Cyrus CD player

The Cyrus CD i represents the culmination of four decades of British expertise in compact disc playback. Designed and manufactured in the UK, this player features a 32-bit converter and Cyrus’s proprietary fourth-generation Servo Evolution technology. Recognized by What Hi-Fi? as the best CD player in its class for nine consecutive years, the CD i stands as a benchmark for anyone looking to rediscover their silver disc collection with precision and musicality rarely equalled.

A die-cast aluminum chassis serving sonic neutrality

The CD i sports Cyrus’s signature half-width chassis, measuring 215 mm wide, 73 mm high, and 360 mm deep. This pressure die-cast aluminum alloy structure is more than a visual signature: it’s a foundational element of the brand’s acoustic philosophy. The unit’s 3.6 kg speak to a robust build where every component contributes to overall rigidity.

The front panel features a monochrome LCD display above the slot-loading disc entry. This latest-generation slot-load mechanism, equipped with LEDs rather than traditional lamps, eliminates plastic sliding trays with loose tolerances. The precisely machined metal mechanism guides the disc to the drive motor without unnecessary contact, reducing parasitic vibrations from the moment of insertion.

Front-panel buttons provide direct control of essential functions, while an iR14 infrared remote offers full operation from the listening position. This programmable remote can learn commands from other devices and lights up automatically thanks to an integrated motion detector.

Servo Evolution technology: read it right the first time

At the heart of the CD i beats the Servo Evolution (SE) engine, the result of a development effort launched in 2008 when Cyrus decided to stop relying on generic off-the-shelf mechanisms. This proprietary technology, now in its fourth generation, is based on a simple yet demanding principle: extract data from the disc with maximum accuracy on the first pass.

Conventional mechanisms perform constant rapid lateral movements to reread poorly captured data. These corrections generate what Cyrus calls “servo noise” — current spikes in the power supply that raise the noise floor and degrade sound quality. The SE system reduces read errors by 20% compared to market reference players by deliberately slowing the disc’s rotation. This approach allows the laser to capture all information with increased precision, minimizing the workload of the servomotors and, consequently, the electrical noise generated.

The control software, developed entirely in-house in Huntingdon, optimizes every playback parameter: rotation speed, laser focus, data synchronization. This total control of the playback chain, from firmware to mechanical components, enables Cyrus to extract from CD-Audio an amount of information many considered unattainable with this forty-year-old format.

A 32-bit converter tuned for CD-Audio

The CD i incorporates a 32-bit digital-to-analog converter directly inherited from the brand’s high-end DAC XP Signature. This choice may seem surprising for a 16-bit/44.1 kHz format, but the logic is compelling: 32-bit oversampling and digital filtering calculations maintain maximum precision during conversion.

Unlike universal converters that must handle multiple resolutions and formats, the CD i’s DAC is specifically optimized for the CD-Audio 16-bit/44.1 kHz PCM stream. The reconstruction filters have been meticulously calibrated for this single format, eliminating any compromise. This dedicated approach fully exploits the often underestimated potential of CD-Audio.

The analog output stage has received particular care. Components were selected for their ability to preserve the dynamics and micro-details extracted by the SE system. The circuit uses polyester and ALCAP capacitors paired with air-core inductors, ensuring signal transmission without coloration.

A modular design built for upgradability

The CD i’s internal circuitry is divided into two discrete sections, a hallmark that reveals Cyrus’s commitment to upgradability. This separation allows for the later addition of the external PSX-R2 power supply, a regulated power block that completely isolates the DAC section from the other circuits.

The internal power supply already uses nine independent voltage regulators to feed the different sections: digital circuits, servomotors, DAC, analog stage. Each circuit thus receives perfectly stable voltage isolated from disturbances in the other sections. The oversized toroidal transformer minimizes electromagnetic radiation while providing generous current reserves.

Adding the PSX-R2 takes this logic further by relocating the audio section’s power supply into a separate chassis. This configuration eliminates any intermodulation between power circuits and delicate analog signals, improving timing precision and expanding the soundstage.

Connectivity designed for system integration

The rear panel of the CD i reveals comprehensive, well-considered connectivity. Two pairs of RCA analog outputs allow simultaneous connection of two amplifiers or the use of bi-wire interconnects. Toslink optical and RCA coaxial digital outputs enable the use of an external converter, turning the CD i into a high-precision digital transport.

The MC-BUS (RCA) connectors are a Cyrus-specific feature that enables communication between the brand’s components. This proprietary bus synchronizes power on/standby across multiple units and allows control of the entire system with a single remote. An upgrade port completes the set, enabling future firmware updates.

This wealth of connections reflects Cyrus’s intent to create devices that integrate into varied configurations, from a perfectly synchronized all-Cyrus system to pairing with electronics from other brands via analog or digital outputs.

Technical Specifications

Audio Playback

• CD player compatible with CD-DA
• Front-panel control buttons
• LCD display
• Remote control included

Connectivity

• Audio outputs
  • 2 stereo RCA line outputs
  • 1 S/PDIF optical Toslink output
  • 1 S/PDIF coaxial RCA output
• Communication ports
  • 1 RCA BUS port
  • 1 upgrade port

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 215 x 73 x 360 mm
• Weight: 3.6 kg