Power and Sound (Part 2): The Magic of Cyrus’s New 40 Series and Things to Come

/ Audio T Cardiff/

Hi folks, Matt here from Audio T Cardiff. This month, I’m picking up where I left off in my previous blog and diving deeper into how we power our Hi-Fi systems—specifically, with a look at something I’ve been especially excited to add to my own setup: the Cyrus 40 PSU. I’ll talk through what it brings to the Cyrus 40 AMP and how it compares to my previous experience with the Cyrus Classic and PSX-R2. I’ll also let you in on something we’ve been planning that Cyrus fans—like me—won’t want to miss.

So, kettle on, favourite Colombian roast brewed (yes, I’m predictable), and let’s get into it.

Looking Back to Move Forward

the cyrus 2

Those of you who’ve followed my ramblings for a while will know I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Cyrus gear. Over the years, I’ve listened to a fair few of their amps and CD players, but there’s always been one theme running through my Cyrus journey: external power supplies.

Cyrus have been pioneers in this area since the ‘80s, back in the Mission Cyrus days. Their first PSX outboard power supply appeared in 1984 with the Cyrus 2, and it marked the beginning of a long and continually evolving approach to upgrading component performance through external power.

Fast-forward to more recent history, and I had my Classic amplifier partnered with a PSX-R2. That combination brought a clear jump in dynamics and soundstage—it made music feel bigger and more spacious, without losing the detail I loved in the Classic’s signature sound. I used to describe it to customers as unlocking the rest of the amp’s potential—and I still stand by that.

The New 40 Series: Familiar Philosophy, Evolved Execution

Now, with the arrival of the Cyrus 40 series, the game has moved on again. The 40 PSU is an evolution of everything Cyrus have been working towards—and while it may share the same principle as the PSX-R2, it’s a very different beast.

cyrus 40 amp & 40 psu combination

Where the PSX-R2 focuses mainly on stabilising the voltage for the front-end circuitry—think preamp stage and DAC—the 40 PSU goes further. It feeds the power amp stage directly as well, increasing output power from 2 x 100W into 6 Ohms to 2 x 113W into 6 Ohms. That’s not just numbers on a spec sheet—you can feel that extra headroom when you push the system. Yet, crucially, it also continues to refine the signal path for the DAC and preamp, just like the PSX-R2 did.

In short, it’s giving the amp a shot of espresso and a warm blanket at the same time—more drive, but more control and finesse too.

Listening Time – With and Without the PSU

Of course, the real test is how it sounds. So I did what I always do when something new comes into my system: a proper A/B demo, starting without the PSU connected.

First up: ZZ Top’s “Vincent Price Blues” on CD. Even without the PSU, the Cyrus 40 AMP is no slouch—tight rhythm section, open mids, and that signature Cyrus precision. Billy Gibbons’s guitar tone was rich and unmistakable, and the interplay between the band members really shone. (Side note: I actually had the pleasure of meeting Billy once… but I’ll save that story for a rainy day.)

For those curious, I’ve settled on the Linear Phase Fast Low Ripple DAC filter setting on the 40 AMP—it strikes the right balance between detail and musicality in my system.

Now, I hooked in the 40 PSU, restarted the track, and boom—the noise floor dropped. Like, immediately. More air around the instruments. Better vocal focus. The amp had a touch more grip, especially in the bass. A guitar nerd moment: Gibbons used a ’55 Gold Top Les Paul with P90 pickups on this track, and the way the PSU revealed the loose, overdriven texture of those single coils was brilliant. You could hear the amp working harder, and the guitar flirting with feedback in a way that just wasn’t as present before.

Switching over to vinyl, I spun Jerry Cantrell’s “Afterglow”. Same story. The bass, handled by Duff McKagan, became more articulate. It had shape, not just presence, and the separation between vocals and guitars opened up noticeably. That’s the magic of lower noise and more consistent power delivery—it doesn’t just make things louder, it makes them clearer.

Format: CD
Artist: ZZ Top
Album: Rhythmeen (1996)
Track: Vincent Price Blues

Format: Vinyl
Artist: Gov’t Mule
Album: Like a River (2023)
Track: Same as it Ever Was

Format: Vinyl
Artist: Jerry Cantrell 
Album: I Want Blood (2024)
Track: Afterglow

matts hom setup with added 40psu

So—Is the Cyrus 40 PSU Worth It?

In my opinion? Absolutely. I’ve lived with power supply upgrades for years, and I’ve never felt they were gimmicks. In the case of the 40 PSU, it’s not just an upgrade—it’s an unlock. It takes an already brilliant amplifier and lets it breathe, drive, and articulate to a whole new level.

If you own, or are considering, any part of the 40 Series, the PSU is something you need to hear to fully appreciate what the range is capable of.

And yes, to answer the inevitable question: I’ll definitely be keeping it in my system. It’s worth every penny.

Join Us in June – Cyrus Event at Audio T Cardiff

Want to hear it for yourself? Good news—we’re hosting a Cyrus 40 Series Listening Event right here at Audio T Cardiff on Friday 13th June, from 5pm until 9pm.

We’ll be joined by none other than Jason Saxon, UK Sales Manager for Cyrus Audio. I’ll be having a chat with Jason before the event kicks off, talking all things 40 Series and what lies ahead—including some exciting teasers about the upcoming Cyrus 80 Series.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening, with hands-on demos, great music, and plenty of time to ask questions or just chat Hi-Fi. If you’ve ever been curious about what these upgrades can do, this is your chance to experience it firsthand in a relaxed and friendly setting.

Thanks as always for reading, and I hope to see some of you at the event!

Matt – Audio T Cardiff

To book your place or find out more, just give us a call on 02920 228565 or email cardiff@audio-t.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Cyrus can be found at the following Audio T stores

SUMIKO Has Landed at Audio T Southampton

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Here at Audio T Southampton, we like to think we have a pretty good knowledge of the brands available in the Hi-Fi market, but once in a very rare while, we’re caught off guard and get introduced to something completely new…

We first came across SUMIKO here in the Southampton store when a customer walked through the door and asked if we could supply them with one of their cartridges. We were initially a bit taken aback as we had not heard of SUMIKO before, but boy are we glad we do now.

We were intrigued by this ellusive brand and ordered in three products from their range - Two moving magnet and one moving coil.

I went out to a customers house with the Blue Point No3 Moving Coil model in hand to put it up against his current cartridge on his Michell Gyrodec. It’s safe to say that the SUMIKO blew his cartridge away! I was amazed at how much detail and depth it had in comparison. It changed the whole soundstage of his Gyrodec. It sounded much more open and you could hear every note cleanly. We tried a few different albums from Elvis and The Beach Boys to classics like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and Dire Straight's’ Brothers In Arms.

I left the customer with a new cartridge and huge smile on his face, and in all honesty, I couldn’t hide my large grin either.

I have since tried different SUMIKO cartridges on a few different turntables in store, and each time I am amazed at the way it breathes new life into each one!

A brief history of SUMIKO

For over 40 years, SUMIKO have provided an array of phono pick-up cartridges to discerning audio enthusiasts around the world. Boasting a portfolio of products that touches all price points and technologies.

David Fletcher with “the arm”

SUMIKO was founded in 1972 in Japan by three people, notably of which was American theoretical physicist David Fletcher. Before he co-founded SUMIKO he used to work for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, working on various different research projects. Unfortunately David Fletcher passed away early into 2021 at the age of 81.

Fun Fact: SUMIKO was named after one of the founders' wives.

MDC 800 Tonearm and Talisman A Cartridge

In the early days of SUMIKO they used to provide two services; the first being the import side of the business with introducing new and different brands to North America, ranging from Koetsu, Grace and many more. The other aspect of SUMIKO company is what they are primarily known for these days; that being, their spectacular cartridges, starting with the Talisman MC cartridges of which there were four: A, B, S and the Virtuoso. Another one of their founding products was the MDC 800 Tonearm, appropriately nicknamed "The Arm".

The RAINIER MM and Palo Santos MC Cartridges

Nowadays SUMIKO focus on their range of cartridges, with them now producing two different ranges, from the Oyster Series featuring the Rainier MM cartridges, all the way to the phenomenal Reference Series and the stunning Palo Santos Presentation Moving Coil Cartridge.

It really is a travesty that SUMIKO is not as well known here in the UK as they deserve to be. Superb quality at a lower price than a lot of their competitors. For us it was a no brainer to start stocking these and absolutely sing their praises.

If you’re interested in hearing one of these great cartridges or want to know more about their range please don't hesitate to give us a call and arrange a demonstration.

Thanks for Reading

Wayne - Audio T Southampton.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

SUMIKO can be found at the following Audio T stores

From Italy Sonus Faber to Fine Sounds UK - Sonetto I Speakers

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A few months back we wrote a blog to introduce the new Sonus Faber ranges, distributed by Fine Sounds UK. This month we thought we would delve a little deeper into Sonus Faber, and take a closer look at the the Sonetto I bookshelf speakers.

Sonus Faber Sonetto1 (white)

Hand-sewn leather top

The Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 is a very pretty loudspeaker with some some fantastic finishes available to compliment your home décor. Gloss Black, Wenge, Wood or Satin White as featured here are the available finishes. These slick cabinet colours are teamed with a hand-sewn leather top, a designed feature filtered down form the Olympica range.

All of the Sonetto range incorporates the Lute shaped cabinet that is not only pleasing to the eye but sonically important. This shape ensures that there are no parallel surfaces in the internal construction, offering perfect control over the internal resonances.

Lute shape cabinet

Bespoke Accessories

Sonetto stand

To complete the stylish look of the Sonetto I, Sonus Faber have created a bespoke pair of Sonetto Stands, manufactured from extruded aluminium to give it the rigidity needed for the performance expected from such a standmount loudspeaker. A nice touch to give piece of mind is the bolt on system for the top plate to the base of the speaker. The Soft velour on the base of the speaker and the top of the stand give a perfect seat for placement before bolting down. A nice extra is the cut out in the back of the stand upright for cable management.

Performance

Now let’s take a look at the sonic performance of the Sonetto I. Sonus Faber talk of the "voice" of its loudspeaker ranges and this voice is provided by the combination of cabinet construction, silk dome tweeter and natural fibre midwoofer and the front reflex port.

The silk dome tweeter is constructed with D.A.D (damped apex dome) technology and the mid-woofer with its natural fibre air dried diaphragm delivers high end performance at an affordable price. This technology has filtered down from their flagship Reference and Olympica ranges to achieve such high sonic presentation.

Tweeter

Tweeter

Midwoofer

If asked, we would describe the Sonetto range as incredibly smooth without lacking punch or detail. The bass is defined, tight and tuneful and the treble is smooth, sweet and not fatiguing. The midrange offers detail in vocals that other loudspeakers at this price struggle to achieve. I think I could put my feet up and listen to these speakers all day and I wouldn’t get tired.

We have found the Sonetto I easy to place in most rooms. If space is tight it is surprising how well they perform close to the wall due to the shape of cabinet and the front mounted bass reflex port .

The System

For the purpose of this demonstration we used a system consisting of -

Made in Italy

Demo tracks we've enjoyed on the Sonetto 1 include

  • Pearl Jam - Yield - Vinyl

  • Jessie Ware - Mirage (Don't Stop) - Tidal Streaming

  • Little Simz - Point and Kill - Qobuz Hi-Res Audio

Pearl Jam’s , Yield, is an album recorded in the 90s and when played on vinyl can be a little on the loose side in the bass, but the Sonetto I has no problem in controlling this and offers an immersive experience. Jessie Ware - Mirage offers a disco style with some pace. The vocal reproduction on these speakers is superb, along with the presence and timing of the modulated rhythm guitar. If you are looking to improve your stereo hi-fi or expand on your home cinema the Sonus Faber Sonetto I is a must to audition and are exceptional contenders in their price range.

Thanks for reading.

Nick, Kerrin & Matt - Audio T Cardiff

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Sonus faber can be found at the following Audio-T stores

Record Store Day 2019 fun

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For this year’s Record Store Day we’re going to have a fun day in store, when we’ll set up a couple of fab vinyl based systems and play a selection of classic albums all day.

This sort of thing…..

albums.jpg

The fantastic Audio T offer of one of our excellent record bags free with any turntable purchased will be in full effect.

We will of course have the limited edition Rega Record Store Day turntable available on a first come first served basis.

imagegen.jpg

Of course we’ll be happy to offer advice on upgrading or servicing your turntable as well as having a selection of vinyl based accessories from stylus brushes to phono stages to help you get the most out of your deck. Or try out one of our record cleaners and see how that can improve the sound quality of your music.

Oh and we have actual records for sale too!!!!

Come in and join in the listening

See you then!

Musical Fidelity Merlin System so good we put it in the window!

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Musical Fidelity have come up trumps with this little system. With vinyl sales increasing daily this is a perfect way to have a compact multi format starter system with real quality for only £1300

The individual components are available separately, but there is a price saving of £200 if bought as a system.

 

 

The system comprises the Roundtable turntable, the Merlin amplifier, and the Merlin loudspeakers.

 

As you can see the turntable is beautifully built, comes complete with an Audo Technica Cartridge, and sounds really good, it has some clever design features which all add to the aound quality, like placing the units centre of gravity at the bearing.

The little Merlin amplifier really punches above its weight, both in sound quality and available features.

There's a reason why Musical Fidelity call this a "multi format system" not only does the amplifier have a quality phono input, it also has 24/192 DACs built in, AptX bluetooth, quality headphone amp, and an ADC so that you can convert the vinyl signal for ripping......Oh and it makes a really good sound too

 

 

Last but not least are the little (yes that word crops up a lot with this system) Merlin Speakers, they have a sculpted baffle, which you can see here behind the grille, which produces a very wide dispersion soundfield making the system sound much bigger than would be expected. It is a truly surprising performance from such a small enclosure.

 

All in all this system sounds great, looks great, and most importantly is fun to listen to: so get up in your loft, rescue those old LPs and get yourself a Merlin system.

 

Paul, Francis and Boswell