BRISTOL SHOW 2012: Cyrus targets sub-£800 audio market with new hi-fi range - video
A "clear shift in the market" has led Cyrus Audio to develop a new range of hi-fi separates in the sub-£800 sector, making its UK debut this weekend at the Bristol Show.
"Last year Cyrus decided to initiate R&D projects that would enable the company to stretch the model range back down into the larger, sub-£800 market we used to occupy, but abandoned as we pushed our development team to deliver ever higher-quality models," says Cyrus managing director Peter Bartlett.
The new range starts at £699 with the Cyrus 6a entry-level amplifier, and at the same time the matching CD 6 SE2 CD player is reduced from £950 to £699 (both shown below).
The new Cyrus CD T transport comes in at £599, and the Cyrus 6 DAC at £899, or £1498 for the pair.
Joining the 6 series are the Cyrus 8a amp at £1200, the 8 DAC at £1400 and 8 Qx DAC at £1700.
Other, existing CD models in the range are 'repositioned' to bring their prices more into line with the new amplifiers. So the CD XT SE2 transport drops to £1500 and the CD 8 SE2 to £1200.
Watch our video news report on the new Cyrus range
All the 'SE2' models use Cyrus's second-generation service code delivering a more accurate data stream from the optical drive, the company claims.
And the new modular amplifier platform is developed from the XP range, but using new audiophile components that were not available when the XP models were introduced.
Two power options are available on the amplifiers: 2 x 40W or 2 x 70W. Owners can further upgrade them by adding an optional five-input DAC card, while the DAC models can be upgraded to a higher spec Qx 192kHz upsampling version.
In addition, you can add an outboard PSX-R power supply to the 8 series to further enhance their performance.
Shared features across the new range are:
• New low-resonance aluminium die-cast chassis
• LCD custom display and optical quality lens
• Less than 1W standby power consumption
• Individually configurable input naming
• Choice of black or silver finishes
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Comments
I have sympathy for those who have bought the Cd6SE2 at the old price. I can hear the collective thump of used prices hitting the floor and the tinkle of upgrade plans shattered. Somewhat bizarre marketing given the precedent it will set for future buyers expectation, unless there is mark 3 version just around the corner....
Interesting point made by mcd0234 about the spiralling prices of Cyrus products in recent years. I bought one of the first Mission Cyrus One amplifiers in 1983 and still use it, phono stage included. It cost £130 at the time. Taking account of inflation that sum corresponds to around £360 now. Now I know Cyrus would argue that their current entry level amp is more sophisticated, but in an era where electronic products are much more affordable than in past (how much would a 40inch television have cost in 1983?) it means even the recently revised prices are comparatively high. Or at least there is room for an even less expensive starter amp in their range.
Oh, and my Cyrus One still looks the same as (arguably better than) the current models, of course!
I agree with you on every single word mcd0234.
And my Missus will tell you that this does not happen very often.
Particularly.... "Now, if only they could spend a very small portion of their R&D budget updating their cases so it looks like you've bought something made this century".
The Displays in particular are difficult to read properly....(The What Hi Fi review also mentions this for the Streamline)...I have been hovering and hovering wanting to purchase the Streamline DAC.
But I fear trying to read the display...particularly from a distance, and the fact that there are no RCA inputs.
Yes Cyrus come on. A physical update is arguably overdue.....this IS 2012 yoy you know.
Huge interest going by the posts above!! As always, I love the Cyrus sound strengths but I really hate the way they look - looks certainly not the most important aspect obviously but its not totally ignored either. Personally, I have to say this makes sense as their prices have just become a little ridiculous in recent years and it didn't go un-noticed that they raised their prices drastically after good reviews and constant stories praising them in What Hi-Fi - I'm glad they have more sensibly priced kit now. Now, if only they could spend a very small portion of their R&D budget updating their cases so it looks like you've bought something made this century.
Well thank you very much for keeping us informed on this. And yes all of the latest info is there, including the 6a. Nice one.
Even the up to date pricing of the Streamline is up to date at £1200. This seems a very good price now, and the only thing I am hesitating on buying one is the fact that there are no RCA IN sockets.
For my equipment I could do with a minimum of one......and what am I gonna do with all my qunex cables then? LOL.
Cyrus just called to say the reason the web pages on the new amps were taken down last night was because they spotted a couple of errors. The pages have now been corrected and re-instated, I'm told.
I've just received the first official picture of the 6a amp from Cyrus, which I've added to the story above.
Being an owner of Cyrus kit I can't imagine the new items look too different from what they already sell
Hello Andrew Everard. Yes, very bizarre. I first though that Cyrus where being very good in perhaps responding to comments made here on What Hi Fi.
They are obviously in some state of panic somewhere and need to get the act together and fast.
Like I say...there is now no mention at all of Integrated Amplifiers or some really solid info on the 6a or whatever as mentioned.
I am still miffed about the Streamline Amplifier/DAC which was published on What Hi Fi for having a 25% price reduction....but it is still £1600 on the Cyrus Web Site.
http://www.whathifi.com/news/cyrus-cuts-25-off-price-of-streamline-all-in-one
It can be purchased in a couple of dealers now for £1200....BUT.....say one purchased off the Cyrus Web Site for £1600 and then found it could be purchased for £1200 from some (but not all) dealers......one would not be a very happy bunny!
http://www.cyrusaudio.com/product/streaming-music-players/streamline
Come on Cyrus......times are hard...but please get someone who wants to properly upkeep your Web Site in respect of pricing and models on the job!
2. Any reference to Integrated Amplifiersand pricing has gone.
Deeply bizarre, and you're absolutely right.
At the time I posted my previous reply to you, the product pages were showing the new amplifiers, which is where I got the picture of the Cyrus 6a I added to the news story above, Cyrus having failed so far to supply any press pictures with their original announcement email or respond to requests for same.
Now that information has indeed vanished again. Hmmm...
Thank you for the information, however...,
1, I cannot find any reference to the 6a as meantioned by What Hi Fi.
2. Any reference to Integrated Amplifiersand pricing has gone.
3. The pricing for the Streamline is still showing as £1600 to buy from Cyrus.
The Cyrus site looks simple enough to navigate, but the information there is either out of date or not very easy to find. Even after todays so called 'update'.
In my opinion of course. Worth a carrot I do hope!
Cheers
boozercruiser,
Cyrus site now updated with details of these new models and prices
Sometimes I don't mind being teased.....but it depends on who is doing the teasing!
I still would have thought some news item about the new models would have been on the Cyrus Web Site though....even ahead of the Bristol Show.
After all, if it where meant to be a cloak and dagger thing, even What Hi Fi would not have this news.
I was thinking of buying either new Cyrus Streamline or the top of the range
....but now I will wait and see what comes of this news.
Yes, we haven't seen them yet so expect to get our first glimpse at Bristol. I'm still waiting for pictures of the new models.
I'm guessing this is just a teaser. The news article says they will be shown at the Bristol Show, which isn't for acouple of weeks.
Going to the link here on the Cyrus Web Site http://www.cyrusaudio.com/
I cannot find any item in respect of these models or pricing.
Nor can I find any reference after doing a Google. It is very nice getting this info and news from What Hi Fi...but trying to follow up with a possible purchase is not possible right now.
Unless of course I am missing something?
It was the same about the news item here on the Cyrus Streamline 25% price reduction a couple of weeks ago.
Even now the pricing on the Web Site still shows £1600 instead of £1200.
Come on Cyrus...does anyone at all now keep your Web Site up to date on any product news.
Your latest news as of today 8th February 2012...not good enough!
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the price drop is welcome as long as they keep it simple with resolution improving as you move up the product line. trying to please everyone may just lead them to loose what sets them apart.
It’s hard not to be cynical about this.
I bought back in to the Cyrus brand this time last year, getting the 6XP / 6SE pairing for a ‘special offer’ price of £1599 (£400 off the original price), and a year later, after 2 more price cuts I can get the same equipment for £999 !
I agree with Unison, they need to reposition their upgrade prices. As things stand at the moment it is better to offload your current gear on Ebay and buy the higher spec equipment new.
A question for Cyrus:
Why should I spend my hard earned cash on your equipment and then find I could have waited and bought it much cheaper?
None of the other big players seem to be discounting as heavily as Cyrus – you are in danger of alienating your customers.
Innteresting to see if there is any difference technology or component wise with the old range.....hmmmmmm
it seems like a rebadge with a price adjustment to bring Cyrus more in line with rocksan and naim equivalent products, their prices had creep up over the last few years. it makes sense in the long term because the Cyrus brand could die without new fans of their idea of hifi sound. it might also help them to think about discounts on upgrades for existing customers