unsleepable said:
But don't amplifiers require maintenance? Apparently, condensers dry out with time—and there are other tasks to be performed. My brother works in this, but with professional audio rather than Hi-Fi equipment. I understand that Cyrus also offers maintenance for their own amplifiers. And I think I read somewhere that they recommend their amplifiers to be serviced every 10 years.
The Cyrus 8vs2 model was launched in 2006 or earlier—at least it won a What Hi-Fi award in 2006. The 6a model is from 2012. They are 6 years and two generations apart—I believe that there were at least the XPs in-between.
Even if Cyrus has not made any technological advances in 6 years, do you think that the 8vs2 may be close to requiring maintenance, or that this is not really necessary? And there is another thing I've always wondered about… Is there any differences between the Cyrus 6 and 8 series, apart from the power and the upgradability options—which are clearly restricted depending on the model?
Electrolytes will eventually need replacing. Their 'life span' is usually quoted in working hours by manufacturers but these are often just guide lines there to give the manufacturer some protection in case of 'come back' and usually refer to professional or other worst case scenarios where components are stretched to the limit. Not your typical domestic, well engineered amplifier.
You will find amplifiers and other electronic components decades old with no obvious degradation to parts. Its more likely things such as speaker protection relays will eventually give up ... cyrus don't use them.
But you are right, having a new model with warranty will give some peace of mind.
In my experience though, it is far more likely a new factory fresh component will fail quickly than an amplifier that has been working well for a few years. - Still, buying second hand has it's risks.
As to the differences between the 6/8 series; Both have the same circuit layout, pre-amp and output devices. The differences are in the power supply where the larger of the two models uses a more substantial transformer and power supply capacitors. The option to add a PSX-R is, as you identified correctly, also only available on the 8. I think the possiblity to trim input levels for different sources is available to both.
If you only ever listen at low levels you probably don't need the 8 but even there, dynamic musical peaks will be served better by the larger amplifier and the PSX-R will aid transparency and further improve dynamics.
These are lovely, 'musical and engaging' amplifiers which portray tonal shading and timbre well but don't rip everything apart (pardon the pseudo reviewer language), not in the mould of some of the more stilted and 'correct' ones. By that I mean they do the ebb and flow of the music well. They also measure good.
Finally, yes cyrus do service most of their old components provided parts are still obtainable (careful with cd players). Its not cheap but if you have a well sorted system then spending £150 to £200 to get a serviced/repaired amplifier back could well be more economical than buying something else new.
regards