Replace Marantz PM6005 with Used Cyrus?

[antandshar]

Hi, I've had my Marantz PM6005 for a couple of years now and was looking for something a bit more refined. I have the matching CD player and a pair of Dali Zensor 5s. I've always liked the look of the Cyrus amps, but they've been out of my price range until i noticed that used ones have become quite reasonably priced. I've also heard that they a quite forward with vocals, and that's where i find the Marantz to lack. It IS clear, but i like a forward sound and that's where it falls short for me personally.

My options are either the Cyrus 1,2,3 or 5. 1-3 are available for around £100-£150 on auction sites and i've been offered a 5 in mint condition with remote and boxed for £180. I have a Dac and a Phono stage ( CA640p) so that's not an issue. Any thoughts?

 

[macdiddy]

give it a try, if you find you don't like the "Cyrus" sound then you can always sell it on.

*dance4*

 

[manicm]

I don't know much about the 5, but I've heard recent Cyrus amps - they're not necessarily forward but they do have an exciting, clean, clear presentation - very precise. You must test with your speakers - but the 5 at 180 quid sounds like a steal. And Cyrus will still be able to repair it in the future - big plus.

 

[antandshar]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I think the Cyrus will be the way to go. The only problem i have now is that the Cyrus 5 i was offered has to be collected from the guys work, which is a chip shop in a rough area of Hull! That means i have no way of testing the amp or even seeing if it will turn on. I think i may have to use Ebay, at least i can be assured that if anything goes wrong i can claim through paypal.

That now narrows my options to the 3 series i suppose, as this is the most modern? Has anyone heard one? Thanks again for any ideas.

 

[slice]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I think the Cyrus will be the way to go. The only problem i have now is that the Cyrus 5 i was offered has to be collected from the guys work, which is a chip shop in a rough area of Hull! That means i have no way of testing the amp or even seeing if it will turn on. I think i may have to use Ebay, at least i can be assured that if anything goes wrong i can claim through paypal.

That now narrows my options to the 3 series i suppose, as this is the most modern? Has anyone heard one? Thanks again for any ideas.

Papa's chip shop in Hull won the bbc "great british takeaway" award, if I remember right. Maybe the seller is a person of considerable refinement.

 

[Gray]

It would be a shame if you couldn't buy the 5 with confidence.

Someone describing an amp as being in 'mint condition' should have no problem with you asking to confirm that it's in working order prior to purchase - unless the area is really that rough!

Cyrus do make worthwile improvements with each subsequent model so go for the highest that you can. Bear in mind that those earlier models could be showing their age and be in need of a 'service'.

 

[antandshar]

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts. After googling the area on streetview, it's certainly not papa's fish and chip shop! not with the not with all the "custom" spray painting on the shutters! That said, he is advertising it a mint in box and fully working, but the thought of handing over £180 in cash and not knowing if it works until i get back to Cleethorpes is a bit of an off put. I have a total of £250 to spend on one at the moment.

 

[insider9]

My experience and my taste but I disliked Marantz PM6xxx/PM5xxx + Dali Zensor combo. Cyrus would be a good choice. If you manage get yourself a Primare I22. Second hand at twice your budget but it will be a keeper epsecially as it's a current model.

 

[antandshar]

Well! I'm sat with a pounding heart now having sat for 30 minutes watching an auction on Ebay for a Cyrus 8 integrated amp, mint condition with remote and boxed and i won! Wait for it....£236 The only issue is that it doesn't come with the power lead. Is this a kettle type? looks like one, although it seems to only have two prongs?

 

[drummerman]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I think the Cyrus will be the way to go. The only problem i have now is that the Cyrus 5 i was offered has to be collected from the guys work, which is a chip shop in a rough area of Hull! That means i have no way of testing the amp or even seeing if it will turn on. I think i may have to use Ebay, at least i can be assured that if anything goes wrong i can claim through paypal.

That now narrows my options to the 3 series i suppose, as this is the most modern? Has anyone heard one? Thanks again for any ideas.

First of all, don't feel pressured to do anything quick. S/H amplifiers will always appear on ebay and if you don't know what you're doing or are unsure about the non-bay seller, pass and wait til one pops up. You have an amp so there's no rush. This is especially important if cash is tight.

By all means, go and see the seller. You could ask him to plug it in quickly. Cyrus amps are quite hardy and if they light up properly, including the preceeding diagnostic light show ... input selector lights from left to right then volume leds all the way round followed by a green power led ... it's usually ok. I say usually but there could always be an exception. If he can't or won't demonstrate, why take the risk?

As to sound quality, as has been said, clear and open.

Cyrus user.

 

[mond]

Slightly off topic but I once sold a McIntosh amp unheard and unplugged in, I met the buyer in a car park at a railway station roughly half way between our houses (about 100 miles away) and I put the box in his boot and he handed over an envelope of money, can't remember how much but guessing it was £800 or so back then. Sounds crazy now but we both trusted each other, I had advertised it in a Hi-Fi mag when they still had classified sections in the back, and I imagine most people advertising in such publications were deemed as fairly trustworthy by nature. Everyone says you shouldn't have been so stupid when things go wrong but it always brings back your faith in humanity when it works out alright..... We need to have some trust sometimes.....

Anyway , enjoy your new purchase, always exciting to buy new Hi-Fi toys to keep us entertained

 

[Gray]

I did exactly what you're considering, went from Marantz to Cyrus - with no regret.

I owned a PM66KISig amp, which was great, but felt the need for an upgrade (as we do).

I had a home loan of Arcam, Roksan and Cyrus amps. All three amps had received best-buy reviews.

Not only was I surprised at how different they all sounded, but by how obvious the Cyrus (8) choice was.

I haven't heard either the PM6005 nor the Cyrus 5, but with the offer you've got I'd say don't think twice, go with the 5. I think you'll find a more sharply etched, faster sound with the Cyrus. Hopefully the increased clarity will give you the more 'forward' vocal sound you're after.

 

[Gray]

Couldn't be happier for you - I thought you may have needed at least the 5, but you got an 8. Great stuff.

I love the sound of my (silver) 8 and I think you're going to be more than happy with it. Stand by for your music to sound as exciting as music should. As far as I'm concerned, the description 'fast' just means right.

The amp uses BFA speaker connections. Cyrus supplied a set of plugs with it which screw onto the cable.

Hopefully the seller has included them, but if not you'll need to buy some. The mains is indeed just a standard IEC (kettle) connector.

Enjoy it you will.

 

[drummerman]

Consider adding a PSX-R in the future.

It'll lift SQ further.

I've been using an 8vs2 plus Regulated Powers Supply for some years now. Haven't heard that much better and I've heard a fair bit. Mind, I'm not that anal about Hifi

 

[Gray]

If so, what's your verdict?

 

[Vladimir]

Congrats on the good catch. *drinks*