Cyrus appears to have taken a leaf out of Linn’s book on ‘what the customer wants’ and launched the Lyric Series – its first ever all-in-one music system range. By creating a totally new design platform, Cyrus has integrated its audio technology with “cutting edge” control and design. From the ‘Black Panel’ touch-screen display – which ‘wakes up’ when a user is nearby through to the advanced music streaming, digital to analogue converter (DAC) and amplifier technology, Cyrus has “managed to pack a huge amount of functionality and audiophile know-how into Lyric’s aluminium and glass chassis.”
The amplifier also seems to have something of the Glaswegian about it, Cyrus doesn’t use the words ‘switching power supply’ but that is the inference. This is what they do say: the new Cyrus hybrid power amplifier platform combines high efficiency output devices with a tuned analogue power stage. Both models feature proprietary speaker impedance detection (SID) circuitry, which senses the impedance of the connected speakers and adjusts the output stage to suit. This is interesting and if sonically rewarding will presumably result in separates containing the same technology.
At launch, two products are available; Lyric 09 (£3,000) with 170 watts per channel, and Lyric 05 (£2,250) with 80 Watts per channel. Cyrus has developed “advanced” DACs for the Lyric, the 05 has a 24bit/192kHz device while the Lyric 09 offers a 32bit/192kHz DAC with upsampling, developed for the company’s Signature series. Lyric’s streamer is based on the company’s dedicated streaming products, it displays artwork on its front panel and can be easily navigated with Cyrus’ Cadence app for iPhone and iPad. Lyric’s built-in Bluetooth connectivity provides a close range digital interface that utilising the A2DP and aptX standards.
Front and rear USB A inputs cater for iPods and USB drives. For PCs and Macs, a USB B port is supplied on the rear panel. Lyric also offers CD playback via a slot loader under the display. Radio can be received from FM, DAB+ and internet sources, the TunedIn internet radio service giving users access to over 70,000 stations. Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs alongside a stereo analogue input are available for external sources. Although many consumers will use the Cadence app to control the Lyric’s functions, the “Black Panel” is a glass touch system incorporating proximity sensors to offer “hidden” user features that allow Lyric to be “understated and blend into the home”. Automatic ambient adjustment of backlights and colour display (which displays album art when streaming) can fade out graphics when the user is not present (proximity sensors bring the panel graphics back to life when nearby), backlit icons for the most useful controls are hidden behind the panel. To control Lyric remotely, a backlit, learning IR remote is included. Styled to match Lyric, it uses motion sensors to activate the backlight when in use. A class A headphone circuit can be accessed via a 3.5 mm socket hidden behind the front panel.