Are modern Cyrus amps better than Cyrus 2?

[bretty]

I currently have the last generation Cyrus 2 (with the flip-up power switch). I have heard that it still takes some beating and will hold it's own against modern amps under the grand mark. I auditioned new Roksan, Denon and Marantz amps before buying the cyrus and I do feel it had them all beat. However, are the newer Cyrus amps better than the classics? If so, which one(s) would be an improvement on the Cyrus 2?

All help appreciated.

 

Bretty 

 

[Clare Newsome]

Word is that Cyrus is planning some new amps - with more news/previews due at the Bristol Show later this month

 

[bretty]

Thanks for the reply, Clare. I will look out for the new models.

Are the existing models an improvement over the Cyrus 2, though?ÿ

 

[Messiah]

I would really hope so!!

Given how much new Cyrus amps are and how much you can get the old ones for there could be a lot of people wasting a lot of money!!

However, I have not heard the Cyrus 2 so could not say but I would really expect them to be...

 

[the record spot]

Clare Newsome:Word is that Cyrus is planning some new amps - with more news/previews due at the Bristol Show later this month

Let's hope they don't shred yer speaker cable then... *Cough*

 

[tonky]

I have listened extensively to a cyrus 2 (no psx),pioneer a400 rega brio 3 and a cambridge audio 840a v2 - all at home and the cyrus,although a very good amp, proves the hardest to live with.

The 840A v2 is the best sounding. In another league to be honest.

cheers tonky

 

[JoelSim]

Well my old A-400 is at my dad's, and whilst it was a good amp, it's nowhere near the Arcams I have at the moment, unsurprisingly.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

I asked this question to cyrus itself with e-mail, and the answer whas that it will be a significant diferance between the new and old model.

I have a cyrus two myself, and i want to have a new amp.

If i get the stories right it will be a roksan caspian, or a cyrus 8 v2.

 

[bretty]

tonky:
I have listened extensively to a cyrus 2 (no psx),pioneer a400 rega brio 3 and a cambridge audio 840a v2 - all at home and the cyrus,although a very good amp, proves the hardest to live with.

The 840A v2 is the best sounding. In another league to be honest.

cheers tonky

The Cyrus is a different beast with the PSX. There's more bass, transparency and openness. Without it, it sounds a bit closed in and overly bright, so I can understand your opinion, Tonkyÿ

 

[bretty]

Duboracle:
I asked this question to cyrus itself with e-mail, and the answer whas that it will be a significant diferance between the new and old model.

I have a cyrus two myself, and i want to have a new amp.

If i get the stories right it will be a roksan caspian, or a cyrus 8 v2.ÿ

Did Cyrus tell you in what areas the new amps are an improvement?

I like the look of the new caspian amp, with the industrial looking faceplate.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Not that, but i am totally awary that there will be more brightness and crearaty in the sound image.
If you have the money for it, and good loudspeakers with it, it will make a big diferance, i am sure of that.

 

[Anonymous]

The Cyrus 2 with the PSX was a very hard to beat combination for the money. (Sorry Equal!)

I found the music harsh and tiring without the PSX unit, but Cyrus separating the Power Supply from the Pre-Amp and putting in 4 x 15000uf caps made a huge difference.

The only significant improvements to make to the PSX unit is to replace the eight stock diodes with Schottky ones and by pass the reservoir caps. Speed, timing, clarity, depth all improve again.

If you are more bothered about how good the music is and less by having the latest offerings I know which route I would take.

 

[bretty]

trevor79:The Cyrus 2 with the PSX was a very hard to beat combination for the money. (Sorry Equal!)I found the music harsh and tiring without the PSX unit, but Cyrus separating the Power Supply from the Pre-Amp and putting in 4 x 15000uf caps made a huge difference.The only significant improvements to make to the PSX unit is to replace the eight stock diodes with Schottky ones and by pass the reservoir caps. Speed, timing, clarity, depth all improve again.If you are more bothered about how good the music is and less by having the latest offerings I know which route I would take.

So you think upgrading my existing amp/PSX will be the way to go? I'm all for that. It's all about the tunes for me, I don't care that the Cyrus is pig-dog ugly.

Trevor, do you have any idea how much the udgrade would cost, ballpark, and any companies that upgrade amps?

 

[Thaiman]

Cyrus 2! Don't you found it bright? The 7 is a lot better and that was 8 years ago....

 

[bretty]

It's on the bright side of neutral, but that's what i'd prefer over warm, which i can't stand.

 

[Anonymous]

Well the diodes are a straight replacement with Schottky 50 SQ 100's, buy them from Farnells about £1.30 each x 8.

And you want 4 x Clarity Cap SA MKP 630VDC 4.00uF (£5.40 eack)polypropylene film Capacitors which just solder across each 15,000uF reservor Cap.
http://iplacoustics.co.uk/ipl_crossover_components.htm

Simple job with a soldering iron, nothing technical to do at all.

 

[Anonymous]

Suppose there isn't much to lose if it's an old amp.

Unless you get electrocuted!

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Yep, unplugging first and keeping your fingers away from transformer connections is a very good idea...

 

[Anonymous]

I will buy today the new cyrus 8 v2, and i have the same cyrus 2 plus psx as you.

It will be a significant diferance whas said by a cyrus spokesman on e-mail.

The technologie is totally diferend he said with diferend components ed.

I will post my findings, just wait.

I dont buy the roksan caspian, i read some bad news about it and the sound image maybe also some colored to.

Do i understand that the other guy is busy with the power supply ?

That it again will make a big diferance ? i believe it.

You can make a totally new power supply if you have some understanding of electronics.

Wack in as mutch capicitators as can be, with a very big transformer or transformers.

Diodes alone are not enough, you must have a ............ to. ( I dont know how its called in englisch )

Never mind

 

[bretty]

Duboracle:
I will buy today the new cyrus 8 v2, and i have the same cyrus 2 plus psx as you.

ÿ

It will be a significant diferance whas said by a cyrus spokesman on e-mail.

The technologie is totally diferend he said with diferend components ed.

I will post my findings, just wait.

I dont buy the roksan caspian, i read some bad news about it and the sound image maybe also some colored to.

ÿ

Do i understand that the other guy is busy with the power supply ?ÿ

That it again will make a big diferance ? i believe it.

You can make a totally new power supply if you have some understanding of electronics.

Wack in as mutch capicitators as can be, with a very big transformer or transformers.

Diodes alone are not enough, you must have a ............ to. ( I dont know how its called in englisch )

ÿ

Never mindÿ

ÿ

Well done for getting the new amp. I'll be interested to read your thoughts when you've compared it to the Cyrus 2.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Me too. Would make a great article inm the mag if you ask me... a refurbed Cyrus II with it's power supply versus the new 2009 equivalent.

 

[Anonymous]

And i am very glad that i bought it today second hand.
All ok, and brand new.

Wel, the sound of the cyrus 8 v2 compared with the cyrus two with psx is a great diferance indeed. It sounds just like the cyrus two, but the sound is even more clearer and detailed, also more deep bass around the 40 to hz, and more upper high. Just like the frequence responce drops at 16000 hz with the old cyrus two, but with the cyrus 8 v2 it keeps running at the same volume in these regions. Just one strait line in frequence responce as should be. Because of that you will hear more tape noice, but modern recordings have no noice in any way. Stupid suggestion but it speaks for itself. The sound is even more crisp, and more detailed, but the sound reproduction is in the same natural way as the cyrus two. Its the same diferance (so to speak)between these two amps you can have with updating your loudspeakers with good filter coils and capicitators. This can mean a great diferance to, if the loudspeakers are good too. More cleary, less foggy sound reproduction. With good loudspeakers the investment is truly paying of. The weak link in hifi is mostly loudspeakers, thats where the important thing happens, it will get noice.

 

[bretty]

Thanks for posting the review. It's what I was hoping for, that the new gear didn't change the characteristic sound of the '2', but improved on it's strengths.ÿ

Looks like i'll be having a home demo of the 8vs2, then.

Thanks again, Duboracle.ÿ

 

[Singingrazor]

Hi, I have joined the forum today to finish this post. I have brought 4 clarity caps and the diodes and will later be soldering them in.

It isn't quite so straight forward. The diodes are no problem. Desolder the old ones and pop the new ones in. However the clarity caps will take some thought and careful installation. Flying leads will have to be lengthened and some arrangement to mechanically secure them.

If anyone else does this you may be confused by the 5 pin arrangement of the four 15000ufd capacitors. However only 2 of the terminals are soldered to tracks. The rest go nowhere.

I will report the results later.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Singingrazor]

Hi all,

Everything went well. The 8 new diodes are in and the bypass caps are in. Instant difference.

I didn't think it would make such a difference. But the highs seem to be to be much clearer. Overall the clarity has improved a lot.

I will expect things to improve further with some burn in time. Really worth every penny and the time.

To extend the flying leads on the caps I used 1.5 mm single core and double insulated the joint with heat shrink tubing.

Very happy.

Thanks Trevor.

post script. Don't forget to drain the big caps before you open the psx. I turned the amp off at the mains and let it play until the resevour drained out.

about 6-7 seconds.