Can you say PPA? The Cyrus 40 PPA phono stage, that is!

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This month’s blog comes from me—Matt at Audio T Cardiff. Yes, I’m back on the upgrade path, but this time it’s a proper case of that old saying in music: once you’ve heard it, you can’t un-hear it. The component in question sits very close to the source—in fact, it boosts the source. And my favourite source? Vinyl (not chilli!). Without a phono stage, you’d be turning the amp up far too much and it just wouldn’t sound right. So yes, you’ve guessed it—it’s a phono preamp. But not just any phono preamp: the Cyrus 40 PPA.

Vinyl Obsession: Less Noise, More Music

As many of you know, I’m always on the hunt for the perfect sound. I love vinyl, but replay can be noisy at times. The odd pop or crackle is fine, but what I want is to hear those extra details that sometimes get buried—the scratch of a guitar string, the buzz of a Marshall JCM 800, the breath on a mic, or the subtle rhythm on a hi-hat. That’s what led me to upgrading my phono stage: bringing the noise floor down so those details come through.

This all started at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show earlier this year…

Cyrus 40 PPA

Bristol Hi-Fi Show: First Glimpse

Back in February, I’d already placed my order for the Cyrus 40 Amp, and I had a good idea a new phono stage was about to arrive in the Cyrus 40 line-up. At the show, I met Nick Clarke, Cyrus’s Managing Director, and we had a great chat about all things Cyrus—past, present, and future.

Nick showed me the new PPA phono stage. It was still pre-production and not ready to demo, but it instantly caught my attention. Any new gear is exciting, but when it involves vinyl, I’m like a red rag to a bull—or maybe just an excitable nerd! I remember saying to Nick, “I can’t wait to hear the phono stage, plus I know it’ll look great next to my new amp.”

Nick compared it to the original Cyrus Phono Signature, which is still regarded as one of the very best ever made. He explained how the new low-noise DC power supply would help lower the noise floor even further, delivering more dynamic range and, most importantly, more musicality. Sadly, I didn’t get to hear it then, but that moment was coming…

Cyrus 40 ppa - rear panel

Our Cyrus Evening in Cardiff

In June, we held a Cyrus evening at our Cardiff store, and we were joined by Jason Saxon from Cyrus Audio. The highlight? Jason brought with him the finished Cyrus 40 PPA.

The event itself was brilliant—plenty of music and chat about the 40 Series—but for me, the PPA was the real star of the show. Compared with the already excellent classic Cyrus phono stage, the improvements were clear: lower noise, more musicality, more detail. The front panel made adjustments simple, but the biggest surprise was how much more alive the music felt.

I remember listening to Sweet Soul Sister by The Cult, and I’d never heard Billy Duffy’s Les Paul Custom sound so good. The separation and definition between notes was outstanding. And then Jason added the matching Cyrus 40 PSU… let’s just say my wallet wasn’t impressed, but my ears were! By the end of the night I was sold: “Can I order a Cyrus 40 PPA, please?”

A Quick Look at the Specs

Here’s what the Cyrus 40 PPA offers:

  • Four turntable inputs, all MM and MC compatible

  • Configurable gain, load, and capacitance settings on MC inputs

  • Stereo output meters with peak hold

  • Warp filter to tame bass from warped records

  • Balanced XLR and RCA outputs

  • Ground lift switch to eliminate hum

  • Remote control included

  • Compatible with the 40 PSU

  • RJ45 Ethernet for firmware updates

Pretty serious, right? But specs only tell part of the story.

Listening Time: The Real Test

You know me—coffee in hand, records at the ready. This time I lined up:

  • Skid Row – Subhuman Race (1995), “Into Another”

  • The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards (2024), “Wilted Rose” ft. Lainey Wilson

  • Soundgarden – Down on the Upside (1993), “Pretty Noose”

Nytech cdp122 vs Cyrus 40 PPA

matt’s own gibson & black crowes : Happiness Bastards

With the phono preamp switched over and the 40 PPA set to moving magnet (my Dynavector 10X5 is a high-output moving coil), I was ready to go. The first track was Into Another by Skid Row. Straight away, I noticed a substantial drop in the noise floor. Rob Affuso’s drums had more space around them, and Snake Sabo’s Stratocaster had extra bite and definition.

When the chorus kicked in, I tried the Warp filter on the PPA—despite my record not being warped. All I can say is wow. The bass tightened up, giving the track more drive and a wider, more open soundstage. This was especially noticeable on the Black Crowes track that followed. Towards the end, as the percussion and Rich Robinson’s slide guitar on his ’68 Goldtop Les Paul (with those ultra-rare P90 pickups) really kicked in, there was more separation, clarity, and even a touch of extra emotion in the performance. Chris Robinson and Lainey Wilson’s duet was also better placed in the mix, making the vocal interplay more engaging.

Both Skid Row and the Black Crowes sounded superb, but the star of the evening was Soundgarden’s Pretty Noose. Kim Thayil’s opening riff leapt out, Matt Cameron’s drumming was thunderous, and Chris Cornell’s vocals were locked in and focused. It was so good, I had to spin the track again.

Matt’s rack in black

Conclusion: My Endgame Phono Stage

For some, the Hi-Fi journey ends once the system’s complete. For others (me included), it’s about chasing the next improvement, the missing detail. With the Cyrus 40 PPA, I feel like I’ve reached an endgame component—one I don’t plan to change.

It’s not just the sound that impresses me, but also how flexible and easy it is to adjust for different cartridges. And yes, a cartridge upgrade is on the horizon—that’ll be next month’s blog, where I’ll talk about a new Dynavector.

One last note: Cyrus are running a trade-up scheme from 1st October to 31st December 2025. Trade in your old kit and get a discount on new 40 Series units, unfortunately the 40 PPA is excluded from this promotion due to it being so new. Ask your nearest Audio T for details.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt Aaron - Audio T Cardiff

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Rega Planar 6 vs Planar 8 – Is the Upgrade Worth It?

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Matt from Audio T Cardiff goes deep into the Rega turntable lineup, comparing his trusted Planar 6 with the higher-end Planar 8. Is the jump worth it? Let’s find out.

rega logo

Hi again folks. As the title suggests, I’m once more exploring changes to the beating heart of my home Hi-Fi system. It’s been almost four years since I bought my beloved Rega Planar 6 turntable, which has never skipped a beat or let me down. If you’ve read my blogs before, you’ll know my passion for vinyl and its uniquely musical way of reproducing sound. To me – and maybe to many of you out there – vinyl remains the ultimate way to listen to music.

I’m writing this while cranking Ozzy Osbourne’s Mr Crowley from Blizzard of Ozz. There’s only one way to listen to the Prince of Darkness – LOUD. Anyway, let’s get back to business.

Why the Upgrade Question Came Up

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with one big question: should I upgrade from my Planar 6 to the Rega Planar 8?

The Planar 10 – and the flagship Naia – are a step too far for me at the moment. But on paper, the Planar 8 looks like a meaningful step up from the P6. So before we dive into listening impressions, let's take a look at the specs of both decks.

For this comparison, I’ve removed the cartridge variable by using my own Dynavector 10X5 Mk2 high-output moving coil.

Starting with my current turntable, let’s have a look at their respective specifidcations:

Planar 6 in black

Rega Planar 6 Specifications

  • RB330 tonearm with stainless steel balance weight

  • Dual-layered float glass platter

  • Double brace technology

  • Tancast 8 foam-core plinth

  • Custom-matched Neo PSU

  • EBLT reference drive belt fitted as standard


planar 8 in white

Rega Planar 8 Specifications

  • RB880 precision tonearm

  • Super flywheel-effect triple-layer glass platter

  • Double brace technology

  • Tancast 8 foam-core plinth

  • Custom-matched Neo PSU

  • 24-volt low-noise motor assembly

  • Two EBLT reference drive belts as standard



Looking Back – Why I Chose the Planar 6

It feels like time has flown since I picked up the P6. I remember the exact demo setup I used in our shop at the time: a Rega Planar 3 with an Exact cartridge, a Planar 6 with an Ania Pro, a Nytech CDP 122 phono stage, a Rega Elex-R amplifier, and a pair of Acoustic Energy AE300 speakers. Some of you might recall this system from when I first joined Audio T.

The Planar 3 was fantastic, but the P6 brought something extra. Beyond the cartridge differences, I immediately noticed a lower noise floor and a more refined overall presentation – I remember spinning Iron Maiden’s then-new album Senjutsu and being properly wowed.

planar 6 black with neo psu

Even now, I think the P6 stands tall among turntables in its class. The combination of Tancast foam-core plinth, advanced motor assembly, and overall design detail gives it a real sense of musicality. These are the reasons I’ve held onto it for so long – but something recently nudged me to reconsider.

So, Why Change?

If I’m so happy with the Planar 6, why even entertain the idea of switching?

Well, as you might’ve guessed I’m always chasing that next level of sonic performance. The turning point came during a demo I set up for a customer using the Planar 8. As I sat back and listened, I thought: this deck has something special. That moment planted the seed. I had to hear it for myself at home, using my own cartridge, in my own system.

Design Evolution – What Makes the Planar 8 Special?

Rega drew clear inspiration for the Planar 8 from their no-compromise Naiad turntable, and it really shows in the design. The plinth is strikingly skeletal, saving mass without sacrificing rigidity.

A major upgrade is the RB880 tonearm, with a redesigned vertical bearing assembly made from aluminium and stainless steel. It offers vastly improved rigidity and tracking stability over the RB330. Then there's the 24V motor and twin-belt drive on the sub-platter, which delivers more consistent torque.

planar 8 black with neo psu

One of the biggest innovations is the super flywheel triple-layer glass platter, developed in collaboration with a UK glass engineering company to Rega’s exact specs. It offers improved speed stability – and, in my opinion, a noticeable sonic gain.

The Listening Session Begins

Right – coffee in hand – time for the fun part…

big wreck lp displayed with matts very own strat

My Test Tracks

  • Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozz (1980) – Mr Crowley

  • Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier (2015) – El Dorado

  • Big Wreck – Albatross (2025) – Albatross

Let the evening of guitar-driven vinyl madness commence 🤟 (Apologies in advance for the nerdy detail. You’ve been warned.)

Planar 6 Listening Impressions

planar 6 fitted with dynavector 10×5

Kicking off with Mr Crowley, the Planar 6 delivers a powerful sense of presence. Don Airey’s keyboard intro sounds huge, with great clarity between notes. Then Randy Rhoads’ iconic riff cuts through – full of grit and character. You can really sense that gear combo: his Sandoval polka-dot Flying V with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups through the Marshall 1959 Super Lead. It’s the kind of track you just have to crank.

Planar 8 Listening Impressions

Cartridge transferred. Planar 8 powered up. Let’s go.

Calling the P8 "a bit better" than the P6 just doesn’t cut it. While it retains Rega’s signature sound, the differences are more than subtle. Right away, the RB880 feels smoother and more precise in tracking. While the RB330 is excellent – and something of a Hi-Fi icon – the RB880 takes things up a notch.

the essential tools for swapping the cartrdige over

Back to Mr Crowley – Rhoads’ guitar had even more texture and bite, and Ozzy’s vocals were better placed within the soundstage. Everything felt more alive. With Albatross by Big Wreck, there was greater clarity between notes and more space in the mix. Ian Thornley’s guitar tone was richer, and his vocals seemed more dynamic – made me want to grab a guitar and jam (emphasis on try).

planar 8 fitted with dynavector 10×5 high output

El Dorado by Iron Maiden was the biggest surprise. With three guitarists in the mix – Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers – there’s a lot going on. Around three minutes in, there's a blistering guitar battle between all three, and the P8 gave each player their own space in the mix. It sounded spectacular.

Final Verdict

As much as I love my Rega Planar 6 – and always will – the Planar 8 has definitely got me thinking. It builds on everything the P6 does well and pushes it further. I can easily see myself ordering one before the year’s out.

But before that, I’ve got another exciting upgrade on the way – the new Cyrus 40 PPA phono stage. I’ll be writing all about it when it arrives next month.

Try It Yourself

This weekend’s turntable shootout was eye-opening, and I highly recommend doing the same if you're curious. If you’re considering a step up from the P6, come in for a demo – hear the difference for yourself and let me know what you think.

Thanks for Reading

Matt Aaron - Audio T Cardiff

Riffs and Revolutions: A Very Different Kind of Vinyl Listening Event!

/ Audi T Cardiff/

As many of you know, Matt from Audio T Cardiff is a keen musician. Recently he hosted a vinyl event in Pontypridd, one of our home counties, alongside the fantastic team at A Strings guitar shop and with sponsorship from Rega. The event took place on Saturday, 28th September. If you were lucky enough to attend, you’ll know what a fantastic day it was—but if you missed out, here’s an account of what went down."

Over the years, our branches have traditionally hosted in-store events that have been highly successful, giving us the chance to showcase and demonstrate our featured brands at their best. These events have always been a real pleasure. But how do we reach a wider, more diverse, and perhaps younger audience, you may ask?

Personally, I wholeheartedly believe that music fans and musicians alike deserve access to a great-sounding hi-fi. Am I right? Of course, I am! Everyone should have a hi-fi that truly engages them—making you smile, even shed a tear, but most importantly, gets your feet tapping. Some of us even know that special piece of music that inspires us to pick up a guitar and master that riff or solo. (Thank you, Eddie Van Halen.)

As many of you know, I’ve previously organised Audio T Cardiff vinyl events outside the store at MEC Coffee, which were fantastic. This time, though, I thought it was time for something a little different.

Time for a little time travel! No, it doesn't involve a DeLorean.

When I talk about time travel, I’m really talking about this event. As most of you know, before my days with Audio T, I worked at a local guitar shop in Cardiff for 17 years. Being a guitarist, I started thinking about organising an event that combines my three biggest passions: music, hi-fi, and, of course, guitars. Musicians are often overlooked when it comes to hi-fi, which got me wondering—how can we bridge the gap between musicians and audiophiles?

Reflecting on my childhood, I feel lucky to have experienced music in such quality, thanks to my dad’s studio days. Everyone deserves access to great hi-fi, and I wanted to show that you don’t need to spend over £10,000 to enjoy a high-quality system, especially for vinyl playback—my favourite way to listen. How could I best demonstrate this? That’s when it hit me—I should reach out to my favourite guitar shop, A Strings.

In the hi-fi world, everyone knows everyone, and I’ve known the guys at A Strings, Andrew and Adam, for years as both friends and a customer (keeping my guitar addiction alive). I asked if they’d like to co-host an event with us in their store, and they were thrilled to say yes. We set the date, and both the A Strings team and I couldn’t have been more excited!

How about a little history about A Strings?

A Strings was founded in Cardiff back in 2006 by Andrew Morgan, originally specialising in guitar strings and accessories. Stocking over 1,000 varieties of strings—ranging from the popular to the obscure—they quickly built a loyal customer base, with many of their original customers still returning to this day. Over time, they expanded to stock a range of leading guitar brands, including Fender, Gretsch, and Gibson.

Fast-forward to the present, and A Strings is now located at 66 Broadway, Treforest, Pontypridd, where they’ve been for the past 15 years. In fact, they celebrated their 15th anniversary at this location on the day of the event.

An interesting fact about A Strings: they have supplied strings and gear to legendary musicians such as Brian May of Queen, Eric Clapton, the Manic Street Preachers, Motörhead, Killing Joke, and Mark Knopfler, to name just a few.

Reaching out to the turntable kings – Rega, that is.

With a good idea of the system I wanted to bring to the event—mainly Rega equipment—I reached out to our fantastic Rega representative, Rob Noble, about promoting the event on their website as well as ours and A Strings’. I also enquired about the possibility of a turntable giveaway, and Rega went above and beyond by generously donating a Rega Planar 1 Eco deck for the event’s prize draw.

Rega Planar 2 with nd3 cartridge

Rega’s God of amplification.

With everything in full swing—the advertising sorted and nearly everything ready to rock—I received an email from Rega’s amplification guru, Mr Terry Bateman, which was a real honour. Terry and I discussed how unique this event was compared to typical hi-fi events and how it bridges the gap between audiophiles and musicians. We also talked about amp design, especially the renowned Rega Brio, which Terry designed and voiced much like a guitar amplifier. It’s known for that rich analogue class AB warmth, reminiscent of solid-state guitar amps.

Terry shared his experiences before joining Rega, when he worked as an amp repairman for guitar amplification, focusing on brands like Fender, Marshall, and Vox. Like me, Terry has roots in the guitar industry and has even worked with notable musicians, including Robin Trower (if you haven’t heard Bridge of Sighs, give it a listen), The Hamsters, and many others. After our chat about amps, music, and classic rock, Terry said he would come along to the event. It’s a true privilege to have someone of his stature attending—as I said at the start, an amp legend!

What equipment did I bring to the event, I hear you ask?

Starting with the sources:

On the amplification front:

On the speaker front:

Cabling: Black Rhodium Intro speaker cables and interconnects.

Hi-Fi rack and stands:

On the vinyl cleaning side of things:

And now the fun really begins.

With the system set up and ready to go in what I can only call ‘guitar heaven,’ we were all set to rock. I spoke with many people about their records, collections, and equipment, and we even did several A-B tests, playing records before and after they’d been cleaned. One rare gem was Andrew’s original pressing of Queen II, and we played March of the Black Queen. Hearing the difference post-cleaning was incredible—the improvement was, as they say, night and day.

We also put the Rega system through its paces; to say it sounded fantastic doesn’t quite do it justice. The system truly demonstrated that you can build a great hi-fi setup without breaking the bank. The event itself had an amazing atmosphere, with rock tracks from every genre filling the space. Chatting with new faces about hi-fi, music, and guitars (my three favourite subjects), spending the afternoon with Andrew and the fantastic team at A Strings, meeting their customers, and having Terry from Rega there made for an absolute joy—a perfect afternoon of rock & roll and hi-fi.

And we have a winner!

A week had passed since the fantastic event at A Strings, and it was time to announce the lucky winner of a Rega turntable! I headed back to A Strings to reveal the winner on Fear’s Friday update. Yes, I did this live, and it went well—it was an honour to be part of their regular Friday video. So, who’s the winner? Drum roll, please... congratulations to Kris Morris!

Kris came by our store to collect his brilliant new Rega Planar 1 Eco deck. While he was here, I took him through a few amplification and speaker options to help him get set up and ready to enjoy his new system.

Are there more events like this on the way, you ask?

The short answer is a big, resounding yes! The event had such a fantastic vibe that it’s definitely worth doing again. In fact, I’ve spoken with Andrew and the team, and they’re keen to host another event with us at Audio T in the near future—so watch this space!

Thank you

A huge thank you once again to Andrew, Adam, and the team at A Strings for co-hosting the event with us, and to Terry and his lovely wife for attending—it was a real honour to have them there. Most importantly, a big thank you to everyone who came to the event; it was a genuine pleasure to meet you all, and I hope to see you again soon!

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt - Audio T Cardiff

Matt and the A String Team