How does Cyrus compare to Naim?

Posted by: JohnMak on 21 February 2003

I've got my heart set on a NAIM system - CD, NAC282 Pre and NAP250 Power and PS plus I think the Intro2 speaker.

There is no way I can get to audition any of these items because of the country I live in. So I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy one or the other.

I have a friend who has owned a NAP250, Linn SARA and LP 12 system since we lived in the UK in 1984 and it still satifies in droves.

I heard a very, very old second hand Mission-Cyrus amp playing in a dealers shop recently and it was soooo nice. Even the Vietnamese dealer was dumbfounded - he generally only has Japanese or upmarket used USA stuff, ARC, Krell etc.

There is comfort in having Naim because of its .... well Naim. But the Cyrus seems to use a similar approach with torroidal transformers, high current delivery etc and an upgrade path plus AV at considerably less cost than Naim.

I would greatly appreciate balanced comment and opinion from those enthusiasts lucky enough to live in the UK and be able to hear all the good English designs in optimal conditions with dealers who know what they are talking about.

Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by David Stewart

I auditioned some Cyrus kit and was deeply unimpressed. It looked great and I wanted to like the sound but it didn't do it for me.
Thirty minutes exposure to even an entry level Naim system and that was it - decision made and never regretted.

David

"Opinions are like belly-buttons, everybody's got one"

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by JohnMak

Hi everyone, many thanks for your enlightenment .... it all seems pretty conclusive and unanimous.

I guess to be honest I had hoped there would have been some merit to the Cyrus mainly because they already have a DVD player and and AV multi channel kit that prices out pretty good.

Dare I be greedy and add another question?

I was in the city today (I'm on holiday in Australia for a week) and went and listened to a MAIM CD5, NAIT 5, Flatcap and Intro2 speakers.

I must confess to being pretty taken with it - nahh - I really liked it, but it didn't have much in the way of bass. The bass it has was tight and precise - just how I like it, but I need more. Was it due to the Intro speakers or would a bigger amp improve things.

As I said, my heart is set on the NAP250 but it's a big bite financially at the moment.

The type of advice one can get from this forum alone almost justifies the cost of ownership for Naim equipment.

Many thanks.

Many thanks

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Bruce Woodhouse

Intros do give tight and precise bass but they are not going to shake the floor. Setup is important, well spiked, level, close to the wall (not too close) etc. A bigger amp helps all round of course but it is not going to make a Nait/CD5/Intro system have really thumping bass. A CDX would be a better investment if anything.

I'd rather have bass precision than loose 'whump' any day. My impression of cheaper systems with 'lots of bass' is that it is initially impressive but ultimately inaccurate and tiring.

Bruce

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Mr_Sukebe

I used to own a Cyrus 2 with a PSX on it.

A few months ago, finally had the chance to upgrade it and listened to a Cyrus 7, Arcam A85+ and Nait 5. Both the Cyrus and Arcam amps were very nice. However, they also both sounded like "hi-fi" amps. In comparison the Nait sounded like music. Easy choice really.

Ref the bass, I'd put the blame on the Intros. See if you can find an old pair of Keilidhs. Not very detailed or "hi-fi", but very musical and with plenty of bass.

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Noel

As a former Cyrus dealer who's used Naim for the past 15 years I would strongly advise the Naim pre/power. A good Naim CDP with a 282/250 will pump out the bass. The Intros are not bass excavators, but the Naim amps will drive just about anything so you have plenty to choose from in that area.

Noel.

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Bruce Woodhouse

Sorry to be argumentative but Keilidhs are precisely the sort of speaker that give bass a bad name. To my ears they sound lumpen and thick-that is certainly my experience of them in a very similar Naim/Linn setup. My friend who owned them had ears only for the bass when he bought them and now regrets them a great deal.

Audition carefully, Intro and Keilidh will sound very different and I'd be suprised if you liked both.

Remember I'm used to SBLs. Fast tuneful bass for sure but never bass-heavy. They opened my ears to the quality not quantity debate!

Bruce

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Simon Douglass

John

I agree with the general consensus of NAIM v. Cyrus.I started with a mission cyrus amp many years ago.Interestingly it had more detail than my first NAIM pre-power combos,but was far less musical and "thin," as used above is a fair description.My brother-in-law has a top-flight cyrus system.It's good,but doesn't grab your attention for long.Great for back-ground music.The difference is very obvious whenever we get back and listen to our Naim system after visiting him.

Simon

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by JohnMak

Hi everyone and many thanks for taking the time to pass on valuable experiences ... especially appreciated from UK members who actually have the opportunity to hear and buy what ever they fancy after demos by specialist shops. (Boy that is one thing I really miss about living in the UK - dealers who carry a range of equipment and know how to demo it)

Well the responses have all been pretty consistent and a fair number have had first-hand experience with Linn, Cyrus and Naim so again, many thanks to all.

I have emailed Douglas the Administrator several days ago re a deal going on SBL's but I'm not sure if he got it as I've not had a reply. Does anyone else know how I should follow up on the special deal on the SBL's.

Cheers

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Bananahead

I have two systems.

Naim cdx2-72(282 in post)-Hi-180 used for music

Cyrus stuff - used for AV

Why have a Cyrus system ?? I didn't want to spend (haven't got) a lot of money on an AV system so wasn't going to go the Naim route but demmed the Cyrus stuff and was happy.

No. Cyrus is not Naim, but for a very good cheapish AV system I am very pleased.

I wonder if the same question was posted to the Cyrus (?) forum .

Sorry

Nana

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by JohnMak

Hi Bananahead,
Many thanks for your comments. It's interesting that you're using the Cyrus for AV ..... that's what made me start to wonder if I could get away with Cyrus as an all in one. They make a "not too expensive" DVD player, AV processor which does SACD (I have about 90 of them)and a mix of their Smart amps and two Monoblocs worked out retty reasonable. Bummer!!!

I didn't know they had a Forum?

Cheers,

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by redeye

Cyrus doesn't satisfy long term for one simple reason...it has no SOUL. Something naim gear does on its ear..

Posted on: 21 February 2003 by Mr_Sukebe

Well I've already posted here stating my preference for the Naim amps.

Having said that, different people do have different preferences. So whilst everyone here has unnanimously said yes (and what else would you expect on the Naim forum), doesn't necessarily mean that the Naim amps will be the best option for yourself.

If you get the chance, do try to get a demo of the two against each other.