Have your say & ask the experts

Hi everyone.

I currently own Cyrus cd6s, Cyrus 8vs2 and Focal 726 speakers.
This is my first hi-fi system, and I now intend to upgrade to my last:
cyrus cd xt se
bryston external dac & preamp 26 & 4b
focal 1037

As my auditioning options are very limited, I'm counting on the many reviews I've read.
Still, I am not sure about the following:
1. Do these components play well together ?
2. Is this setup budget-balanced ?

Your help will be much appreciated.
Aviram.

Well the DAC will certainly transform your alrea excellent CD player, giving the whole system a good basis to work from.

I haven't heard the 1037's, but I have heard a few Focal's (the numbers escape me), and based on that, they should be very detailed and energetic loudspeakers. High end speakers like to be driven - and the 4b would see to that. It could be argued that the speakers can handle even more, but having owned a 3bst, even that seemed to drive the speakers I had at the time beyond the limits I'd comfortably isten to. And I like it loud. So far I don't think I'be heard a loudspeaker that hasn't benefitted from a Bryston being introduced into the system. I do have a soft spot for Bryston and their capabilities.

I can't stress enough the importance of a demo with this level of equipment. Its all personal taste, hence the choice. Even if you can't hear your intended purchases, try and hear a few alternatives to get an idea of what you should be expecting at this price point.

Regards

David

What is your idea of loud, lets say if you snap your fingers a few inch's from your ear and you dont hear it, is that loud or louder?

Hi

Just to say if you decide to go for the Bryston dac and are ideally wanting to buy it used or ex dem to save money, it is worth looking at importing one from Canada. I bought my Bryston BDA1, which was in 10/10 condition, by importing a used one from the Canadian site Audiogon.
Because the RRP of Bryston products in Canada is the same figure as GBP but with a Canadian dollar instead, you can imagine how buying used really allows you to obtain a price which you wouldn't get from a UK hifi dealer. However, there is certainly a risk in going down this method - like any auction ste you are just putting your trust in them based on other positive feedback received, and you may feel like the security and service you can get at a dealer is invaluable!

However, in my experience it was worth it! The Bryston dac now has £2150, my one which was essentially new (hadn't been fully opened) cost £1080 including import costs and used in conjunction with my aiprort express, offers great convenience and terrific sound quality!

Sorry for the ramble and best of luck in trying out different combos

hi ak47,in my opinion if your prepared to buy quality kit like this then ideally you should demo first,however depending on where you live in the world this is not always easy,the cyrus is an excellent transport and the bryston pre and power are excellent and come with a fantastic warranty,combined with the dac i think you would be able to supply a top class supply to your speakers,i have very little knowledge of the focals,but do know that brystons work very well together with pmc speakers so try to consider these if you can,bryston also make a very capable cd player themselves which may appeal on cost grounds so consider this also,good luck,i dont think you can go wrong with bryston in my opinion,but your musical taste should in the end dictate what you buy and that brings us back to the demo situation.

Sounds like the makings of a good system to me, although I would make every effort to demo before investing.

The Bryston combo are well matched, even though I have a suspicion that the BP26 preamp can be bettered at RRP it does go well with the matching power amp, especially if you want to retain the aesthetics of an all Bryston faceplate.

You already have Focal speakers so I presume by upgrading you want to retain the character you already like but just get more from them.  I agree with comments above, I haven't heard speakers that don't benefit from the drive that the high current Bryston power amp can provide, and more importantly the 4B never tries to force the issue - it's like the difference between a V8 engine just ticking over with plenty to spare versus a tuned 1.8i being revved hard!

As for your transport the new Cyrus XTSE gets very good reviews and in your proposed configuration would not by virtue of its functionality, impart the trademark Cyrus character, which to my ears is not the best of matches with Focal but hey we all hear things slightly differently don't we.  In fact unless you are wedded to the Cyrus you could look at a range of transports that would do a job without sacrificing the overall quality of sound that your set up would produce - I'd argue that the transport has the least impact of all the components on overall sonic character.  As above if you can find one at a good price the Bryston CD player would complete the look of your system very nicely.

Remember to come back and give us a full review! 

Hi all.

Thank you very much for your replies.

pommie steve, wouldn't the brystons be an overkill for a pmc pair ?

crimsondonkey, are you talking about brightness when you say cyrus and focals don't match ? What transports would you recommend (I would like to keep the transport and DAC separated) ?

Thanks again.
Aviram.

Hi,

Just to be clear I am saying that some find (well quite a few really) that Cyrus Cd's and amps can be quite forward when matched with Focal speakers.  However I would not expect this in your case because you're only using Cyrus as a transport  and it will be the Bryston and more likely Focal that will be more determinant of sonic 'character'. So no problem then! 

Typically, planning a full blown upgrade on paper is a recipe for disaster.  Synergy is the key to a great system and that requires careful system matching.  However, your plan is not too far fetched since you already have a Cyrus CDP and Focal speakers.  You already know these brands and like them, so moving up within the brands is a bit safer.  Regarding the Bryston, you might want to consider other brands just because Brystons are a bit pricey in the UK.  I'd be wondering if you couldn't get more for your money sticking with a British brand.  Leema Tucana II is getting very good press.

I know the Bryston's are expensive, but I've not found much that can match their drive and current capabilities. Their control of awkward speakers is phenominal, and there are a few speakers I've heard that ONLY sounded decent on the end of Bryston. Some power amps have a lot of power, but that doesn't necessarily mean they sound any good. If you have a speaker that just doesn't sound right, and you've tried many amps, try a Bryston - I guarantee it'll do the job.

They are massively engineered - the phrase bomb proof springs to mind. And don't forget their 20 year warranty, that's along time, and worth paying a little extra for.

The only other amplification that might come close or match will be the ATC - I'll let you know at the end of the month when our CA2/P1 pre/power turns up and is put in the demo room for running in.