The brief for the Cyrus Audio 6 Power was to develop a versatile power amplifier based on the same circuit as the 8 vs2 integrated amp's power section. Cyrus wanted to offer an affordable power amp of Cyrus quality performance for Pre/Power or bi-amped audio systems. These applications would include both hi-fi systems and multiple amplifier systems, such as those for AV and multi-room, a valuable feature is music-sensing and MC-Bus for ease of control in a larger system.
Conservatively rated between 50W, the 6 Power will provide up to 80watts x 2 into 4 ohms. The compact chassis, occupying less than half the space of most equivalent "big-box" power amplifiers, is particularly easy to accommodate in a multi-amplifier system.
The 6 Power features a sophisticated music-sense circuit with microprocessor control. When the unit is set to low-consumption Standby, a high-sensitivity circuit will detect an incoming music signal and switch on the amplifier noiselessly ready for use. A precision timer in the control system will then hold the amplifier on for 10 minutes before resetting to a semi-Standby state. From this state, the amplifier can be wakened instantly, so that even subtle low-level background music or effects signals will not be lost as the amplifier exits standby. If music is not present for an extended period then the 6 Power will revert back to its true low-consumption standby state.
As an alternative means of power control when used in a Cyrus system, the 6 Power includes connection for the Cyrus MC-Bus system. In this case, the intelligence in the control system will detect that the user has chosen to use MC-Bus control and will de-activate the music-sensing control system.
For applications with systems where music-sense is not required and MC-Bus is not connected, the music-sensing system may be disabled, temporarily by holding the standby key down when first switching on the 6 Power's mains power, or permanently by moving a small jumper connector internally on the PCB.
The computer control system of the 6 Power also monitors the general status of the amplifier and can react quickly enough to protect it from accidental short-circuits, even when running at full power.
Because the main power amplifier circuit is based closely on the class-leading Cyrus 8 vs2 integrated amplifier, the 6 Power is a perfect match for the Pre vs2. It is also equally at home in quality multi-room/surround systems or matched for bi-amping to a Cyrus 6vs or Cyrus 8vs amplifier. Chain output sockets enables the input signal to be easily passed to further amplifiers for bi/tri-amping purposes or where many amplifiers are required to run from the same input signal for sound reinforcement in large rooms or halls.
The trademark low resonance, die-cast enclosure of the 6 Power has a myriad of advantages both electrically and mechanically. The integrated heatsink design enhances the thermal efficiency, allowing higher performance to size ratio. Additionally, the non-resonant nature of the alloy minimises micro-phonic effects, while its non-ferrous composition provides an effective shield from external electro-magnetic disturbances. This also eliminates coupling of the power transformer stray magnetic fields to the sensitive audio circuitry.
