New Member - Here is my Cyrus / MA / FLAC system.

[Stu @ M Developments]

Hi folks,
Just said hi over in the appropriate forum, so I thought my second post should be about what we all have in common, our love of music.


My system consists of the following 4 main components.


Cyrus CD8 SE - CD Player
Cyrus 8 XP - Integrated Amplifier
2x Cyrus PSX-R Power Supply upgrades.

Interconnect

Chord Company Chorus 2.

Mains Filtration

Takima Mains & RF Filter
Mark Grant Power cables on each component

Loudspeakers

Monitor Audio Silver RX-8

Loudspeaker Cable

Chord Company Rumour 2
IXOS banana Plugs

Streaming Hardware

Logitech squeezebox Touch
ARCAM r-Dac DA Convertor linked to the SB via Mark Grant Coaxial
1 gigabit wired network
"Mains Cables R us" Linear PSu upgardes for the SB & DAC
8TB WHS streaming FLACS via SB server 7.8.0 across a wired network.

Some Photos...
http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s3/v23/p331276226-3.jpg


http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s3/v24/p297875867-3.jpg


http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s1/v20/p82854946-4.jpg


http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s3/v25/p248644219-4.jpg


http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s3/v25/p117604231-3.jpg



And some taken tonight, showing latest speaker positioning and the DAC / SBT etc. (Poor quiality as from phone in low light)


http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s2/v61/p370937674-3.jpg

http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s2/v59/p249039506-4.jpg

http://www.stewartsanderson.com/img/s1/v46/p39109830-3.jpg


Next upgrade path is probably going to be to swop out the intergrated amp for preamp and monoblocks, but until I have that cash spare, will be playing with power conditioning somewhat, starting with a free loan of an Isotek. :)

[Stu @ M Developments]

My AV system in the same room consists of:

Blu Ray Player Panasonic DMP BD85 (http://whathifi.com/Review/Panasonic-DMP-BD85/)
Satellite Sky HD
AV Amplifier Pioneer 919AH (http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/42/98/405/VSX-919AH-K/index.html)
Mains Filtration Takima Mains & RF Filter (http://www.avstorm.co.uk/System_accessories/System_care_products/TACIMA_CS929_Mains_Conditioning_6_way_block_with_R FI_Filter_and_Surge_Protection___CS929__1469.html)
Loudspeakers KEF 3005 SE (http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/uan/933) 5.1 with 250w active 10" subwoofer.
Loudspeaker Cable IXOS 223 cable (http://www.audio-t.co.uk/?section=onlinestore&display=proddetail&pid=701480)
Interconnect HDMI & Optical
Television Panasonic TX-P42 Full HD (http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+Televisions/Plasma+TV/TX-P42S10/Overview/2765285/index.html)


More images to explain:

http://www.stewartsanderson.co.uk/Images/HiFi/frontroomfromtv.JPG


http://www.stewartsanderson.co.uk/Images/HiFi/frontroommain.JPG

http://www.stewartsanderson.co.uk/Images/HiFi/subwoofer.JPG

[Alex_UK]

Nice room and kit Stu - a lot of What Hi-Fi? favourites I suspect? :eyebrows: Modern Monitor Audio speakers always look lovely. :)

[Puffin]

Too messy for my liking.

[Patrick Dixon]

Too messy?

You don't know what messy looks like ...

http://www.yatecourtbarn.adsl24.co.uk/images/Room.JPG

[Stu @ M Developments]

Nice room and kit Stu - a lot of What Hi-Fi? favourites I suspect? :eyebrows: Modern Monitor Audio speakers always look lovely. :)

Thanks Mate, indeed there are, but that wasn't the driving force really. I needed the equipment to fit into that cabinet as its of sentimental value and wasn't about to be replaced, and that left me with only half size stuff really to meet my requirements as full size looked ridiculous in there and wasnt easy to use, although it did fit.

Phil & Dean at Audio T here in Blackpool were exceptionally helpful and loaned me loads of kit to test and swop about, including a range of large speakers, and I settled on what you see there. They later loaned me the PSX-R's to do back to back testing.

A good HiFi store is worth its weight in gold I reckon, and they are a dying breed now. :(

The PSU's from David (MCRU) are yet to be installed as after a chat and some good honest advice, he is sending me one of his distribution blocks and a couple of mains cables to finish the job as that Takima may not be doing the system justice, so will install all that separately and write a review when done, hopefully this weekend. :)

[Audio Al]

Too messy?

You don't know what messy looks like ...

http://www.yatecourtbarn.adsl24.co.uk/images/Room.JPG


Quality :lol: " ALMOST "

No beer cans or kebab leftover on show
:D

[Alex_UK]

I wasn't having a dig, so sorry if it came across like that - I'm about the only What Hifi? reader on this forum, though - so if like me you read it then hope you have a thick skin! :lol:

Not sure if you have a wife and/or kids, Stu, but a lot of the folks on here don't, or else they are lucky enough to have a separate "man cave" - and so they are a lot less fussed how it all looks and fits in to the room. I'm lucky in that my wife is pretty understanding of my addiction, but even so I wouldn't abuse that too much - and if it all fits in nice and harmoniously and stylishly like yours does, and sounds good too, then great! :thumbsup: :)

[Bluedroog]

Have you not considered consolidating your stereo and HT systems? Either by using the pre-outs if your Pioneer has them or alternatively a speaker switch, that way you could use you MA speakers for AV use too. Add the MA centre and you have a far more involving film experience. I see your amp is capable of 7.1 so you could use 2 of the 3 spare satellites to make it up to 7.1 at the rear too.

[jandl100]

Cyrus kit? Hmm.
I was very doubtful about their stuff and I was landed with a CD8X cdp in a swap deal.
Doh -- just my luck - effing Cyrus? :doh: -- I planned to sell it straight on ... until I tried it! Really really nice sound. A true bargain for the £200-300 you can pick them up for used. :thumbsup:
"Beautiful" was my 1 Word Review of the sound.

I wouldn't at all mind hearing a full Cyrus system. :)

Nice looking system you have there, too, although a bit too tidy for my messy nature! -- and way too symmetrical, but not quite mirror image -- that would drive me bonkers! :lol:

[julesd68]

I remember trying the Cyrus 2 and PSX back in the '80's - with the right speakers they could sound great - smooth but articulate. The only thing I didn't like was that I felt they had too much of a "signature sound" which slightly got in the way of the music ...

[Stu @ M Developments]

Not sure if you have a wife and/or kids, Stu, but a lot of the folks on here don't, or else they are lucky enough to have a separate "man cave" - and so they are a lot less fussed how it all looks and fits in to the room. I'm lucky in that my wife is pretty understanding of my addiction, but even so I wouldn't abuse that too much - and if it all fits in nice and harmoniously and stylishly like yours does, and sounds good too, then great! :thumbsup: :)

Indeed, missus, 3 kids and 2 grandkids, however they all know well about my OCD and don't mess with it too much out of pure fear. LOL



Have you not considered consolidating your stereo and HT systems? Either by using the pre-outs if your Pioneer has them or alternatively a speaker switch, that way you could use you MA speakers for AV use too. Add the MA centre and you have a far more involving film experience. I see your amp is capable of 7.1 so you could use 2 of the 3 spare satellites to make it up to 7.1 at the rear too.

Actually yes, have tried it, although with my existing centre speaker. Didnt make a great deal of difference and getting the sound balance right was an absolute ballache with it running through two seperate systems.

Speaker switch is kind of tempting though as it would simplify the balance and volume issue, is there such thing as a decent one that wont cause problems? I bought the AV system first hoping for a decent stereo sound as well, but soon had to accept that it wasnt going to happen. far too much processing going on in that box, thus the Cyrus system was then borne.



I wouldn't at all mind hearing a full Cyrus system. :)

If your ever local, your very welcome to come have a listen and a few coffees. :)

[Bluedroog]

It just so happens there is a such thing as a decent one that won’t cause problems, or break the bank come to that matter. Stan Beresford who frequents this forum makes one which looks well made and is nice and simple: http://www.beresford.me/PP/TC2D7220_AUDIO_ROUTER.html

I find issues trying to intergrade HT via pre-outs to me pre (although I can go direct to power amp but don’t like changing cables every time) so will add one of these at some point. I would then recommend adding the matching centre.

I like this route as you’re making the most of you main speakers for HT, have less clutter but also do this without compromise to the primary enjoyment of two channel music.

P.S Are you a Tangerine Seasider?

[DSJR]

I remember trying the Cyrus 2 and PSX back in the '80's - with the right speakers they could sound great - smooth but articulate. The only thing I didn't like was that I felt they had too much of a "signature sound" which slightly got in the way of the music ...

With respect, Cyrus have come a LONG way since the 2/PSX IMO. The trademark balance seems bright and lively, with the add-on power supplies reinforcing the weight and adding welly to the bass. The Cyrus 2/PSX could sound lean tones and relentless, but a good dealer will have tried a few interconnects and speaker cables and this should have sorted it for the end user.

[julesd68]

With respect, Cyrus have come a LONG way since the 2/PSX IMO. The trademark balance seems bright and lively, with the add-on power supplies reinforcing the weight and adding welly to the bass. The Cyrus 2/PSX could sound lean tones and relentless, but a good dealer will have tried a few interconnects and speaker cables and this should have sorted it for the end user.

IMO it woudn't make any difference what cables you used - the end result would always be a sound that was unmistakably "Cyrus", which was so distinctive people either loved or hated it. But that was back in the day of course ...

[Tarzan]

That is a lovely looking system and room, very relaxing Stewart, how about moving the Monitor Audios out a bit from the corners- just my 2pence worth.:)

[Stu @ M Developments]

Stan Beresford who frequents this forum makes one which looks well made and is nice and simple: http://www.beresford.me/PP/TC2D7220_AUDIO_ROUTER.html

Looks good to me, wish there were some actual details on that site though about the features / specs of the unit.


the end result would always be a sound that was unmistakably "Cyrus", which was so distinctive people either loved or hated it. But that was back in the day of course ...

I had a Cyrus 1 many years ago, I enjoyed that sound as well actually, but I am sure they have changed and adapted to their critics somewhat to still be in the industry some 30 years later. I really like their stuff. :)


That is a lovely looking system and room, very relaxing Stewart, how about moving the Monitor Audios out a bit from the corners- just my 2pence worth.:)

I have got them out about as far as aesthetics will allow now. Will try and take a better picture later, as tonight is "rip out and rectify wiring" night, once the little ones tucked up in bed. :)

[julesd68]

I had a Cyrus 1 many years ago, I enjoyed that sound as well actually, but I am sure they have changed and adapted to their critics somewhat to still be in the industry some 30 years later. I really like their stuff. :)

The Cyrus 1 was an amazing amp IMO - the looks, design and decent sound for near pocket money prices as I remember. I came close to buying one on numerous occasions to go with my original Wharfedale Diamonds.

I'd love to hear your system Stu to see how Cyrus has come on over the years - shame you're at t'other end of country!

[jandl100]

I'd love to hear your system Stu to see how Cyrus has come on over the years - shame you're at t'other end of country!

Yup, the same goes for me. Thanks for the kind offer though, Stu. :)

[jason]

Nice system Stu very nice room too. I have had a few cyrus amps they always sound nice...

[Stu @ M Developments]

Thanks guys, just put some reviews on my latest upgrades to tellurium cables and linear psu's etc in the other forum if any of you are bored and fancy reading my endless waffle. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hifinutt]

yes , very intersting ! nice to see you on aos, spaekers look lovely