Brightness and Demos

[admin_exported]

Hi All,

Just wanting some advice..

Firstly my system consists of Cyrus 7 (used as pre) Cyrus Mono Blocks, NAD CD Player and Bowers and Wilkins CM4s.
I am using Atlas Titan cable between CD and Amp. Silver high breed speaker cables

The mono blocks were a huge upgrade in sound for me and quickly realised i needed a new CD Player. My system has always been bright and wanted to get away from this.

I have on demo a Bryston BCD-1 and Roksan Caspian M2 CD Players. They both sound packed with detail and massive difference to my NAD. Apart from the brightness they sound good in all other areas.
My problem is that both of these are sounding bright like my previous NAD CD player and wondering why. Could it be Cyrus 7 i using as a pre amp or my B & W Speakers. .

I not sure which way should turn. Should i be upgrading a different component? Know the source is very important, but don't want to make mistake. Any ideas, advice would be very appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi didge001

Before changing your cd player i'll suggest in the first instance looking at a dedicated pre amp. Ime Cyrus pre amps or those in their integrated amplifiers and DACs are not up the geting the best from their power amps (particularly the mono blocs). If you are happy to consider used components then the superb NAD C160 or even Rotel's RC995 are significantly better pre amps and with their robust output stages they'll firmly grip your Cyrus power amps. With the C160 or RC995 connected to your Cyrus mono blocs you'll hear a far smoother presentation, with greater body, resolution, depth, scale, dynamics and control.

Btw, i'll also recommed using standard interconnect and standard OFC speaker cables.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Rick

Thanks for the good advice. I was thinking about picking up a second hand Cyrus Pre Vs2.

Do you know anything about these pre amps as second value seems good. Just wondered if i would have the same problem i am having with my Cyrus 7? Wondered if these will control the mono blocks the way they should be?

Anyhow will investigate the pre amps you suggested.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I think Rick is implying that part of the brightness is being caused by your preamp, so changing to a different brand will help.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Grottyash, i hear what your both saying.

Just was wondering if the As the Cyrus 7 was an integrated amp that I'm using for a pre amp, a dedicated pre amp might be better. thought might have different components.

Any other suggestions that are good buys on second hand market.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

didge001:
Rick

Thanks for the good advice. I was thinking about picking up a second hand Cyrus Pre Vs2.

Do you know anything about these pre amps as second value seems good. Just wondered if i would have the same problem i am having with my Cyrus 7? Wondered if these will control the mono blocks the way they should be?

Anyhow will investigate the pre amps you suggested.

Thanks

Hi didge001

Your welcome.

A dedicated pre amp such as the Pre vs2 will offer an improvement over the pre amp stage of the 7 integrated however pre amplifiers such as the NAD C160 and Rotel's RC995 are still better. I also feel the C160 and RC995 offer far easier loading for source components and their robust output stages will firmly grip and happily bounce the Cyrus monoblocs around the room. Ultimately the C160 or the RC995 will also offer a far more listenable presentation

Btw, you should find good used units of the C160/RC995 for around £175 (which should be less then a Pre vs2).

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

A PreVS2 will bring about a world of change. Integrated amplifiers usually make adequate stop-gap pre-amps, but not great long term ones. Cyrus' dedicated pre/powers are far smoother than their integrated amplification, especially theolder stuff. But don't underestimate the pre-amp's effect on the system as a whole - even better would be to look at their newer PreXP or PreXPD, which are extremely detailed and revealing.