Cyrus Phono Signature: A review.

S0und Dragon

Moderator and Circus Hand.
Staff member
Site Supporter
The Cyrus Phono Signature

A jewel in the crown of my Vinyl playback chain. The Cyrus Phono signature has been a truly revelatory addition. After deciding to bring the Analog playback capabilities of my system up to par with the digital, I came to realize that I would need to set some ground rules down. My system needed to sound good and required an ease of use and convenience that many of my previous systems lacked. I also desperately wished to have one phono stage that had multiple inputs. My contenders after doing my research were The Luxman EQ-500, The Gold Note PH-10 and PSU-10 and lastly the Cyrus Phono Signature and Psx-r(2) power supply.

Out of the three, I was able to hear and demo two in person. A good friend of mine owns the Gold Note combo in gorgeous metallic red and I was able to pry it from him for a weekend of listening. It looked like Ironman and I enjoyed it very much. I was sure that it would be my next phono pre and it too deserves a write up. However, I happened upon a fine Canadian fellow selling his near new Cyrus Phono signature. For the price he set and CAD to USD conversion, it was a risk I had to take. I figured if I did not like it, I could move it along and be out little if anything on it.

Before I get ahead of myself, I did manage to hear the Luxman EQ-500 at the NY audio show 2 years in a row. An absolute gem of a phono pre that deserves a proper demo and write up. I really wanted to buy this Phono preamp. However, at an MSRP considerably higher than the other two contenders and more than both combined. I just could not bring myself to layout that much of my money. Therefore, I still admire it very much and would love to try it out someday. It will exit stage left from this write up.

The Stats of the phono signature are very impressive. The company’s official page on it is here: The award-winning Cyrus Phono Signature Phono Stage . Stats are:

Type: Solid-state phono stage

Inputs: 4× RCA stereo pairs for individual cartridge inputs, multi-pin PSX-R2 input

Outputs: XLR balanced and RCA single ended stereo line level outputs, MC-Bus RCA in and out

RIAA filter accuracy: ±0.5dB

MM input sensitivity: 4mV,

MM input impedance: 47kΩ

MC input sensitivity range: 120µV-4mV

MC input impedance values: 11Ω, 16Ω, 33Ω, 47Ω, 100Ω, 150Ω, 333Ω, 500Ω, 1kΩ, 47kΩ

MC capacitive load options: 220pf, 1nF, 2nF, 3nF

Dimensions (W×H×D): 2.5×7.5×36.5cm

Weight: 4.1kg

The Cyrus Audio Phono Signature is a discrete phono stage. It features four completely independent RCA inputs and all four inputs are configurable by remote control! Output goes through either XLR or RCA lineouts. While it does not offer alternative EQ settings, it does allow the user to change impedance and capacitance and store those settings. This is adjustable on the fly either from the front panel or by remote. The Phono Signature is extremely nimble in terms of cartridge matching. Resistance and capacitance are adjustable, as well as gain. The phono signature is able to increase gain from 40dB to 70dB! There are 160 different permutations of these three parameters available to the user. No dip -switches or internal jumpers here! It is all right up front for you to adjust and store. All this capability placed into the distinctive cast half-width Cyrus casework, designed to match with other Cyrus components perfectly. Such as the external power supply.
 
All that is great and all, but how does it sound?

I
t is deceptive to attribute a sound to something that ideally we would want to be neutral. However, the desire for neutral in turn leads us to feeling that the sound is either analytical or Sterile or both. All parts of the chain in turn contribute to the overall sound of a system. So I have to try to figure out what is it that I am hearing. Off the bat, No added noise what so ever. No hiss, hum or buzz. It is silent and gloriously so. A deep black canvas from which the music paints the picture. Even with my Spectral MCR that can use 60 to 70 dB gain and would evoke a slight rushing noise at higher volumes with my previously owned Phono preamplifiers and even a few SUTS.

I find it much more accurate and engaging than say my highly modified Lounge Audio LCR. Anyone who read my write up of that combo knows that I really appreciated what it did. The Lounge stack sent every other phono stage I owned packing, but only after extensive modification from the designer and a bit of added cost. I found myself appreciating the ease of use in comparison to the A23 and Microtrans Suts I have/had on hand here.

Therefore, what sets the Cyrus apart for me is that it is adjustable, musical and resolving. I have always felt that I compromised between these attributes in audio. In my stereo journey, I have climbed up the high end peaks to see what it was and came away realizing what I like in the moment and what I need long term for musical satisfaction are not always the same things. The Cyrus is able to deliver on both fronts.

I am anxiously awaiting the Arrival of the External power supply, called the PSX-R2. Allegedly the power supply makes this already excellent Phono preamplifier sound even better. I look forward to sharing my impressions of it once it is here.
 
Last edited:
So that is it? No criticism at all? All up side?

Well, not quite. I have a few things to say about it that may knock it down a peg. For one, I have become an absolute lover of remotes. I cannot live without one and have sent gear packing for its omission. Especially modern gear. There is almost no excuse, in this day and age that a remote is not included with stuff. The Cyrus has a remote as I already mentioned. However, it is not really a well thought out remote. It makes me feel that it was an afterthought. It looks like it was recycled from another component for the task. I really wonder how much cost would have increased to design a dedicated remote for the Phono signature. To me at least, well-designed remote heralds well designed gear. The display is difficult to read from afar. I feel like this could have been implemented more effectively, but most likely with increased cost. Cyrus is not by a long shot the worst offender in the digital watch display game. Nevertheless, it is hard to read the screen, especially if you are a bit far away or at an angle from the front. Finally yet importantly, I wish the buttons had a more tactile feel to them. A bit of a click or a spring back. I know it seems a bit superficial. But such design choices make a product feel more robust and less……..frugal?

None of these observations however detracts from the fact that the Cyrus Phono Signature is an excellent Phono preamplifier. In addition, one that should be considered, especially if you have either multiple tone arms or tables with multiple cartridges. Each requiring individual loading and gain. It sounds fantastic and is overall a pleasure to own.
 
Great read! I wish I could have had a listen to it. Seems like something I’d enjoy.

Is it really only 10 pounds? Just seemed very solid.
 
Back
Top