What Have I Done....Cyrus Out the Window

[Jason36]

As some of you know I have just demo’d a Cyrus 8XPD Amp and CD8SE with Spendor A5 speakers....Whilst I was out today I decided to spend three hours checking some other kit out and well my mind is now a muddle......

New kit tested included:

Kandy K2 amp and CD / Kandy Kaspian amp and CD / Moon 13RS Amp and Moon Equinox CD / Moon amp with MF A5.5 CD player all of these with a pair of Focal Chorus Floor standers (cant remember the model but they were £800).....Results were Varied.....

K2 amp and cd – I just found the bass too overbearing with a lack of cohesion across the soundstage.

Switching to the Caspian range improved things a lot the bass was more controlled and the soundstage more cohesive and controlled.

The Moon amp and CD saw a massive improvement and I was blown away....the soundstage sounded real and detailed with a strong but not overbearing bass. Vocals were clear and I heard things I have never heard before on my CD’s (mainly underlying vocals).

The Moon Amp and MF CD player were just to laid back for me and in some instances were a little bit too honest with the music, sometimes bring things to the front that really didn’t belong there.

So with this in mind I thought I would play with the speakers a bit.......

Moon Kit with Monopulses......nice speakers but the base was just a little too constant and overbearing.

Dali 5 floorstanders......Really nice, clear stoundstage and imaging with strong cohesion between the instruments and vocals. Bass was a little lacking sometimes but as a whole I knew it was there.

Then the shop assistant got me to try a £2,500 pair of Tannoy Dimension DC8’s......OH MY GOD!!! Amazing!! The sounstage and imaging were just beyond belief..this was the most realistic reproduction of the music of all the speakers...Bass and Midrange and Treble were all distinguishable and if I closed my eyes I would swear the band were in the room with me. The pairing of the Tannoys with the Moon kit worked a treat.

Now as for budget..... Well the Moon Amp and CD retail for £2,000 a piece.....these models were ex demo and so to me the cost is £990 for the amp and £1080 for the CD....Tannoys come in at £2,500 but I get 20% off so £2,000.....So all in all £4,070 excluding speaker cables and interconnects. Personally I think this is a bargain...bearing in mind this kit retails for a total of £6,500. Is this my first foray into high end systems??? And where will it end....Power amps, Phono boxes and turntables????

 

[JoelSim]

Jason36:Well the Moon Amp and CD retail for £2,000 a piece.....these models were ex demo and so to me the cost is £990 for the amp and £1080 for the CD....Tannoys come in at £2,500 but I get 20% off so £2,000.....So all in all £4,070 excluding speaker cables and interconnects. Personally I think this is a bargain...bearing in mind this kit retails for a total of £6,500. Is this my first foray into high end systems??? And where will it end....Power amps, Phono boxes and turntables????

Snap it up but don't forget to budget for cables, allow another £400 with a system of this quality. Upgrades include power amp, music streaming paraphernalia, mains leads and conditioner but don't have to be bought yet. Forget the Cyrus and go with what sounds good to you.

 

[Craig M.]

i haven't heard the equinox cdp, but the i3rs is a bit of a honey. when i first got mine i couldn't believe how realistic and natural it sounded.

 

[Jason36]

JoelSim:Snap it up but don't forget to budget for cables, allow another £400 with a system of this quality. Upgrades include power amp, music streaming paraphernalia, mains leads and conditioner but don't have to be bought yet. Forget the Cyrus and go with what sounds good to you.

I plan on it JoelSim, The Moon Kit just completely blew the Cyrus and everything I listened to today out of the water......Just so natural and real.....The Standmount Tannoys were a real surprise, although more than I really wanted to spend but what the hell.

What Interconnects and speaker cable would people recommend at this level...the speakers are bi wirable.Would definately add a power amp at a later date...would be good to see how that improves the sound. Possible mains conditioners and leads as well. iPod connectivity or music streaming is also another essential at some point.....Oh dear I can see another £2k dissapearing here.

 

[JoelSim]

Nordost would be my choice. Or Townshend Isolda speaker cable.

 

[Anonymous]

I keep recommending the Tannoys.....excellent speakers. The DC8 was on my list but I wanted the larger 10" driver so had to go with the floor standing sterling se. JD reckons they look like tumble driers.....can't see it myself.

The Dual concentric driver is remarkably clear and powerful...they work for me and I am sure you will be happy with them. What stand are you going to be using....make sure you get something heavy and solid like partington broadsides.......

Had mine delivered next day direct from Tannoy....not sure if they do that for all ranges or just the big ones.... worth asking.

Anyway....good choice....

 

[John Duncan]

 

[Sliced Bread]

JohnDuncan:

That's quite funny

 

[Jason36]

Very funny JD.......there is a little resemblance there, but the finish and sound on them is just awe inspriring.....amazing speakers with the Moon Kit so I'm a happy bunny.....now I just need to sort out the money to get them. I hope they dont sell it in the meantime.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the comment originally referred to the prestige range......but hey....theyre Tannoys....right........all the same family.......

 

[Big Chris]

I/C - http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&pf_id=2120&customer_id=PAA0614082809584FSFSPHFRZOKJPIRC

Speaker cable - http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&pf_id=3167&customer_id=PAA0614082809584FSFSPHFRZOKJPIRC

 

[Anonymous]

Of course they sound better than Cyrus - its a whole level more expensive! Not that more expensive always sounds better!

Well if you've got the room for the Tannoys...

 

[Alec]

So no Cyrus defenestration then? Meh.

 

[Big Chris]

al7478:So no Cyrus defenestration then? Meh.

I think it was metaphorical.

 

[Jason36]

Big Chris:I/C - http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1©ion=UKÏcy=GBP&pf_id=2120&customer_id=PAA0614082809584FSFSPHFRZOKJPIRC Speaker cable - http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1©ion=UKÏcy=GBP&pf_id=3167&customer_id=PAA0614082809584FSFSPHFRZOKJPIRC

Thanks for that Chris,

Maybe one's to save up for.....will probably look at Black Rhodium in the first instance these are whate were connected for the demo and they seemed to fit nicely......can play around at a later date and look at more expensive if necessary.

Budget has already been blown out the window and probably looking at an additional £150 for interconnect, £45.00 meter for speaker cable and £250.00 for stands...so grand total comes in at £5,000 for CD, Amp, Speakers, stands and cables.

Probably buying the Amp and CD first and then upgrade the speakers and cables in a month or two. Dont want to lose the Moon gear just cos I cant stretch to £5,000 now. I will live with the sub adequate speakers I have for the time being.

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:

Paint em white and I bet the missus wont even notice.......

Just for fun though...have a look at the Tannoy prestige range.....the smaller models are about the same price and you wont need stands for them.....just a thought...... Looky

 

[Jason36]

raym87:Paint em white and I bet the missus wont even notice.......

Just for fun though...have a look at the Tannoy prestige range.....the smaller models are about the same price and you wont need stands for them.....just a thought...... Looky
Oh no I dont like the look of that prestige range at all.......would definately have to be the ones above. I'm due to move in a couple of months and have decided to hold off on speakers until I have moved....for obvious reasons (and the price).

Will try a variety of speakers when I am in my new appartment....including Dali Mentor 1, Focal Chorus, Tannoy Dimension DC8, Dali (something) 5's and anything else anyone can recommend. Will be looking at a budget of probably £2,000 to £2,700 in a couple of months or so.

 

[Anonymous]

Jason36:Oh no I dont like the look of that prestige range at all.......would definately have to be the ones above.
Oh well....no accounting for taste.....we are all different in that respect. Have to say though, I like em, bigtime..(even 'er indoors does too)...havent painted them white though......Jeez....that would be a hanging offence..... As you have already commented the finish is top rate, American Walnut veneer on mine ....even on the back.......

 

[JoelSim]

raym87:Oh well....no accounting for taste.....we are all different in that respect. Have to say though, I like em, bigtime..(even 'er indoors does too)...havent painted them white though......Jeez....that would be a hanging offence..... As you have already commented the finish is top rate, American Walnut veneer on mine ....even on the back.......

All depends on your environment, they would look ridiculous in my front room amongst all the wood.

 

[John Duncan]

JoelSim:All depends on your environment, they would look ridiculous in my front room amongst all the wood.

They also make a hell of a racket, and you'd need a condenser one - presumably plumbing a vented one in is out of the question in the living room?

 

[JoelSim]

JohnDuncan:JoelSim:All depends on your environment, they would look ridiculous in my front room amongst all the wood.They also make a hell of a racket, and you'd need a condenser one - presumably plumbing a vented one in is out of the question in the living room?

Are you drunk JD?

What on earth are you talking about?

ÿ

 

[John Duncan]

JoelSim:
JohnDuncan:JoelSim:All depends on your environment, they would look ridiculous in my front room amongst all the wood.They also make a hell of a racket, and you'd need a condenser one - presumably plumbing a vented one in is out of the question in the living room?

Are you drunk JD?

What on earth are you talking about?

ÿ

Not nearly drunk enough, I can assure you.

Tumble dryers, man. Have you read the rest of this thread?

 

[JoelSim]

JohnDuncan:Not nearly drunk enough, I can assure you.Tumble dryers, man. Have you read the rest of this thread?
Oh go away