Hosted by cyruss managing director simon freethy, testing tracks is a knowledgeable and insightful podcast that dives into the music behind cyruss award winning products. The cyrus stream xas compact design wont be everyones cup of tea. Youll find that a naim power amp works best with a naim. Naims fraim is great but costs more than many peoples hifi. This was a big project lasting 8 months which ensured that the all important low level musical information was being transferred accurately to the listener. It has the new vs virtual servo technology from cyrus topoftheline separate preamplifier, the pre xvs. In essence an integrated amplifier, the cyrus one has four line level inputs, an mm phono stage, and a serious headphone output.
The cyrus is the priciest model here which makes a key omission in the spec sheet even more uncommon. There are more features, its a real pleasure to use incredibly easy just the way an allinone should be. Access to tunein radio puts 100,000 internet radio stations on the map, while digital connections three coaxial, two optical and a single. Tidal integration is available on this model if its running firmware 4.
The naim app is the ultimate remote control for your home hifi system, enabling you to have millions of songs at your fingertips. Sure, the companys cheaper 5i model represents brilliant value for money, but the stepup here is a significant one. These arent new products to ces, but i thought it was worth throwing a photo up since kevro international says they plan to reboot the line in the us this year. The cdi is an exceptional player thats as insightful as it is entertaining.
Engineered to get the most out of high resolution 24bit192 khz files, its analogue output makes the stream xa the perfect streamer to slot into a traditional hifi system, without the need. The size of the latest downloadable setup file is 1. It brings hope and it establishes a statement of intent. Jan 09, 2010 the xa 2 is a fine sounding amplifier and has a balanced sound that wont make your ears bleed and is well suited to a variety of music and speakers. Naim android app release and uniti core firmware update. The cyrus is like many other bits of modern digital in that it sounds very smooth and natural but unlike my resident naim or the mcintosh d100, the xa seems to have a slight but noticeable lift to the upper mid and top end. If space is a premium, the hutter has a 500mm square option which is nicely handy since its just that bit smaller while just fitting the naim kit in it. Cyrus also advocate the quality of the power supply in their design. Id read somewhere on here that cyrus sounded like shards of glass in your ears. All in all, a performance full of finesse and drama. Cyrus stream xa cyrus streamer with a high quality 24 bit dac. Dynamics in particular are a bit shelved down from ultimate snap and slam but theres a nice balance to the overall sound. Still, when it comes to performance the cd5si can hold its. I think that for a careful listener who likes the typical audiophile values such as transparency, detail, soundstaging, etc, combined with musicality, the xs is well worth the bump over the 5i.
I also had it fall over on me once or twice which is not something that generally happens with naims nstream for example. Thats the last place i want to think about gear, or worry about components and cables forget it. Cyrus chose to offer the stream x for customers who already had a decent preamplifier and dac, which is fair enough. The actual developer of the free software is naim audio ltd. With 6 digital inputs, the stream xa is a versatile digital to analogue converter as well as offering. Naim say the nd5 xs can stream and play wav, flac, aiff, alac, aac, wma, ogg vorbis and mp3 file formats. Here it was like the cyrus stream x and unlike the cd from which the track was ripped, so enhancement was occurring in the delivery chain, comprising be12lu30 lg bluray drive, mac mini and naim nd5 xs. The most popular versions of the naim desktop client 2.
I really like the naim nd5xs but its a bit out of my price range. Musical fidelity xa2 cyrus 6vs cyrus 8 ive heard the musical fidelity in my own system and i quite like it. Cyrus stream xa analogue streamer root catalog hifix cyrus. Cyrus 1 manual stereo integrated amplifier hifi engine. Enjoy instant playback through your connected naim devices from legacy products to the very latest releases no matter what room theyre in. Apr 29, 20 cyrus stream x2 digital streamer the cyrus stream x is the base model in a range of four, which has recently been upgraded to version 2 status. For most companies a lack of upgrade path is normal.
Using nonferrous metals has always provided a massive sonic advantage to sound quality. Imagine a box not much bigger than a naim nait 5i that contains a 5 x 50 watt amplifier, preamplifier, surround sound processor and a transport that plays cd, dvdv and dvda. Naim s fraim is great but costs more than many peoples hifi. The cyrus 8vss sophisticated circuitry required extensive retuning after the inclusion of the vs preamp topology. The stream x we tested is the simplest and cheapest version. Uniti atom is perfect as a highend main system or even for use in the kitchen or.
Nov 23, 2016 for an entry level hifi amplifier, the cyrus one certainly packs a punch. Here it was like the cyrus stream x and unlike the cd from which the track was ripped, so enhancement was occurring in the delivery chain, comprising be12lu30 lg bluray drive, mac. From hifi world march 2012 issue read online buy the magazine back issues subject to availability. Away from sound and, as the rest goes, the stream xa is an easy machine to figure out.
The cyrus stream x is the base model in a range of four, which has recently. Cyrus 8vs integrated amplifier, cd 8x player, and psxr power. With a massive choice, covering all genres and real djs selecting the tunes, and a multitude of search options youll quickly discover new and relevant music. Cyrus audio make extremely good hifi separates and and some integrated audio products. At the end of last year it proved the bestperforming streamer at this price, bagging a welldeserved award. Following bubbamikes comments and likes, we appear to have travelled from a naim nd5xs, to a cambridge audio cxn, to a laptop, and i mean this with the greatest of respect to a hobbyist project, to what is effectively a toy.
Not sure what the speaker cables were, but the interconnects were from atlas. Initial impressions turned out to be lasting in that the xa offers a forgiving sound that tends to soften the musical image and impact. For now without integrated amplifier but following the thread of the naim app update naim app update. It can stream files up to 24bit192khz over a wifi network, though wed always go down the more stable wired route. For the listening test of the new naim dac i used two sources. To set up tidal on naim download the update alongside instructions on how to. Learn all about our tuning process for developing latest products, upgrades and the tracks that provide critical insights into the performance of brilliant hifi equipment. And while you might miss the bells and whistles of the highend supernait i. Cyrus stream x signature music streamer in hifi at audio affair. There arent any less than six digital inputs four coaxial and two optical, but direct connection to some computer cant be attained unless its fitted. Cyrus audio the home of awardwinning musical experiences. The amplifier has six linelevel analogue inputs, one of which, like naims preamps and the supernait, outputs power to run an external naim phono stage, which is a. Upgrading from cyrus mono x naim audio forum archive. The soundkey is ready to handle a wide range of digital audio file types, most pertinently mp3.
New stuff is not my cup of tea, the older stuff is just shite. Set up new devices seamlessly with the naim set up process. This means that they are fully up to 24192 speed and can deliver alac files, apples equivalent to flac, which is still an uncommon feature. This little tweak gives the cyrus a lively and engaging presentation that works very well with anything where voices and. Uniti atom allinone wireless music player naim audio. Cyrus chose to offer the stream x for customers who already had a decent preamplifier. This is probably our favourite integrated amplifier from naim. Best buys test your system sonos arc naim uniti atom lg gx. Nov 28, 2012 quite liked my cyrus set up before i wandered off and heard bought different stuff. Im a maniacal guy when it comes to two channel hifi, but home theatre or tv, really takes a backseat in my home. Having used the naim unitiqute with its basic ir remote, we can. Stream massive attacks teardrop and the cyrus doesnt lose a single ounce of the ethereal vocals.
For some reason i was thinking of buying a streamerrenderer. Cyrus are a wellestablished audio manufacturer, their first products having appeared on the market in 1984 with the cyrus 1 and cyrus 2 amplifiers. I have owned, used and sold both brands over a very long time and imho mf wins hands down,on any price level in any fair comparison. Still, when it comes to performance the cd5si can hold its own against tough competition from audiolab and cyrus. The cd5si doesnt have digital outputs or any means of being upgraded. Reference manual english muso and muso qb naim audio. Allaround musicality is my top criterion for judging audio gear, and it is one of the cyrus 8series systems greatest strengths.
Cyrus stream xa hifi streamer with tidal intregrated. Jun 25, 2015 the sound of cyrus the stream xa s way with music is decidedly smooth, dark, and handsome. Careful installation will help ensure that their full potential is achieved. With builtin bluetooth aptx, the streaming quality from your mobile device. Of the more sensibly priced ones, the isoblue is the best musically. The fact that it only has spotify means nothing to me as im not interested in paying someone to stream music to me.
Network player naim nd5 xs naim audio has a variety to satisfy various demands and distinct budgets. I have the choice of 3 different amps for the same price. The nvi is the coolest thing i have seen in a long time. The key to all three units is the incredible nremote. With builtin bluetooth aptx, the streaming quality from your mobile device to the cyrus one is absolutely amazing. The naim nvi is just the product i had in mind when i think of home theater. Imo cyrus has better build quality or a least feels better made. The cyrus is the only dac in the evaluation to dont have any usb connection of any kind. Reference manual integrated amplifiers english naim audio. Stream from any upnp or dlna device, or use one of the streamers various other inputs to play music from your pc or mp3 player. Part of the cyrus audios success is the iconic and now classic diecast chassis in magnesium, and latterly aluminium. Jan, 2009 this is probably our favourite integrated amplifier from naim. From hifi world march 2012 issue read online buy the magazine back issues subject to availability t he stream comes in three different flavours.
The stream xa has been engineered to get the most out of high reoslution 24bit192khz files its analogue outputs makes it the ideal streamer product to fit into an existing hifi system, without the need to invest in a standalone dac. Jun 17, 2011 naim ndx only as a combined unit cyrus dacx no psxr cyrus stream xp as streamer and with internal dac rega dac system consisted of cyrus 8 xpdqx integrated amp and a pair of cabasse artis baltic evolutions with their subwoofer. For an entry level hifi amplifier, the cyrus one certainly packs a punch. The main difference ive perceived between cyrus and naim hearing lots of naim kit at dealers and my current speakers with naim is that naim has a tonally rich sound and cyrus less so, it doesnt mean there is less bass, or depth of bass, or dynamics in bass etc in the cyrus sound. The only small budget integrated amp i can think of would be the myst tma3 but they are rare. This fabulous internet radio service provides the cyrus stream xa analogue streamer with access to over 30,000 stations from around the globe. Maro, start looking at some nice class a amps to go with your nice new speakers and leave the cyrus naim behind. Finally, the cyrus performance with the hyperion hps938s was the most thrilling of all, since the cyrus didnt diminish that speakers explosive and articulate midbassits best attribute. Cyrus has a brilliant track record with cd players. It is a dac along with a network audio player, with three spdif inputs for linking other digital sources, an spdif bnc output signal as well as a singleended analogue output signal on naims standard din connector as well. Part of the cyrus audio s success is the iconic and now classic diecast chassis in magnesium, and latterly aluminium.
If you are interested i have a perfect arcam alpha. Cyrus was the first hifi manufacturer to make an ipod dock and also the first to sell networked audio streaming servers and clients. Streamers and dacs from linn, cyrus, logitech, rega and naim. Cyrus stream x2 digital streamer the cyrus stream x is the base model in a range of four, which has recently been upgraded to version 2 status. Naim audio products are conceived with performance as the top priority. Cyrus one is a great amplifier, i am using it since 1986. The 8vs integrated amplifier exemplifies the cyrus design philosophy. May 23, 2017 in essence an integrated amplifier, the cyrus one has four line level inputs, an mm phono stage, and a serious headphone output. Over the years, the cyrus brand has developed into a distinctive style, into which both the xa and the psx r2 seamlessly fit. Sure, the companys cheaper 5i model represents brilliant value for money, but the stepup here is a significant one and while you might miss the bells and whistles of the highend supernait i. The 5i does have the characteristic naim prat, and feels more powerful than its rated output, but less powerful than the xs.
Naim ndx only as a combined unit cyrus dacx no psxr cyrus stream xp as streamer and with internal dac rega dac system consisted of cyrus 8 xpdqx integrated amp and a pair of cabasse artis baltic evolutions with their subwoofer. It is a dac along with a network audio player, with three spdif inputs for linking other digital sources, an spdif bnc output signal as well as a singleended analogue output signal on naim s standard din connector as well. Nothing would convince me to by naim equipment though. Cyrus 8vs integrated amplifier, cd 8x player, and psxr. Cyrus stream xa streamerdac and psx r2 power supply. Carrying the same hightech streaming components as the stream x. The sound of cyrus the stream xas way with music is decidedly smooth, dark, and handsome. Apart from a bigger transformer, slightly bigger psu caps and a proper mc stage, the cyrus 2 and cyrus 1 have the same circuit. Cyrus is very detailed and fast some may say thin,harsh and bright as above. Another plus is that a cyrus system, even with a bevy of separate components, takes up very little space. Quite liked my cyrus set up before i wandered off and heard bought different stuff.