Cyrus Pre 2 DAC QXR

Moving to a separate pre-amplifier and power amplifier offers another level of refinement to enthusiasts looking to upgrade from an integrated amplifier, or those looking to build a reference-grade system. A two-box set up enables the pre and power amplifiers to be run by separate power supplies resulting in a cleaner signal as the inductive effects of the large currents in the power amplifier are isolated from the sensitive components of the pre-amplifier.

The Pre2 DAC - Philosophy 

The Pre2 DAC separates the pre amp into its own chassis and provides a dedicated power supply which means the pre amp can resolve more detail. Complete with a built-in DAC, the pre amp is compatible with a very wide range of sources such as CD players, streamers or your TV digital audio out.

The Pre2 DAC offers a sonic step up in performance from our integrated amplifiers. This is achieved because the pre amplifier circuitry has its own power supply. The internal power supply provides isolation from the demands of other system elements, making available an additional level of dynamics and resolution. The digital section also sounds better for the same reasons, especially when used with the optional Qx card, the audio quality rises further still.

If a PSX R2 is connected, owners will hear a large jump in performance as the PSX R2 feeds the pre amp with a highly regulated and super smooth DC feed. The sonic uplift from the PSX R2 means the close tolerance components in the pre amp can be fully appreciated as they now benefit from the smoother supply.

The Pre2 DAC includes a carefully designed top quality digital section built into the pre amplifier with a Burr Brown 24-bit/192k DAC and a carefully designed power supply. With 5 digital inputs that enable the amplifier to connect and clearly improve the sound of connected digital sources including; your computer, DVD player, TV and many other digital sources.

In the QXR version, in which we use a new ESS-based DAC, as well as allowing input resolutions up to 32bit/ 768k, we have also introduced a new ‘reclocking’ process across all the digital inputs. This substantially reduces jitter and lowers the noise floor, as well as allowing a much shallower filter slope than ever before. This process virtually eliminates phase interference in the audible band (an approach only previously possible with noisy FPGA DAC solutions).

The Pre2 DAC is designed to be partnered with one of our matching power amplifiers such as the X Power, Stereo 200 or Mono X 300 Signature. Build your system with a CD i or CD t and a Stream X Signature or Stream Xa for an exceptional music experience. Add a dedicated power supply such as the PSX R2 to further enhance the pre amp’s resolution.

The Pre2 DAC QXR is a standard Pre2DAC with the new QXR digital card pre-installed. This new card improves the sound quality across all the digital inputs, increasing the possible input resolution to 32bit/ 768k (DSD 512) through the USB connection. Using a new ESS-based DAC, we have also introduced a new ‘reclocking’ process across all the digital inputs, to reduce jitter and lower the noise floor, as well as allowing a much shallower filter slope than ever before, virtually eliminating phase interference in the audible band (an approach only previously possible with noisy FPGA DAC solutions).