Filling the void ?

[alchemist 1]

Having owned my Yamaha amp and sacd player for just over twelve years. (working fine)

I'm wondering if it's time to review new products to see if there would be notable improvement in sound quality.
Yes I know demo's will be required

In other words is it a long enough time gap to warrant a fresh investment ?

 

[Gray]

I don't think many here would say it's too soon - subject to your demos telling you that a change is worthwhile.

(Took me 20 years to make a change to my last amp - but I'm not typical).

 

[Friesiansam]

On the one hand I would say, yes, why not after 12 years. On the other hand, is there an aspect of their performance you are now dissatisfied with?

Upgraditis can be a dangerous thing!

 

[Integralista]

Hi, which Yamaha components do you use? Which speakets?

 

[RobSys]

Given the propensity of manufacturers for cutting costs, I'd say no...

I had an Audiolab 8000A integrated amp that lasted for more than 20 years. It was very good before it died. I replaced it with a Cyrus One amp about 3 years ago and already the volume control is very flaky and even the power switch fails to switch on occasionally.

If you're still satisfied with sound, why change? (Although upgrading your speakers might give you you a more significant sound quality boost...)

 

[Integralista]

Given the propensity of manufacturers for cutting costs, I'd say no...

I had an Audiolab 8000A integrated amp that lasted for more than 20 years. It was very good before it died. I replaced it with a Cyrus One amp about 3 years ago and already the volume control is very flaky and even the power switch fails to switch on occasionally.

If you're still satisfied with sound, why change? (Although upgrading your speakers might give you you a more significant sound quality boost...)

Hi, Cyrus is normaly famous for their reliability and high level of engineering. In case of amp One (last gen) they have learned a hard lesson going a class or two down. They tried to enter high populated 1000 eur integrated, which ment several quality and cost cuts. And this is result. I used old Cyrus One which was made to last and last. Like your Audiolab 8000A. My Cyrus One was replaced with Rega Brio, last version. Brio is very good, also reliable and good sounding, just without any digital. But this is OK for me. BR.

 

[RobSys]

Hi, Cyrus is normaly famous for their reliability and high level of engineering. In case of amp One (last gen) they have learned a hard lesson going a class or two down. They tried to enter high populated 1000 eur integrated, which ment several quality and cost cuts. And this is result. I used old Cyrus One which was made to last and last. Like your Audiolab 8000A. My Cyrus One was replaced with Rega Brio, last version. Brio is very good, also reliable and good sounding, just without any digital. But this is OK for me. BR.

Oh the Cyrus One still sounds brilliantly and the flaky volume control I handle with a Logitech programmable remote (the Cyrus remote is truly woeful; and their mobile app control is far worse) so I can still live with the beast. But(!) it shouldn't be necessary to have to go to such lengths... I'm not looking to replace it this stage though... I have been thingking of getting a Schidt semi valve pre-amp and coupling that to my old Audiolab power amp...

 

[Integralista]

NIce idea with valve or semivalve preamp. I was a valve freak for some 15 years. It was a nice time. I was a bit shocked when my czech made valve preamp Brassany br06 was connected to power stage of Rega Mira 2000. What a change! Truly a great amp. It sounded a lot better than Mira alone. May be, you could try to repair and upgrade your trusty Audiolab 8000A and keep it. I have here in Slovakia two friends making such repairs and also upgrades (small ones, big ones depending on budget) of good old hifi, amps, CD players etc. Was a shame to sell my old Cyrus One, I think I will keep it today, at least for son who is building his first hifi😆.

 

[RobSys]

My power amp is the Audiolab 8000P which I bought in 1993 - 100 W RMS per channel. It's still in good shape. I had the 8000A feedingthe tweeters and the 8000P feeding the woofers in a pair of Monitor Audio floor standers...

Sending an amp like the 8000A to Slovakia would be a rather expensive affair since I live out in the bush in Australia (some 400 km outside of a major city)...

 

[Integralista]

Yes, you are right, I think Australia is big, big. I wish to visit Australia one day. Now I see better your system, biamping your Monitor Audio speakers. Your choice of Audiolab biamp was very good. I think the best for will be too look for as good as possible active preamp (valve or tranzistor, not so important, just good one) If you find on ebay for example Rega Cursa, designed to drive Exon monoblocs, it will be good combo. Shiit Audio Freya+ or NuPrime AMG PRA preamps from new ones will be fitting here. It is shame Audiolab today is more about digital everywhere but solide amp construction is somehow missing. Also old Electrocompanient preamp will be good here. They are extremely well build and work some 30 years witout service...

 

[RobSys]

To travel from Sydney on the East coast to Perth on the West coast is some 4,000 km! Yep...! It is BIG!

Anyway, when the Cyrus dies I'll look into it...

But..., I might try using the Cyrus as pre and hook my 8000p in the loop... (mmm... thinking...)

 

[Gray]

Given the propensity of manufacturers for cutting costs, I'd say no...

That's a good point and one that any potential 'upgrader' should bear in mind.

Having opened up a few things over the years, I'm in no doubt that corners are increasingly being cut - not always the fault of the manufacturer - might be their parts suppliers - though that's no consolation to buyers of course.

No question that the volume control on my 20 year old amp has a far superior operational feel to it than on my current amp (both Cyrus with rotary encoders).
To their credit, Cyrus used the best courier service to speedily pick up and return, after they carried out a factory check for me.
Can't fault their service.
Bottom line though is that, between us, we came to the conclusion (naturally, sort of unofficial on their part) that that's the way it is 😕.

Not just Cyrus, people are criticising the feel of the Wiim Ultra volume control for example, though plenty justify it on grounds of cost. I don't.
It's true that digital volume controls use rotary encoders rather than the smoother analogue types with carbon tracks and wipers - but that's no excuse for digital controls getting worse over time.

So, as people have rightly suggested to the OP here.
Don't change just for the sake of change.
Ensure there's an audible benefit to any change.
If you do change, don't expect the longevity you may previously have experienced - though hopefully you'll be lucky on that score too.

 

[Integralista]

To travel from Sydney on the East coast to Perth on the West coast is some 4,000 km! Yep...! It is BIG!

Anyway, when the Cyrus dies I'll look into it...

But..., I might try using the Cyrus as pre and hook my 8000p in the loop... (mmm... thinking...)

Cyrus Pre shall work as well. I just realized, Adcom has returned back on the market, you can buy also new product from them. More here: https://adcom.com/. Adcom is one if real legends, hard to beat in sound/cost or quality/cost relations. If looking for a new powerhouse this will be a big champ. Even Nelson Pass has designed some amps for them in the past. In Australia you have probably hot sunny day, here it is raining some 16°C only here. Good to turn on hifi.😉