Cygnus Zero Amplifier

$NZ 3495 plus shipping, with Russian tubes
$NZ 3795 plus shipping, with Western tubes (JJ / Electro-Harmonix)

The Cygnus Zero is an integrated amplifier utilising the same tubes and general aesthetics as our popular “Octantis” model, but with several enhancements. As such, it is our premium integrated amplifier.

The Cygnus has the a similar power rating and the same form factor as the Octantis, but with several advantages:

  • It uses a Fixed Bias topology, which allows extraction of all of the power from the output stage, instead of wasting some of it across a resistor
  • The Fixed Bias is implemented with our Traffic-light bias system, first implemented on our “Lyra” power amplifier. Setting the bias is as easy as turning an adjuster until the light goes green
  • For this design we have used gold-plated chassis-mount input sockets, gold-plated speaker terminals, gold screws and knobs, and black powdercoated steel transformer covers, together constituting our premium aesthetics package
  • In this amplifier we use an active feedback system for an effective zero output impedance, resulting in the amplifier having a vice-like grip on the speaker cones. The speakers will be exactly where the amplifier tells them to be, and nowhere else.

Features

  • EL84 push-pull ultralinear integrated amplifier 15 w RMS / channel
    Only 15 watts? Throw everything you know about power ratings out the window and come and listen. You will be very surprised.
  • moving-magnet phono stage
  • 3 x linelevel, 1 x phono input
  • Remote control (power, mute, input select and volume)
  • Tone controls : Bass 100Hz ±12dB, Treble 10kHz ±12dB
  • Speaker output terminals: 4Ω 8Ω

Specifications and Performance

Power: 15 watts/ch RMS both channels driven
Power Bandwidth: 18Hz-45kHz ±1dB
Sensitivity: 0.7 vrms for full power output (line level)
Distortion: See graph below
Output Impedance: Effective Zero
Negative Feedback: 6.5dB (See note Below)
Dimensions: 350(w) x 250(d) x 180(h)
Weight: 12kg
Power Consumption: 90w

About the Negative Feedback (NFB)
With audio amplifiers, it is usual practice to take a small amount of the output signal, turn it upside down, then feed it into the input. The idea is to subtract any distortion the signal may have picked up on the way through the amplifier.
This trick also lowers the amplifier’s output impedance, affording the amplifier greater control over the speakers.
Our philosophy is that too much negative feedback is a bad thing; while it can reduce distortion, it does so at the cost of blurring the transients, and making the sound less open, detailed and resolving. Those knolwedgeable on such matters may be surprised at the low overall NFB figure for this amplifier at 6.5dB.
The trick is to design an amplifier with just enough negative feedback and no more; by utilising a low-distortion topology so it’s not needed.
This reduced NFB, while opening up the sound and giving greater detail and clarity in the midrange, would normally come at the cost of reduced bass performance, if not for the output impedance cancellation used.
Our use of low overall NFB combined with output impedance cancellation truly offers the best of both worlds.

We rate our amplifiers power level as the level where the THD kinks upwards, rather than at the 10% point like some manufacturers.

Your Choice of tubes

This amplifier can be configured for and supplied with either Western (12AX7 + EL84) or Russian (6N2P + 6P14P)
The Russian tubes are all Military-grade New Old Stock (NOS) from the 70s and 80s.
The Western tubes are still in current production, but there are also Legacy tubes and NOS dating back to the 1950s, for those inclined to Tube-Roll.
The amplifier is supplied with a map showing which tube does what, to facilitate tube-rolling.

Your choice of Aesthetics

As with the Octantis, the Cygnus can be supplied with black or brushed aluminium front panel, gold, silver or black screws, and different styles of front panel knobs. Contact us to discuss options.

Warranty

Standard 2 years on the amplifier, 3 months on the tubes

With thanks to Tim Mellow and Peter Farrow at our Technology Partner English Acoustics – we have taken the ZOI topology from their article published in AudioXpress in May 2024