are less obviously aimed at listeners who want an all-in-one amplifier with source switching, streaming, DAC functions, or integrated volume control. These are power amplifiers, so they require an appropriate upstream component to control volume and source selection. They will be most attractive to buyers who understand the advantages of separates and want a compact but capable amplification stage within that architecture.
Conclusion
The Cyrus Power-XR and Classic POWER stand out for combining a compact British hi-fi chassis with Class A/B stereo power amplification, balanced and unbalanced inputs, low stated noise, wide bandwidth, system-control connections, firmware update access, and optional external power-supply compatibility. Their strongest documented qualities are flexibility, integration, and a clear path for system building. They are ideal for listeners who want a dedicated power amplifier for a separates-based system, particularly those who appreciate Cyrus’s compact format and want amplification that can fit into both present and future hi-fi setups.
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