Cyrus CD8SE Problems - Quandry?

[admin_exported]

Hello all

Need some "objective" input to a issue I have concerning my new (just 3 weeks old) cyrus player.

Regrettably it appears that when the unit was shipped that it had an old version of software which is preventing the player from playing a couple of CD's and loading some others. I think the total I've come across so far is about 4. Compared with the ones it successfully plays this is really only a very small percentage - although I agree that it should play all cd's without a problem. I've been in contact with Cyrus and they believe it is the software and when they load the new software for me then this problem will disappear 🙂

However now another issue has reared its head - that is that the display froze on a track number with the pause symbol displayed whilst the disc carried on playing as normal. I've been in touch with Cyrus again about this and it seems that this is a "known issue" that they are currently looking into but are not sure when it will be fixed.

So here is my quandry, part of me absolutely thinks that it is just wrong that a CD player, which lets face it, isn't cheap (well not to me anyway) shouldn't be shipped/sold with a known issue or without making the purchaser aware of the issue before purchase. I expect it to work 100% and so on top of the other problem I've become quite disillusioned and now want a refund. On the other side of the coin is the audio quality, which I was completely and utterly blown away by when teamed up with my old Cyrus 1 amp and new Spendor S5E's. Question is, can I get the same audio quality for the same amount of money from another player (still being teamed up with my old amp for now and the Spendors)? Should I be at all bothered that the display doesn't function correctly considering that for the most part I am not interested in what it is displaying and can turn it off anyway? I note that there can be a sonic improvement obtaining from not having the display on in the first place?

Anyway let me know what you all think......I welcome your opinion...am just worried that a replacement player from another manufacturer just won't match the sound from the Cyrus and at the end of the day this is why I bought it to get the best quality sound I could for my budget!

Cheers all

 

[Anonymous]

You're buying from a pretty small, independent hi-fi company. It is unreasonable to expect them to pull a range of CD players because of a relatively minor software issue is unresolved. Car manufacturers do this all the time, and they have considerably more money to burn on R&D (or at least, did).

Imagine if the CD8SE had never made the light of day because the display froze once a month on a small percentage of units? Just doesn't make commercial sense, and (in my opinion) would be a significant loss.

While I agree that things should work for this sort of money, I for one would be pretty tolerant of 'foibles', unless it materially affected my enjoyment of using the kit. People don't buy Alfa Romeos because they are 100% reliable cars.

That's not to say that you shouldn't try to get it fixed once the relevant update is available!

 

[Craig M.]

on the other hand, if that were me i would want and expect it to be sorted immediately or exchanged for one that worked properly.

 

[Anonymous]

This is legacy technology at a premium price, therefore it should work. Perfectly. Every time. There is no excuse IMHO.

The display issue I would probably forgive, but not reading discs? That is its sole purpose in life.

 

[Anonymous]

ffiish:
You're buying from a pretty small, independent hi-fi company. It is unreasonable to expect them to pull a range of CD players because of a relatively minor software issue is unresolved. Car manufacturers do this all the time, and they have considerably more money to burn on R&D (or at least, did).

Imagine if the CD8SE had never made the light of day because the display froze once a month on a small percentage of units? Just doesn't make commercial sense, and (in my opinion) would be a significant loss.

While I agree that things should work for this sort of money, I for one would be pretty tolerant of 'foibles', unless it materially affected my enjoyment of using the kit. People don't buy Alfa Romeos because they are 100% reliable cars.

That's not to say that you shouldn't try to get it fixed once the relevant update is available!

Hi ffish

Many thanks for your opinion and points...which I think you have put over very well.

I think when I initially read the reply from Cyrus I was just sidelined. This is my first major purchase in the high end hi fi world and I guess I just wanted everything to run smoothly. They obviously have fixed the cd loading/playing issue and I am just unfortunate that my player has the old software. They have promised to turn it around within a week for me when they receive it and so you can't really ask for more than that I suppose.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Craig M.:on the other hand, if that were me i would want and expect it to be sorted immediately or exchanged for one that worked properly.

Hi Craig M

Just to make it clear, Cyrus have promised to have my player returned within the week with the new software that resolves the playing/loading issues. Apparently this was an issue from when initially launched that they corrected - seems I was just unlucky that my player got the old software in error.

The display issue is under review and they are looking for a solution...I was just initially shocked that there could be issues with players costing this much money

Cheers for your input

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

tractorboy:
This is legacy technology at a premium price, therefore it should work. Perfectly. Every time. There is no excuse IMHO.

The display issue I would probably forgive, but not reading discs? That is its sole purpose in life.

Hi tractorboy

The not reading discs is an issue they had when the player was first launched but this was resolved with a software update apparently. It would appear that somehow my player got loaded with the old software. As I said they have fixed this problem and I just need to send the player back to have the software updated.

I think initially the display error just knocked my confidence in the player even more, hence my initial reaction! Like I said I can turn off the display anyway and apparently this gives better performance? The sound from the player is IMHO outstanding and I've never heard anything like it before, but then again this is my first major purchase into the world of high end hi-fi and so hence the question re quality sound from other players for the same sort of money.

Thanks for your input - very appreciated

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

I've got the new software (1.7) after a return and it's never stuck on pause, if that helps.

For me, the sonic benefits far outweigh a, shall we say, quirky piece of software.

Customer service is great and ask personally, by phone, for a fast turnaround - mine went away and returned in 3 working days flat.

Turning the display off is meant to give greater clarity, although I've not experienced it myself. At least you won't see it sticking on pause!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Graham

Many thanks for your response...problem shared problem halved and all that!

I do think perhaps I flew off the handle a little...but they have indicated that there is presently no known fix for the display problem. However you seem to imply that you had the same problem and it has now gone? Was this with the loading/playing of discs or the display or both? I know the loading/playing has been resolved and will be sorted with the new software.

I absolutely agree that the sound quality is brilliant, a fact which I've never denied. Guess I just saw my backside when yet another problem came to light! To me, I've spent a huge amount of hard earned cash on this and I want it to be just so perfect for me and for when I show it off to my family/friends.

Cheers for your input.....here's to getting it resolved and getting back to hearing some amazing music again!

 

[Anonymous]

I think the machine has done that sticking once. The problem for me was the 'disc errors', which began on the known CD releases - e.g. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible. Then it began to play up on everything until nothing would load.

Also, wait for the machine to read the disc before pressing play.

 

[Anonymous]

Just an update to this post.....

Getting a brand new machine from the factory delivered to my local hifi shop by Friday. The production manager is testing unit over next 2 days to ensure reliability and the disc reading errors are gone.

Thanks to Bradley Aves at Cyrus for all his help and Ken ( HiFi Stereo - Sale, Cheshire) for organising a replacement machine rather than getting my old one back with new software loaded.

Let's hope my renewed confidence lasts.......

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

psej71:I've been in contact with Cyrus and they believe it is the software and when they load the new software for me then this problem will disappear 🙂
It may well do. Certainly the last unit I had, with version 1.7 of the software, was able to play discs that previous units did not. However, the unit failed after playing only a handful of discs.
However now another issue has reared its head - that is that the display froze on a track number with the pause symbol displayed whilst the disc carried on playing as normal.
I didn't see this fault on the 4 units I've had. But it adds yet another fault to the already long list of problems that the Cyrus "se" CD players suffer with.
part of me absolutely thinks that it is just wrong that a CD player, which lets face it, isn't cheap (well not to me anyway) shouldn't be shipped/sold with a known issue or without making the purchaser aware of the issue before purchase.
And you would be absolutely correct in thinking that way. A product sold to the consumer has to be "fit for purpose". My own experience with the CD8se leads me to believe that is is NOT fit for purpose and shouldn't really be available for purchase in its present form. The silly problems continue, when they should have been rectified long ago. Certainly, these problems can no longer be considered "teething troubles".
Should I be at all bothered that the display doesn't function correctly considering that for the most part I am not interested in what it is displaying and can turn it off anyway?
You definitely ought to be be. It should work correctly, and as described in the manual!

 

[SteveR750]

In fairness to Cyrus, it's apparent that some dealers did not respond to the original v1.6 --> 1.7 recall. My dealer did much the same thing, sent off a new one in stock (with the v1.6) which they had upgraded whilst I continued to play the originally purchased unit. Once the upgraded one arrived, they swapped them over for me. I have had no problems with unplayable discs (just don;t burn using itunes as sometimes it doesnt finalise properly and the player might not read them). The display on mine is fine too. As an ex Alfa owner I am well aware of the fine balance between enthusiasm and disappointment.

 

[Anonymous]

SteveR750:The display on mine is fine too. As an ex Alfa owner I am well aware of the fine balance between enthusiasm and disappointment.

And rust? Nice analogy. Bet you still love Alfas.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Steve...seems like that the problems will have disappeared with the new player...well let's hope so anyway....don't want to be getting disappointed too often!

Just as a matter of interest, I see you running a K2 amp in your set up and Spendors. How do you find this set up? I'm looking to replace my aged, (but much beloved), cyrus 1 amp and was contemplating the 6 or 8 XP to compliment the 8SE player. But then I see that the K2 is highly recommended with the cyrus players (and it's somewhat cheaper too!)

 

[Anonymous]

Graham_Thomas:I think the machine has done that sticking once. The problem for me was the 'disc errors', which began on the known CD releases - e.g. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible. Then it began to play up on everything until nothing would load.

Also, wait for the machine to read the disc before pressing play.

Thanks for your advice...just waiting on the new player now so I can check for myself that all is now ok.....

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Quenzer

Many thanks for your input which I must say I do agree with. Can't believe you've had 4 players with faults...that's really not acceptable and I just hope that these problems have all but been erradicated now. Lets hope so anyway

New player due today so keep you posted with how I get on

Thanks

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, keep us posted! Fingers crossed. However, it wouldn't leave the factory without a test.

 

[Anonymous]

Graham_Thomas:Yep, keep us posted! Fingers crossed. However, it wouldn't leave the factory without a test.

Hey

Just so you know the new player arrived as arranged on Friday. Been running in for past 3 days....no issues with any of the CD's whatsoever so that's good news. Haven't noticed any sticking with the display either - so fingers crossed it stays like this.

And as for the sound...well it's just as good as it always was. I am definitely loving it.....

Cheers

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Great news! It will be fine.

 

[Mike_Schmidt]

Im going to let you all in a secret about this SE technology compared to old. Phillips has not and no other company has ever upgraded there optic only the transport case by reducing jitter and making them out of fancy metal for the real high end. So in 20 years Cyrus is the only company that worked on and yes successfully upgraded the servo. Out of all the CD players out there some play absolutely everything no care how damaged or scratched the CD is, not so with this unit. The reason behind this is for accurate play back with no sloppiness during playback via the optic laser that is why red book and for the most part almost perfectly new CD's can be played. As for dual CD's and copy right protected well its how they are recorded that is why some, and only some newer CD's are not playing and freezing from time to time, it has to do with tolerances. What separates this machine apart from everything out there from Naim or Arcam is the tolerances which Cyrus designed this to play. When compared to machines that cost 5 times as much, this machine delivers a much more accurate sound no matter what the cost is, what comes into play from other manufactures is there tweaking on the motherboard and DAC's involved not the optic. Cyrus's four boxer when compared to even some modest priced players still outperforms, maybe not always in sound as we hear but technically speaking. That would be the XTSE and DAC X set up, which still cost way less than others we have seen tested.

 

[matthewpiano]

Hmmmm. You forget about all the work Rega has done for its CD players, and also the new audio specific S3 servo Cambridge Audio has developed for its machines.

Cyrus aren't the only firm out there developing the technology.

 

[Anonymous]

Seem to recall having the same issue many many moons ago on a Mission Cyrus DAC-3 (or was it 5?) - the one that you could add a complimentary DAC, and side-by-side the two were the width of a "standard" hifi box.

Also had similar problems with a "big name" CD / DVD player I had in the US, so it's not necessarily all Cyrus's fault. Surely there's some ISO standard or something all CDs are supposed to comply with? If, for any reason, a particular CD recording does not comply with that standard, then it's not all Cyrus's fault?

Not had any problems whatsoever (playing or loading) with my CD XT-SE bought about six to eight months ago. BUT wouldn't you know it? No sooner than I've bought the CD XT-SE and DAC-X than they come up with upgraded versions. Grrr!!!!!

Anyway, at least ddealing with a small company like Cyrus you got a response. Can you imagine the reaction and (lack of) customer service you'd get from some spotty iPod touting oik in one of the high street electrical retailers?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi I am now on my 5th CD8SE player in the past year due to swop sat 12 December at Audio T Bolton. The first one I got was full of distortion sent back horrible pit fall of being an early adopter. The second unit skipped but I put up with it for a while,drove me potty got fed up of it skipping returned to dealer for software update. No joy just the same, new unit no 3 very noisy main motor what a din. Unit no 4 started skipping back to Audio T. New unit 2010 model ok for 3 weeks now disc error and at times will not play. I am not holding out much hope on unit no5 it seem after a few weeks of use and a bit of wear takes place it will not play. The unbelievable bit of this is my dealer has been very understanding and loans me a CD6s and it plays all discs !!!!!!

There is no pleasure in trying to listen to my collection because you do not know what it's going to do next time you put a disc in.

A £1000 for a player that has so many problems is totally unacceptable. I have been a Cyrus fan for a few years now and have over £6000 worth of Cyrus gear plus £750 on Clearer audio mains leads. If this unit goes the same and I am sure it will I will trade it in along with the psxr, cut my very expensive losses and go for a Naim Cd5XS.

Cyrus needs to get this sorted quickly I would not recommend this player to anyone. What hi-fi gives the player a superb rating fair enough but they are not using it on a daily basis. With all the problems can the magazine confront Cyrus about this?

 

[Anonymous]

omegaman:I would not recommend this player to anyone. What hi-fi gives the player a superb rating fair enough but they are not using it on a daily basis. With all the problems can the magazine confront Cyrus about this?

Er, I use on a daily basis and would recommend this to anyone - teething problems notwithstanding - for the sound it is superb! It is up to you to 'confront' Cyrus - strong word btw, with your problems. They have always provided excellent customer service for me........