Pros & cons: Naim, Linn, Cyrus
Posted by: JohnMak on 06 March 2003
My current system carries out double duty as Home Theater and Music and consists of Sony TAE & TAN 9000ES processor and power amp with Definitive Technology BP2000 speakers + active sub in each tower + Def Tec surrounds.
It's great for HT but I'm bored listening to music on it .... it sound slow and the Def Tech bass is very deep but vey flabby.
I've been viewing this forum for a few weeks now to glean info on changing my present system back to an English sounding system (I lived there in the early 80's and had an all Linn set up with DMS Isobaricks ... loved those 'bricks dry slamming bass) so now I have opportunity to re-do my system and while I would love a "one system does all" I don't think that's going to happen unless I go the Cyrus route as it's the only one that's affordable.
I am becomming resigned to having to keep two systems. I have one small Sony DAV500, HT in-a-box set up that is quite adequate for HT.
The first thing I must replace is the Def Tech speakers and I see on this forum, a lot of you recommend Linn Ninka - either passive or active.
You lucky folks who live in the UK are able to compare really good systems, made by companies that know what they are doing and set up by dealers who know what they are doing, so I would really appreciate comments/comparisons/opinions from any of you regarding the comparative merits between the three brands mentioned above.
There are no dealers of any of these brands in Vietnam so I have no choice but to order "blind" and get friends (off-shore oil workers) to carry the stuff in for me.
I guess the order I listed the brands above, reflects my preferences but of course the price premium for Naim is high .... very high.
Depending on the margin of difference in the sound, Linn may offer better value for the money and more sophisticated upgrades to Active speakers etc.
Cyrus, I don't know much about other than it is British, uses traditional British design values such as torroid transformers, good power supplies etc. As such, if it sounds good, it may be remarkable value.
As an aside, the guy I usually buy my gear from in Saigon only has so-called American "hi-end" ((that's an American eupemisim for ridiculously expensive, ridiculously heavy, ridiculously large equipment)). There is a lot of second-hand, expensive USA kit - Krell, ARC etc brought into Vietnam - but sadly, to date, no British.
I was in his shop in Saigon last week and he was beside himself with excitement at the sound of a 1986 Mission Cyrus amplifier he had just picked up second-hand from an expat British worker here. He just couldn't believe this little "toy" amplifier could make such a sound compared to the monster black and alunimium floor standing Krell he normally uses. God knows what he'd think if he heard Naim.
I just have to give him a shopping list and he will "obtain" whatever I want. One has to admire the resourcefulness of these guys who have never been outside Vietnam.
He has just sold my big Sony ES/Def Tech system so I'm very interested to hear comments so I can place my order.
Cheers,
It's great for HT but I'm bored listening to music on it .... it sound slow and the Def Tech bass is very deep but vey flabby.
I've been viewing this forum for a few weeks now to glean info on changing my present system back to an English sounding system (I lived there in the early 80's and had an all Linn set up with DMS Isobaricks ... loved those 'bricks dry slamming bass) so now I have opportunity to re-do my system and while I would love a "one system does all" I don't think that's going to happen unless I go the Cyrus route as it's the only one that's affordable.
I am becomming resigned to having to keep two systems. I have one small Sony DAV500, HT in-a-box set up that is quite adequate for HT.
The first thing I must replace is the Def Tech speakers and I see on this forum, a lot of you recommend Linn Ninka - either passive or active.
You lucky folks who live in the UK are able to compare really good systems, made by companies that know what they are doing and set up by dealers who know what they are doing, so I would really appreciate comments/comparisons/opinions from any of you regarding the comparative merits between the three brands mentioned above.
There are no dealers of any of these brands in Vietnam so I have no choice but to order "blind" and get friends (off-shore oil workers) to carry the stuff in for me.
I guess the order I listed the brands above, reflects my preferences but of course the price premium for Naim is high .... very high.
Depending on the margin of difference in the sound, Linn may offer better value for the money and more sophisticated upgrades to Active speakers etc.
Cyrus, I don't know much about other than it is British, uses traditional British design values such as torroid transformers, good power supplies etc. As such, if it sounds good, it may be remarkable value.
As an aside, the guy I usually buy my gear from in Saigon only has so-called American "hi-end" ((that's an American eupemisim for ridiculously expensive, ridiculously heavy, ridiculously large equipment)). There is a lot of second-hand, expensive USA kit - Krell, ARC etc brought into Vietnam - but sadly, to date, no British.
I was in his shop in Saigon last week and he was beside himself with excitement at the sound of a 1986 Mission Cyrus amplifier he had just picked up second-hand from an expat British worker here. He just couldn't believe this little "toy" amplifier could make such a sound compared to the monster black and alunimium floor standing Krell he normally uses. God knows what he'd think if he heard Naim.
I just have to give him a shopping list and he will "obtain" whatever I want. One has to admire the resourcefulness of these guys who have never been outside Vietnam.
He has just sold my big Sony ES/Def Tech system so I'm very interested to hear comments so I can place my order.
Cheers,
John, the Mission Cyrus amps of the 80's were never in the same league as Naim in terms of sound quality. They were however significantly cheaper, Cyrus 1 was £150 and the Cyrus 2 £300. There was also a Cyrus PSX for the Cyrus 2 which I think was £200. Reliability was a huge problem with the early amps. This was mainly due to way they were packaged and transported. Things improved when they moved to aluminium cases and new packaging, but unless its VERY cheap I'd try and get something through ebay or loot and have it mailed. good luck.Noel.