What does the Classic Amp offer?
Contents
The Classic Amp offers a nice balance between hearing details and hearing a complete soundstage. While listening, attention quickly shifts from how it sounds to the music itself. Your reviewer had to call himself to order several times for forgetting to listen for review purposes, I was too immersed in the music.
The Cyrus puts the center of gravity in the middle of the stereo image. From that center, the music fans out. With the power supply connected, this becomes even more apparent, the stereo image grows. The image is separate from the speakers, facing you, which makes the involvement with the music great.
The Classic Amp is nimble and fast, but with just enough “oompf,” even in the bass. The amp does not sound warm, but it does sound rounded. The sound is not sharp or crisp, but certainly not a crackling fireplace. Again, Cyrus manages to strike a good balance.
The Classic Amp probably feels most at home with speakers that are tuned neutral to slightly warm. A speaker with easy and generous bass is recommended for those looking for some power underneath. The tuning of the Classic Amp is friendly enough to make it easy to find a matching speaker.
Good power supply brings everything to life
Adding the PSX-R2 power supply provides a pleasant surprise when listening to the first sounds. The amplifier does not change its character so much as it sounds much more mature. High notes sound more balanced and acquire an energy that is better balanced with the midrange. In acoustic instruments or in electric guitars and in the color of voices, it is easy to hear that the whole sounds a bit richer. It gives a pleasant weight to the sounds, more balance in the soundstage and more tranquility. It feels as if the amplifier delivers with greater ease the dynamics the music demands.
Connecting the PSX-R2 power supply is simple. Attached to the power supply is a cable with a connector that fits into the Classic Amp only one way. When you turn on the Classic Amp, it automatically turns on the power supply. You hear a few clicks inside the Amp and then it is optimized to use the power supply. The other way around works just as easily. If the power supply is off, the Amp automatically discovers that and adjusts itself. It really is “fool proof,” for which kudos!
There are enough analog and digital inputs to connect a range of equipment. A Phono MM for a turntable has also been implemented. Furthermore, the Classic Amp has options to configure it to easily integrate with an AV receiver.
Cyrus has its own system for allowing different Cyrus components to communicate with each other. A connection labeled “MC Bus” is available for this purpose.
Special mention should be made of the volume control, which is very fine. The volume is adjusted in small increments, allowing for precise and seamless control. A slightly less positive mention deserves the remote control, which is counter-intuitive. A walk from your sitting position to the amplifier is healthy, shall we say.
