Cyrus CD8SE Problems - Quandry?
Hello all
Need some "objective" input to a issue I have concerning my new (just 3 weeks old) cyrus player.
Regrettably it appears that when the unit was shipped that it had an old version of software which is preventing the player from playing a couple of CD's and loading some others. I think the total I've come across so far is about 4. Compared with the ones it successfully plays this is really only a very small percentage - although I agree that it should play all cd's without a problem. I've been in contact with Cyrus and they believe it is the software and when they load the new software for me then this problem will disappear 
However now another issue has reared its head - that is that the display froze on a track number with the pause symbol displayed whilst the disc carried on playing as normal. I've been in touch with Cyrus again about this and it seems that this is a "known issue" that they are currently looking into but are not sure when it will be fixed.
So here is my quandry, part of me absolutely thinks that it is just wrong that a CD player, which lets face it, isn't cheap (well not to me anyway) shouldn't be shipped/sold with a known issue or without making the purchaser aware of the issue before purchase. I expect it to work 100% and so on top of the other problem I've become quite disillusioned and now want a refund. On the other side of the coin is the audio quality, which I was completely and utterly blown away by when teamed up with my old Cyrus 1 amp and new Spendor S5E's. Question is, can I get the same audio quality for the same amount of money from another player (still being teamed up with my old amp for now and the Spendors)? Should I be at all bothered that the display doesn't function correctly considering that for the most part I am not interested in what it is displaying and can turn it off anyway? I note that there can be a sonic improvement obtaining from not having the display on in the first place?
Anyway let me know what you all think......I welcome your opinion...am just worried that a replacement player from another manufacturer just won't match the sound from the Cyrus and at the end of the day this is why I bought it to get the best quality sound I could for my budget!
Cheers all
on the other hand, if that were me i would want and expect it to be sorted immediately or exchanged for one that worked properly.
This is legacy technology at a premium price, therefore it should work. Perfectly. Every time. There is no excuse IMHO.
The display issue I would probably forgive, but not reading discs? That is its sole purpose in life.
ffiish:You're buying from a pretty small, independent hi-fi company. It is unreasonable to expect them to pull a range of CD players because of a relatively minor software issue is unresolved. Car manufacturers do this all the time, and they have considerably more money to burn on R&D (or at least, did).
Imagine if the CD8SE had never made the light of day because the display froze once a month on a small percentage of units? Just doesn't make commercial sense, and (in my opinion) would be a significant loss.
While I agree that things should work for this sort of money, I for one would be pretty tolerant of 'foibles', unless it materially affected my enjoyment of using the kit. People don't buy Alfa Romeos because they are 100% reliable cars.
That's not to say that you shouldn't try to get it fixed once the relevant update is available!
Hi ffish
Many thanks for your opinion and points...which I think you have put over very well.
I think when I initially read the reply from Cyrus I was just sidelined. This is my first major purchase in the high end hi fi world and I guess I just wanted everything to run smoothly. They obviously have fixed the cd loading/playing issue and I am just unfortunate that my player has the old software. They have promised to turn it around within a week for me when they receive it and so you can't really ask for more than that I suppose.
Cheers
Paul
Craig M.:on the other hand, if that were me i would want and expect it to be sorted immediately or exchanged for one that worked properly.
Hi Craig M
Just to make it clear, Cyrus have promised to have my player returned within the week with the new software that resolves the playing/loading issues. Apparently this was an issue from when initially launched that they corrected - seems I was just unlucky that my player got the old software in error.
The display issue is under review and they are looking for a solution...I was just initially shocked that there could be issues with players costing this much money
Cheers for your input
Paul
tractorboy:This is legacy technology at a premium price, therefore it should work. Perfectly. Every time. There is no excuse IMHO.
The display issue I would probably forgive, but not reading discs? That is its sole purpose in life.
Hi tractorboy
The not reading discs is an issue they had when the player was first launched but this was resolved with a software update apparently. It would appear that somehow my player got loaded with the old software. As I said they have fixed this problem and I just need to send the player back to have the software updated.
I think initially the display error just knocked my confidence in the player even more, hence my initial reaction! Like I said I can turn off the display anyway and apparently this gives better performance? The sound from the player is IMHO outstanding and I've never heard anything like it before, but then again this is my first major purchase into the world of high end hi-fi and so hence the question re quality sound from other players for the same sort of money.
Thanks for your input - very appreciated
Paul
I've got the new software (1.7) after a return and it's never stuck on pause, if that helps.
For me, the sonic benefits far outweigh a, shall we say, quirky piece of software.
Customer service is great and ask personally, by phone, for a fast turnaround - mine went away and returned in 3 working days flat.
Turning the display off is meant to give greater clarity, although I've not experienced it myself. At least you won't see it sticking on pause! 
Hi Graham
Many thanks for your response...problem shared problem halved and all that!
I do think perhaps I flew off the handle a little...but they have indicated that there is presently no known fix for the display problem. However you seem to imply that you had the same problem and it has now gone? Was this with the loading/playing of discs or the display or both? I know the loading/playing has been resolved and will be sorted with the new software.
I absolutely agree that the sound quality is brilliant, a fact which I've never denied. Guess I just saw my backside when yet another problem came to light! To me, I've spent a huge amount of hard earned cash on this and I want it to be just so perfect for me and for when I show it off to my family/friends.
Cheers for your input.....here's to getting it resolved and getting back to hearing some amazing music again!
I think the machine has done that sticking once. The problem for me was the 'disc errors', which began on the known CD releases - e.g. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible. Then it began to play up on everything until nothing would load.
Also, wait for the machine to read the disc before pressing play.
Just an update to this post.....
Getting a brand new machine from the factory delivered to my local hifi shop by Friday. The production manager is testing unit over next 2 days to ensure reliability and the disc reading errors are gone.
Thanks to Bradley Aves at Cyrus for all his help and Ken ( HiFi Stereo - Sale, Cheshire) for organising a replacement machine rather than getting my old one back with new software loaded.
Let's hope my renewed confidence lasts.......
Cheers
psej71:I've been in contact with Cyrus and they believe it is the software and when they load the new software for me then this problem will disappear
It may well do. Certainly the last unit I had, with version 1.7 of the software, was able to play discs that previous units did not. However, the unit failed after playing only a handful of discs.
However now another issue has reared its head - that is that the display froze on a track number with the pause symbol displayed whilst the disc carried on playing as normal.
I didn't see this fault on the 4 units I've had. But it adds yet another fault to the already long list of problems that the Cyrus "se" CD players suffer with.
part of me absolutely thinks that it is just wrong that a CD player, which lets face it, isn't cheap (well not to me anyway) shouldn't be shipped/sold with a known issue or without making the purchaser aware of the issue before purchase.
And you would be absolutely correct in thinking that way. A product sold to the consumer has to be "fit for purpose". My own experience with the CD8se leads me to believe that is is NOT fit for purpose and shouldn't really be available for purchase in its present form. The silly problems continue, when they should have been rectified long ago. Certainly, these problems can no longer be considered "teething troubles".
Should I be at all bothered that the display doesn't function correctly considering that for the most part I am not interested in what it is displaying and can turn it off anyway?
You definitely ought to be be. It should work correctly, and as described in the manual!
In fairness to Cyrus, it's apparent that some dealers did not respond to the original v1.6 --> 1.7 recall. My dealer did much the same thing, sent off a new one in stock (with the v1.6) which they had upgraded whilst I continued to play the originally purchased unit. Once the upgraded one arrived, they swapped them over for me. I have had no problems with unplayable discs (just don;t burn using itunes as sometimes it doesnt finalise properly and the player might not read them). The display on mine is fine too. As an ex Alfa owner I am well aware of the fine balance between enthusiasm and disappointment.
SteveR750:The display on mine is fine too. As an ex Alfa owner I am well aware of the fine balance between enthusiasm and disappointment.
And rust? Nice analogy. Bet you still love Alfas.
Thanks Steve...seems like that the problems will have disappeared with the new player...well let's hope so anyway....don't want to be getting disappointed too often!
Just as a matter of interest, I see you running a K2 amp in your set up and Spendors. How do you find this set up? I'm looking to replace my aged, (but much beloved), cyrus 1 amp and was contemplating the 6 or 8 XP to compliment the 8SE player. But then I see that the K2 is highly recommended with the cyrus players (and it's somewhat cheaper too!)
Graham_Thomas:I think the machine has done that sticking once. The problem for me was the 'disc errors', which began on the known CD releases - e.g. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible. Then it began to play up on everything until nothing would load.
Also, wait for the machine to read the disc before pressing play.
Thanks for your advice...just waiting on the new player now so I can check for myself that all is now ok.....
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You're buying from a pretty small, independent hi-fi company. It is unreasonable to expect them to pull a range of CD players because of a relatively minor software issue is unresolved. Car manufacturers do this all the time, and they have considerably more money to burn on R&D (or at least, did).
Imagine if the CD8SE had never made the light of day because the display froze once a month on a small percentage of units? Just doesn't make commercial sense, and (in my opinion) would be a significant loss.
While I agree that things should work for this sort of money, I for one would be pretty tolerant of 'foibles', unless it materially affected my enjoyment of using the kit. People don't buy Alfa Romeos because they are 100% reliable cars.
That's not to say that you shouldn't try to get it fixed once the relevant update is available!