Cyrus 40 CD Review: Premium Compact Disc Player with Exceptional Sound

Experience the refined sound and elegant design of the Cyrus 40 CD, a premium compact disc player that balances tradition with modern technology.

A Fresh Breath Into a Legendary Brand

There’s something truly special about witnessing a brand’s evolution, especially when it’s a name as iconic as Cyrus Audio. Celebrating 40 years of innovation, the British company revitalized its lineup with the Cyrus 40 series, boasting the powerful Cyrus 40 ST streamer and the engaging Cyrus 40 AMP amplifier. Their sound was a revelation—punchy, precise, and unmistakably Cyrus. Naturally, the big question for audio enthusiasts was: Would the Cyrus 40 CD player carry that same torch? Judging by glowing reviews, it seems the answer is a confident yes, though it does come with some quirks familiar to those who’ve followed the brand’s journey.

Design and Build: Classic Cyrus Style Meets Modern Elegance

Stepping up to the Cyrus 40 CD, you instantly recognize the family resemblance to its siblings—the 40 ST and 40 AMP. That classic Cyrus chassis has been carefully modernized. Sporting a matte anodized aluminum body paired with a glass front panel, the player screams sophistication without overdoing it—precisely what you’d expect at this price point.

The unit’s weighty feel (about 5.2 kg) reassures you that quality lies within, while the crisp text display and touch controls offer both style and function. You can easily read track info from across the room, though smaller menu details might have you leaning in for a closer look.

Technical Specs at a Glance:

• Type: Integrated CD Player
• SACD Support: No
• Outputs: Optical, coaxial, 2 RCA line outputs
• Dimensions: 8.8 x 22 x 36.5 cm
• Weight: 5.2 kg

Looking back, our old faithful Cyrus CDi—with its gray metal casing and green display—already felt like a relic. Yet the DNA is unmistakable, and the Cyrus designers deserve kudos for evolving the look while honoring their heritage.

Inside, the 40 CD is a technological marvel built for "maximum possible performance." It uses a 32-bit ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M chip and HyperStream IV Dual DAC tech. Each part is handpicked, and the engineers carefully optimized the PCB layout for the best sonic output. This isn’t just a CD player; it’s a well-crafted piece of audio art.

Fine-Tuning the Sound: Filters and Power Design

Just like the 40 ST streamer and 40 AMP amp, the Cyrus 40 CD offers eight digital filters. These subtle variations let you tailor the sound to your ears and system, with favorites often being the “Minimum Phase” and “Linear Phase” (Slow Roll-Off) options for a natural and open soundstage.

What's impressive is the meticulous power management: separate power supplies for digital and analog stages reduce noise and interference. Plus, nine separate regulators distribute power evenly, ensuring the player performs at its peak.

For those wanting even more refinement, there’s an optional external power supply, the 40 PSU. Adding this unit offers cleaner power, dedicated supplies for the clock and analog DAC sections, and noticeably elevates overall audio clarity.

Features and User Experience: Simplicity with a Focus on Sound

The Cyrus approach has always been about prioritizing audio quality over flashy extras, and the 40 CD stays true to that ethos. It offers two RCA analog outputs and optical and coaxial digital outputs—period. USB-A and RJ45 Ethernet ports exist but serve only for firmware updates, not playback.

A notable absence is SACD playback, which might make some pause, especially seeing competitors like the TEAC VRDS-701 offering SACD support, DSD file compatibility, MQA decoding, and headphone jacks. But Cyrus is unapologetically focused: this player is all about the pure CD experience.

Unlike many modern players, there’s no USB input for high-res files or Bluetooth. For a device this refined, it feels like a deliberate choice—keeping the design clean and the sound uncompromised.

Operating the 40 CD is straightforward. The clever use of the Cyrus logo as a power button is a neat touch, while touch controls handle play/pause, skip, and eject commands. However, the touchscreen can be a tad temperamental—sometimes requiring a double tap, particularly on the play/pause button. Thankfully, the slim remote included is responsive and makes controlling playback smooth and effortless.

One small gripe: the repeat function was removed to streamline the unit and remote. It feels like a missed opportunity, as hitting repeat on a beloved album is a classic ritual. Sure, you can restart the album by pressing play again, but a dedicated repeat button would’ve been the cherry on top.

Sound Quality: The Heart of the Cyrus 40 CD

Once the music starts, all niggles fade into the background. Connected to a stellar setup like the Burmester 088/911MkIII amplifier and ATC SCM50 speakers, the Cyrus 40 CD sings with a confidence that’s impossible to ignore.

This player has been a beloved favorite for over a decade, consistently earning top accolades and becoming a benchmark in many audiophile test labs. The new 40 CD is pricier but clearly surpasses its predecessor in every respect.

Its detailing and clarity are remarkable, yet it achieves this with a light touch—there’s no harshness or fatigue. It’s a player that reveals the music’s soul without drawing attention to itself.

We spun Norah Jones’ Feels Like Home, and the delicate beauty of her voice shimmering on “Sunrise” was captured with stunning accuracy and nuance. Every note felt purposeful, every instrument textured, painting a rich and immersive soundscape.

Dynamics are equally impressive. Quiet passages hold an emotional weight, drawing you in as much as the powerful crescendos. Switching gears to Kendrick Lamar’s Humble, the rhythm kicks hard, propelled by a tight, punchy bass and crisp highs that sparkle without piercing.

Then, diving into Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue reveals the player’s agility. Rapid piano runs are precise and playful, yet every note reveals layers of harmony and texture. The orchestra enjoys ample space, instruments placed perfectly within a wide soundstage that makes you feel part of the performance.

What’s truly delightful about the Cyrus 40 CD is how balanced it sounds—no overly dominant frequencies, no sacrificing emotion to achieve technical precision. This is music to savor, not dissect, a hallmark of a truly great hi-fi product.

Classic rock fans will appreciate how the deep, powerful bass notes kick off Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused,” followed by Robert Plant’s razor-sharp vocals. The stereo image is expansive and rock-solid, with drums and guitars weaving perfectly across the soundstage.

“Whole Lotta Love” showcases a gritty electric guitar mesh with pounding drums, and even the ethereal theremin elements gain depth and texture rarely heard from such an elusive instrument.

Throw in the 40 PSU power supply, and the Cyrus 40 CD gains even more muscle: sound becomes fuller, bass deeper and more authoritative, and noise drops significantly. Gershwin’s orchestra gains an extra level of drama and excitement without losing any of the inherent finesse and smoothness that define Cyrus’ signature sound.

Final Verdict: Elegant, Precise, and Engaging

The Cyrus 40 CD is a solid, versatile addition to the premium 40 series. It may not have every feature under the sun, and the touch controls could be slicker, but when it comes to sound, it shines brightly.

Its playback is precise, balanced, and nuanced, with every musical element delivered thoughtfully and clearly. Simply put, this is a top-notch CD player that offers pure listening pleasure. Plug it into a worthy system, insert a favorite disc, and prepare for an audiophile journey worth savoring.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build: 5/5
• Features: 3/5

The level of detail, clarity, stability, and rhythmic precision the Cyrus 40 CD delivers is simply fantastic.

FAQ

• How does the Cyrus 40 CD handle SACD playback?
  The Cyrus 40 CD does not support SACD playback. It is focused solely on standard compact discs.
• Can I connect Bluetooth devices to the Cyrus 40 CD?
  No, this player does not have Bluetooth connectivity.
• What digital outputs are available on the Cyrus 40 CD?
  It offers optical and coaxial digital outputs, along with two analog RCA line outputs.
• Is an external power supply necessary for the Cyrus 40 CD?
  It’s optional, but the 40 PSU power supply can enhance sound quality significantly by providing cleaner power.
• Does the Cyrus 40 CD have a USB input for high-res files?
  No, the USB-A port is only for firmware updates, not for media playback.

If you’re inspired to celebrate your favorite music in style, consider shopping for your favorite album cover poster to complement your listening space at our store Architeg Prints. It’s a subtle way to bring the magic of classic albums right into your home.