Cyrus CD transport v Cyrus CD Player

[5cats35]

I curently run a CD8SE+ which will soon be connected to a DAC XP and X Power through Spendor A5's. As there would be an external DAC on the my system would it be better to go with a CD transport rather than my CD8SE+? I am able to pick up a CDXT a a good price.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[SteveR750]

Not sure if this helps, but when I auditioned the Cyrus systems about 6 months ago, I recall that one of he biggest gains was using a PSXr (if thats its correct name, almost Japanese is their unmemorable component names) power supply into a the xte transport.

 

[eternaloptimist]

I am a Cyrus fan and frequent cyrusunofficial.co.uk a lot. Opinion seems to be divided on the question as the CD8SE seems to have been something special. Most posters if they have a DACXP+ veer towards using a transport only. But what would I know as I haven't heard them compared! 😀

 

[datay]

Cyrus certainly intend the XT to be used as transport with DAC XP+. I was going to suggest trying the 8SE both analogue and digital into the DACXP+ (it takes analogue doesn't it?) seeing as you're about to own it anyway to see the difference between 8SE as player and transport, then audition the XT and see if that difference is worth it, but it sounds like you've seen an XT at a good price that may not hang around for long. In which case, it's a tough call, you can always factory upgrade later though if you stick with 8SE.

Best of luck!

 

[jockey.wilson]

I assume the CD XT is a Servo Evolution (SE)? Its not obvious from your post.

I have listened to an 8SE and XT SE (non plus version) back to back through my previous Cyrus 8 XPd (non-Qx version). The difference was obvious when both used as transports only via digital connection - the XT SE was superior (just).

I now have an XT SE+ and Pre XPdQx. I would have thought your superior DAC XP would have made the difference even greater. Why not get the 8SE upgraded to an XT+? You get a new 2 year warranty for relatively little outlay.

 

[Anonymous]

jockey.wilson:
I assume the CD XT is a Servo Evolution (SE)? Its not obvious from your post.

I have listened to an 8SE and XT SE (non plus version) back to back through my previous Cyrus 8 XPd (non-Qx version). The difference was obvious when both used as transports only via digital connection - the XT SE was superior (just).

I now have an XT SE+ and Pre XPdQx. I would have thought your superior DAC XP would have made the difference even greater. Why not get the 8SE upgraded to an XT+? You get a new 2 year warranty for relatively little outlay.
i agree totally with you i think you have hit the bullseye,j-w

 

[Frank Harvey]

When the CDXTse came out, all those with CD8's at the time that borrowed the CDXTse to try in their own system at home brought it back and placed an order for an CDXTse or brought their player in to upgrade to a CDXTse. With a product as revealing as the DACxp, it's quite difference.

ANd agreed on the PSXR's. When setting up for our open evening a couple of weeks ago, I set up the Reference 207/s's with the X300 monos and CDXTse+/DACxp+, initially with no PSXR's just to get the system up and running. I then plugged in the PSXR's and couldn't believe the difference it made. I've heard the differences before adding them, but the difference it made (for £1k on a £20k system) was staggering.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just swopped my Cyrus 8vs2 for a Cyrus 8xpd Qx amp. Looking at this thread, should I be considering connecting my CD8x through the digital/optical out to the amp as opposed to via analogue cables? If so, any suggestion on the preferred make of cable? Should I be doing the same then with the DAB8 tuner (as it has a digital out)? Thanks.

 

[unison]

it is a matter of taste but connecting both cd player and radio digitally through the amp will be an improvement, no question. you are turning your cd player into a transport, using a more expensive off board DAC in the amp

 

[unison]

5cats35:

I curently run a CD8SE+ which will soon be connected to a DAC XP and X Power through Spendor A5's. As there would be an external DAC on the my system would it be better to go with a CD transport rather than my CD8SE+? I am able to pick up a CDXT a a good price.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Don't buy an XT, keep the 8se, but buy a PSX-R instead (they go for around £250 secondhand). The SE models are a big jump compared to the XT. But of course turn the 8SE into just a transport by connecting it digitally to the DAC XP

 

[datay]

adam cox:
I've just swopped my Cyrus 8vs2 for a Cyrus 8xpd Qx amp. Looking at this thread, should I be considering connecting my CD8x through the digital/optical out to the amp as opposed to via analogue cables? If so, any suggestion on the preferred make of cable? Should I be doing the same then with the DAB8 tuner (as it has a digital out)? Thanks.

Yes, why not? Why pay more for the Qx module but not use it, it says it improves "all digital inputs". I can't recommend a cable - usually caveats, if you're "into" cables then shell out for the latest award-winning digital coaxial cable, if not then one that does the job. A cheap one is a very small price to pay to check out how your CD8 and DAB8 sound through the Qx - at the very least give it a go. You could always return the cable after 7 days.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your feedback. As you say, I might was well buy some cables and give it a go (small price in the scheme of things!).

 

[unison]

having moved my way from a 6s connected digitally to an 8xpdqx to now running an xtse2 into a dac XP I would echo much of what is said. get a secondhand psxr for the cd player. if you have a dac XP connect to it digitally whatever cdplayer you have. if you have an 8xpdqx do the same, but the difference with an 8se is quite small, perhaps a matter of taste. otherwise it is a night and day in my opinion

 

[DandyCobalt]

When connecting from Cyrus CD transport to the amp/pre-amp via digital connection, is there any preference/difference whether it should be via a coaxial cable or an optical cable?

 

[WinterRacer]

To provide an alternative view, I've recently sold my XT-SE as into a Cyrus DAC X, I couldn't hear any difference between it and a Squeezebox Touch.

Sorry if this is teaching you to suck eggs, but do make sure you can hear a difference (perhaps blind tested) before spending significant sums upgrading from your CD8SE.