Cyrus One HD amp adds DAC and aptX HD Bluetooth

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It offers improved connectivity and upgraded components over the analogue-only Cyrus One.

Any Cyrus fan will probably recall the One amplifier launched in 2016, as its contemporary aesthetics marked a departure from the brand’s more typical, rather agricultural look. So why the One HD so soon, you ask? Digital inputs.

While the One has analogue connectivity (including a phono stage) and aptX Bluetooth, the One HD expands on that with extra optical, asynchronous USB and coaxial inputs, linked to a 32bit DAC. The Bluetooth connectivity has also been upgraded to Qualcomm’s aptX HD specification.

The MM phono stage, based on principles of the brand’s Phono model, is now on its own isolated circuit board - and Cyrus says every part of the amplifier circuit and linear power supply have been subject to a reworking. The in-house designed hybrid Class D amplifier, for example, has been upgraded to a fourth-gen example.

The HD One HD is priced at £999, compared to the £700 price sticker of its sibling. So with more features and – fingers crossed – an improvement in sound, could this be the amplifier to finally challenge the Rega Elex-R?

Becky Roberts
Becky Roberts
Freelance contributor

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.