kmartin August 20, 2009 15:22
I purchased mine 2 weeks ago. The sound is excellent, lots of detail and very musical. Noise is virtually non-existent, the music emerging from an inky blackness that is different to analogue; but it has the coherence and timing of a good analogue source.
I have experienced a couple of disc read errors which were not repeated when the same disc was reloaded.
MrDali June 8, 2009 17:39
I bought it several months ago, after listening to several other players including Cyrus CD6 SE, NAD's, Rega, Cambridge Audio, Naim... The 8 SE is worth the extra cash over the 6 SE. It finds lots of detail on my CD's that i've never heard before. Bass weight is impressive, and voices are really clear. I've had a few disc errors, but when i put the disc in for the second time, it always works. Except 1 disk (Joe Gideon & The Shark), i then copied the disk, changed the names of the songs and switched the first and second song, and voil???: problem solved! Strange, but true, maybe it has something to do with the "&" sign in the name (i removed that), or with the first song on the disk (later this was the second song and played fine).
This CD player is so good for its money, that i couldn't care less for the few disc errors... very much recommended
Gaviatrix February 26, 2009 13:19
Update: not a single 'disc error' load failure in 12 weeks of use since se upgrade, so I'm happy so far. And DO buy a PSX-R if you have a Cyrus CD player, the improvement is similar to the upgrade from CD8x to CD8se - I was a bit skeptical until I heard it, but what a difference!
Graham_Thomas February 4, 2009 18:10
Send back to Cyrus and the software upgrade will sort out any fussy disc quality issues. They pay all carriage as the terms of the warranty.
Gaviatrix January 13, 2009 15:30
History. My Cyrus was bought as a CD6 about 2 1/2 years ago. After about a year I started to get the Disc Error message more and more often until it ceased to accept any CDs at all. So I sent it back to be fixed and at the same time upgraded to CD8x spec. No charge to me for the fix, just the upgrade, and I was happy with the notably better sound quality. Another year or so passed and the same thing started to happen again. Back to Cyrus for a fix and, yes, upgrade to CD8SE. No charge for the fix, just the upgrade. You can see the pattern developing .... have Cyrus hit on a great business model here - built-in failure equals constant up-grade revenues? We'll see how the player now fares. I hope there's an improved model before/if it fails again!
Still, I'm sufficiently sold on Cyrus sound quality and service to have bought an 8VS2 plus a PSX-R to replace my recently deceased NVA 20 integrated amp. That lasted from 1987 until 2008 and survived six international house moves. I'm still using my 1988 Ruark Accoustic Sabre speakers on Heybrook HBS1 stands - I might get round to an upgrade one day but they still sound great.
Happy listening all!
Thomson November 16, 2008 11:27
I purchased my Cyrus CD8 CD Player in 2004. I returned it for warranty repair due to constant ???Disc error??? readings. It finally gave up the ghost in March this year and was advised I probably needed a new carrier at around £300. I have used Quad equipment for over 30 years without a problem but I guess that???s another story. Cyrus offered an upgrade for £350 to the new CD8SE but said I would have to wait until August for the replacement kit (4 months without CD player). I then started to hear of loading problems with the CD6SE and spoke to Peter the MD at Cyrus. I explained that I thought it unfair that I was being forced to upgrade because of a basic failing in his kit. He told me that the problem was with Philips and not Cyrus and that the new CDSE had solved the carrier problem. When I told him my Quad kit didn???t need replacing after 3 and a bit years he arrogantly replied ???electrical kit is like a light bulb you never now when it is going to fail???. (Cyrus £1100???light bulb 29p).
I have now had my CD8SE and I have to say the sound is superb but it has constantly required me put the discs in two or three times for them to be ???read???. Last night it completely packed in and just shows constant ???disk error???. I will take it back to the dealer but I really don???t know what to do. If they repair it how long will the repair last? ( as long as a light bulb?) My advice is do not purchase this kit until the problems are fully resolved and don???t expect any sympathy from Peter.
RHay November 1, 2008 15:51
....furthermore agree with 5 stars for sound - it is amazing- but feel as if I am providing free Alpha testing given the number of loading problems I read about. The dealer has not heard of this problem...mmm
RHay November 1, 2008 15:48
Bought a new Cyrus SE transport with DAC in mid Oct- worked well for about week with occasional double attempt to load disk- now spitting them all out!
dontcallmeshirley October 15, 2008 12:01
Bought one two days ago, as of today it wont load any discs.
funkbrother September 30, 2008 18:03
I still haven't had any loading problems with mine.Perhaps the one they reviewed was an early model?
Quenzer September 16, 2008 19:30
If WHF-S&V's policy is to base reviews SOLELY on sound quality to the ignorance of all else, then the CD8se is VERY worthy of the 5 stars that it has been awarded. However, the review (Nov 08) states "Occasionally certain discs, usually CD-Rs, don't load first time, though in most cases reloading the disc does the trick".
In light of these disc-loading issues and the fact that the CD Player costs £1100, it is not logical to give the player the maximum 5 stars when it has such flaws of operation. If I'm going to be paying £1100 for a CD Player, I expect it to load EVERY disc FIRST time WITHOUT FAIL!
funkbrother September 9, 2008 16:25
got one about 5 days ago and I have tried about 50-60 discs.All have loaded first time.Also loaded CD-R's without a problem.Oh yes,and they all sounded stunning. Believer.
highfidelity September 8, 2008 16:47
Not worth buying if the transport can not cope Disbeliever
Jitter September 6, 2008 19:18
Thank the Lord. Couldn't wait any longer and have sent my much loved 8x for an upgrade to 8se.
Now I can sleep at night.
funkbrother September 5, 2008 19:32
What amp would WHF recommend for this?
This stunning player from Cyrus rewrites the CD rules; it's a landmark product that redefines the performance level at its price point
Whether or not you like the looks, you'll love the sound of this superb CD player from Roksan, with its immaculate timing, detail and dynamics