New set up for digital music, amp advice

Onkyo TX8050.  Great sound, great functionality, heaps of inputs.  Probably available for around £350 or so.

You really must demo, you can't go on reviews/opinions. If I did that I would have bought the Reag RRS1s, heard them the other day, did not like them at all. As for brands, each speaker will be different. Think B&Ws need some driving, certainly the CM1s needed some power and the Rega amp was struggling.

Whereabouts are you located?

I have know found a Cyrus 6xpd amp to fit within my budget as a used item, have demoed a few speakers but the local richer sounds store (my only option) had limited choices, I tried the tannoy dc6 but was underwhelmed. He had some open box mordaunt short 908i floorstanders for a cheap price but not sure if going for a more up to date good quality bookshelf speaker would be better, or go for the older speaker, they had side blowing subs built in which I have not seen before!

See my sig. I have Sonos - AVI ADM (x2) and could not be happier. 

If you prefer separates, I'd be looking at amp with a DAC, the Rotal RA-11 is interesting, has the Bluetooth option as well (think the dongle comes with it), but if going separates you really must hear it working together. Not just best speakers here, and best amp there. 

Like RS, I would normally suggest the Onkyo. But as you're going Sonos I wouldn't. 

Pbtw Sonos is def the best choice. 

Thanks for suggestions but amp is now sorted, its the speakers are the next challenge, have heard the ampo with a few options and know it sounds good, just looking for suggestions to shortlist, still liking 685s altho not heard them with the amp. def going down sonos route too!

Temple Audio dual Monoblock amps would be well worth considering, £329 for a pair

Also check out the reviews for the Metrum Acoustics Octave DAC, it will cost a little more than the rDac but may well be worth the extra cash.

An upgrade to the Sonos Connect maybe a better option than buying an external DAC. 'Wyred For Sound' do an upgrade that I have read is very good.

Yes - Sonos Connect is great VFM and leaves open a future upgrade to a high-end DAC, if needed. With the system he's putting together, the DAC is the Sonos is perfectly adequete.

The guy who suggested Boston Acoustics, last month then this thread started, does have a point. It would be an interesting match and warm up the Cyrus a bit. As the owner of a pair of A25s, I can say that I like them a lot, but he got a little carried away - they were a great match for his system, and some people absolutely love polypropylene speakers due to their vivid, detailed personality. I do think the KEF Q300s (and surely other KEFs with the Uni-Q setup) are a massive upgrade (but they cost more).

I would stay away from the B&W 6xx range - you can have a listen and verify this but I would predict a dark and bassy presentation with the amp. B&W shines with the 8xx range and many watts.

Good luck with your speaker search. Don't forget about used gear! This doesn't have to mean trolling through eBay - good dealers sell used kit and it's a way to go a bit - or a lot - higher-end but with some of the security you get with a reputable shop. Be patient - speakers are where you can really elevate a modest system, but the key is system matching.

Thanks a couple of solutions I would not have considered as know little about Boston Acoustics and have never looked a KEF either. The 6xpd has arrived and sonos connect and bridge will be next.  Have tested amp with a friends spare wharfdale 9.1s (yes I know they are not appropriate speakers!) just to check if it works ok, cant wait to get some decent speakers to go with it!!  The sound I aiming for is good detail and separation with a warmish bass without taking away from the natural recording.

I am an ex Cyrus 8XPd owner.  Look on the relevant owners forum but generally the following are wholeheartedly recommended with Cyrus, especially since you are willing to buy used;

Dynaudio

Kudos

Spendor

I can speak from experience and say that Cyrus amps are a good match with both Dynaudio and Spendor.

-Thanks for the suggestions, especially as an ex-cyrus owner  had some used spendors on the shortlist, I will do some googling of the rest

http://www.whathifi.com/review/m-cr603

http://www.whathifi.com/review/denon-ceol-rcd-n7 Heard them with the small Dali lektors and the sound was verry good with some classic music, lots of power (and elderly woman want the speaker to replace here old B&O speakers) look absolutly wonderful in white

If it has to be cheaper maby this one http://www.whathifi.com/review/denon-d-m39dab one of the best mini system at affordable price

They alle look very good, fit almost anywhere, more then enough power if you choose the two most expensive one, i am shure they all sound good (all 5 stars ).