British audio manufacturer Cyrus is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The new 40 series is meant to mark Cyrus’ 40th anniversary, but it is not an anniversary series. The new components share some of the design elements of their predecessors (more depth than width), but there are also new elements added. The first four units are the 40 AMP, 40 ST, 40 CD and the 40 PSU. A completely new phono amplifier will follow in 2025.
Cyrus 40 Series
UK-based Cyrus Audio has announced the arrival of the 40 Series, a new beginning in the history of Cyrus Audio. Focusing on four core models, the 40 Series offers listeners a streamlined premium audio experience that fits seamlessly into the home of today’s music lovers, while delivering exceptional audio performance. Designed with anodised aluminium housings and bespoke design, the 40 Series is made in the UK, home of Cyrus.
Cyrus has had a recognizable style from the start. The devices are relatively narrow and flat, but at the same time quite deep. Seen from the front, they seem small devices. The new 40 series does not deviate from this, but there are some subtle styling changes. The front panels are uncluttered, with a headphone jack and a beautiful edge-to-edge glass finish that hides a high-resolution TFT screen, making the 40 ST available with full-color album art for all streaming fans.
The housing is made from aluminium and finished in a striking anodised brushed black. The volume control has been given a level of attention that is not normally seen, as it is custom designed from five separate elements and also machined from solid aluminium, which has given very positive user feedback.
Cyrus has also designed a brand new remote control for the 40 Series, which perfectly matches the finish and fits comfortably in the hand for easy operation from the listening position. The front panel displays can also be set to automatically turn off and on as someone approaches the unit.
The changes aren’t just on the outside, as the 40 Series gets a new DAC design from Cyrus. Based on ESS’s latest offering, the Sabre ES9039Q2M chipset and HyperStream IV Dual DAC technology have been analyzed by their engineering team, and the board layout has been fully optimized to tune the DAC so that the 40 Series can deliver the highest possible performance.
Cyrus 40 AMP: Integrated Amplifier
The integrated amplifier 40 AMP is equipped with analog and digital inputs. With 100 watts per channel into six ohms and a generously oversized power supply, the 40 AMP can drive most speakers on the market and fill a medium to large listening room with sound.
At the heart of this multi-functional amplifier is an electronic circuit designed entirely by Cyrus’ R&D team. The DAC is based on ESS’s latest chipset, the ES9039Q2M, and has been reworked to deliver an audio signal that replicates the artist’s original recording to a level never before seen in a Cyrus product. In addition to multiple digital and analogue connections, the 40 AMP features a low-noise phono stage for MM cartridges that inherits many of its design features from the more comprehensive Classic Phono phono stage. The phono stage performs at a level well above its class, with low background noise and a high dynamic range, making it the perfect complement to a high-end vinyl turntable.
Moving right along with the times, the 40 AMP features an HDMI input with eARC support, making the 40 AMP a true home entertainment centrepiece.
Cyrus 40 ST: Streaming Music Player
The Cyrus 40 ST is a network player that is part of Bluesound’s popular BluOS hi-res streaming platform. The 40 ST ships with the new Cyrus remote, but is ultimately controlled by the intuitive BluOS app, available for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, or Windows computers. The BluOS app provides direct access to over twenty natively integrated streaming services, thousands of radio stations from around the world, and of course your own music library on a network drive. The 40 ST also supports Roon, Airplay 2, and allows for MQA decoding.
Featuring their top performing DAC, based on the ESS ES9039Q2M, the 40 ST not only offers uncompromising sound quality, coupled with the convenience and ease of use of the BluOS streaming platform. The 40 ST also features digital inputs, allowing it to be used as a DAC for other digital sources.
Cyrus 40 CD: CD player
Cyrus has a lot of experience in building CD players. Ten years ago, the company developed the so-called ‘servo evolution’, which revolves around the philosophy of extracting the data on the disc as accurately as possible the first time to create a near-silent noise floor.
Cyrus says it has done a major overhaul of the technology for the 40 CD. The 40 CD’s power supply has been redesigned to minimize interaction between the complex mix of signals, including high-speed digital audio, sensitive analog audio, high-current servos, and system controls. By fully segmenting these circuits, the digital control circuits are powered by a dedicated, high-efficiency power supply, while other parts of the player are powered by an oversized general-purpose power supply. Nine individual stage controls smooth and distribute the power within the player as needed, which Cyrus says has taken CD playback to a new level.
Cyrus 40 PSU: external power supply
Cyrus have been designing external power supplies since the launch of the PSX in the 1980s and the 40 PSU continues that strong tradition with what can only be described as a highly intelligent little black box. Featuring its own on-board microprocessor, the 40 PSU can be connected to all products available in the 40 Series and communicates directly to consistently deliver the best configuration of power from a full range of voltage output levels.
By providing multiple supplies, all of the 40 PSU’s output voltages are digitally controlled internally, so they are extremely stable and virtually noise free. Another piece of great news for current Cyrus owners is that the 40 PSU and PSU-XR can be used in both product lines.
Cyrus 40 Series: Pricing and Delivery Information
Cyrus 40 AMP: 4,795 euros
Cyrus 40 CD: 3,595 euros
Cyrus 40 ST: 3,595 euros
Cyrus 40 PSU: 2,995 euros
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