Matt from our Cardiff store is on the upgrade path once again, this time revisiting the heart of every Hi-Fi system: the amplification. And what better brand to explore than one that both Matt and the team at Audio T hold in high regard – Cyrus Audio.

The Cyrus 40 Series on Display at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025

Many of you will have hopefully read my blogs over the years (for which I’m extremely grateful), following the many changes to my home Hi-Fi system. Some might say I’m a bit of a gearhead! Like all of us, I’m always chasing that elusive perfect Hi-Fi sound. Back in my days in the guitar business, I used to call it ‘chasing tone’—which probably explains why I own more than a few guitars...

Much like Hi-Fi enthusiasts, musicians (myself included) are always searching for that perfect sound—or tone, if you will. This pursuit leads us to explore new equipment, experiment with different combinations, and fine-tune every element of our systems, from the source to the amplification—the heart of the system—to the loudspeakers. Even the finer details, such as cables and interconnects, play their part.

Working for Audio T at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, I had the chance—like many of you who attended—to listen to some fantastic equipment and chat with manufacturers and customers alike about different system choices and ultimate upgrades. Now, with the show behind us, I, like many of you, have been reflecting on my own Hi-Fi system and considering what’s next on the upgrade path.

In this case, my focus is on the heart of my Hi-Fi system—my amplification. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Cyrus as a brand. Nearly two years ago, I treated myself to a Cyrus Classic amp and PSX-R2 external power supply, which some of you may remember. Not long ago, I wrote a blog about my choices when it came to integrated amplifiers, where the Cyrus Classic amp came out on top.

Fast forward to last year, and our brilliant Cyrus representative, Jason Saxon—who many of you may recognise from countless Cyrus product videos or have met at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show)—visited our store to introduce us to the brand’s 40th-anniversary lineup. He even shared preview images of the new 40 series, which I was really excited about.

A couple of months later, Jason returned with demonstration models of the 40 amp, 40 power supply, 40 CD, and 40 ST Streamer. My first impressions? Saying I was impressed would be an understatement. Sonically and visually, the new 40 series surpassed even the already outstanding XR range—but for me, the real star of the show is the 40 Amp.

Home Demo Time

Almost a month ago, we received our 40 Series demonstration stock from the fantastic team at Cyrus. I seized the opportunity to take the 40 Amp home and put it through its paces. But before I dive into how this exceptional amplifier performed, let’s take a moment to talk about its specs.

Wattage and power
- x2 100W into 6 Ohms or 2X 113W into 6 Ohms with the 40 PSU

DAC
- ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M 32-bit DAC chipset.

Inputs
- x4 Analogue Inputs
- x1 Phono moving magnet Input
- x1 Digital Optical SPDIF input supporting 16/44.1K - 24/192K
- x2 Digital Coaxial inputs
- x1 Asynchronous USB-B input supporting 16/44.1K - 32/384K
- x1 HDMI eARC
DSD Formats supported up to DSD 256
DOP Supported formats up to DOP 128

Outputs
- x1 Preamp analogue output
- x1 Fixed output
- x1 3.5 Headphone output
- RJ45 socket for software updates.

Briefly digressing, while working at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Cyrus Audio’s Managing Director, Nick Clarke.

Nick shared insights into all things Cyrus, including the brand’s new casework production process. He also gave me a sneak peek at another exciting addition to the 40 Series arriving this summer—the 40 PPA phono preamplifier. I can’t wait to get my hands on one when it’s released!

Right, Back In The Room!!

Now, onto the most important question—how did the new 40 Amp perform?

But before we settle in with a cup of coffee, what bands and tracks did I put it through its paces with?

Artist : Joe Walsh
Track : Rocky Mountain Way
Album : The Smoker, the Drinker, the Player You Get* (1973, Vinyl)

Artist : Temple of the Dog
Track : Wooden Jesus
Album : Temple of the Dog (1991, CD) – Although I have the 25th anniversary version, which was released in 2016.

Artist : Stone Temple Pilots
Track : Sin
Album : Core (1992, Vinyl)

Artist : Pearl Jam
Track : Fatal
Album : Lost Dogs (2003, CD)

How Did The 40 Amp Hold Up?

Starting with vinyl, I had my Rega Planar 6 and trusty Nytech CDP 122 phono stage plugged in—ready to rock. First up was the great Joe Walsh and Rocky Mountain Way, and I can honestly say I’ve never heard it sound like this before—big, open, and full of life. The 40 Amp was really flexing its muscles through my Spendor D7s. Every guitar riff and vocal felt effortless, and one detail caught me completely off guard—the snare drum at the start of the track had a natural reverb I’d never noticed before. Joe’s slide guitar solo sounded more alive, with extra attack on the strings. I even caught the odd detail of the slide knocking against a fret or two on his Les Paul Deluxe. Being a bit of a guitar nerd, I know that ‘70s Les Paul Deluxes have a distinct tone, thanks to those mini humbuckers, and the 40 Amp revealed it beautifully.

Switching to CDs, I hooked up my Cyrus CDXT Signature via coax into the 40 Amp. To say Cyrus has done a great job with the DAC section would be an understatement—the ESS Sabre DAC onboard really shines, especially with eight different filters to play with. The changes are subtle but effective, and I found Linear Phase Fast Low Ripple brought out the best overall performance in the music I was listening to.

One track that really stood out was Wooden Jesus by Temple of the Dog. Matt Cameron’s percussion at the start had incredible presence, and when Chris Cornell’s vocals kicked in, I could almost hear how close he was to the mic. But the real surprise? If you’re as keen-eared—or as much of a music nerd—as I am, you’ll know there’s a banjo buried in that track. Through the 40 Amp, it didn’t just sit in the background—it came alive.

THE CYRUS 40 AMP SAT on isoacoustic isolation pucks

It’s All In The Fine Details

The Cyrus 40 Amp doesn’t just sound incredible—it looks phenomenal too. The team at Cyrus has done a fantastic job modernising the entire 40 Series in all the right ways, and in my opinion, the build quality is absolutely spot on. The user interface is effortless to navigate, and I have to say, I love the new remote.

Now, the big question—did I take the leap to the 40 Amp?

In short, yes, I did. From the moment I first heard it in our store, I was hooked. Bringing it home only reinforced that feeling. So, I took the plunge, placed my order with Cyrus, and now it’s here, settling in nicely. In fact, I’m already diving back into my record collection, rediscovering my favourite albums.

The next question—will I upgrade again?

On the amp front, I’m very, very happy. But I do have my sights set on the rest of the 40 lineup—the power supply, CD, and Stream. Maybe even the new phono stage. As they say… watch this space!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!

Matt Aaron - Audio T - Cardiff

Cyrus can be found at the following Audio T stores -