Cyrus Audio 80 Series Goes Full Width: Finally Shedding Half-Width Humbug After 40 Years — Who Knew Bigger Could Be This Bloody Brilliant

Right, let’s set the scene: for over 40 years, Cyrus Audio built its reputation on half-width components — those neat little boxes that made you wonder if your hi-fi was just a toy or the real deal. The kind of distinct, half-size look that screamed, “I’m British, I’m clever, and I don’t need to take up your entire rack.” It was their signature move, their style, their stubborn pride.

Back in 2023, Cyrus Audio celebrated its 40th anniversary—a brand that still doesn’t get nearly enough attention here in North America. We have covered the brand extensively over the years and absolutely loved the CDi-XR CD player and the i7-XR integrated amplifier.

It always felt a bit strange—borderline baffling, really—that a brand like Cyrus, known for making some of the best phono pre-amplifiers in the world (and that’s not an exaggeration), never dipped a toe into the turntable market. Especially given their deep roots in British hi-fi and the wealth of capable UK-based OEM turntable manufacturers they could have partnered with. For a company that nailed MM and MC performance with the Phono Signature/PSX-R2, the absence of a Cyrus-branded deck always left a turntable-shaped hole in their lineup.

That’s why the launch of the Cyrus TTP turntable in October 2023 finally felt like the missing puzzle piece falling into place.

Then, in October 2024, they dropped the 40 series with a cheeky line about a ‘new beginning.’ You’d be forgiven for thinking it was just marketing fluff, the usual audio PR baloney. But hold on to your tweed jacket, because Cyrus wasn’t messing around — this new beginning has evolved, and now they’re throwing down the gauntlet with the 80 series. Yes, bigger, bolder, and finally full width.

Before you panic and think Cyrus has gone all “look at me, I’m huge now,” calm down. This isn’t some mad pivot or a betrayal of their half-width roots. As Head of Marketing Chris Hutcheson points out, it’s a smart, logical expansion. The 80 series is for the folks who want that proper, grown-up full-width look but still want to keep that Cyrus DNA alive. They’ve opened the door to a new crowd without slamming it in the old guard’s face.

The 80 series is basically the 40 series stretched out on a bigger frame, designed to integrate seamlessly with the half-width lineup. Think of it as the 40 series hitting the gym and bulking up — same style, just more room to breathe. That extra space means the engineers can fit bigger power supplies inside, so you get the kind of performance previously reserved for external PSUs — all tucked inside one handsome unit.

Set your calendars for November 2025, because the 80 series drops then, with three shiny new beasts:

• 80 AMP: A 150W per channel, class A/B streaming integrated amplifier powered by the BluOS platform. Fancy, yes, but still proper British muscle.
• 80 PRE: A preamp with built-in BluOS that plays nice with…
• 80 PWR: A 200W per channel class A/B power amp that can switch to mono and push 300W bridgeable power — enough to scare your neighbors off.

Price-wise, we’re talking £5,000 to £6,000 per unit, which firmly puts Cyrus in the ring with Naim, Cambridge Audio, and Linn — the big boys of British hi-fi. So, if you thought Cyrus was staying a niche half-width boutique brand, think again.

And if you want to mix and match, the 40 series CD player and PPA can still hook up with the 80 series amps — because Cyrus believes in “your system, your way,” not “your system, our rules.”

The Bottom Line

Attendees at High End Munich 2025 got an opening glance at the new, full-width Cyrus 80 Series lineup, with the company showcasing the products on display at Motorworld. But if you were hoping for detailed specifications, you were out of luck—Cyrus, like many brands this year, kept the finer details under wraps.

And that’s starting to feel like a trend at the final Munich Show: more teaser, less substance. It’s hard not to wonder if this growing tendency to unveil hardware without the hard facts is tied to the uncertainty around manufacturing costs, ongoing supply chain issues, or even the looming specter of tariffs. Or maybe the show’s final dance was just one big hype machine. Either way, it’s a shift that feels more frustrating than exciting—for press, dealers, and consumers alike.

Should you be excited about the new Cyrus 80 Series?

Nick Clarke, Managing Director of Cyrus Audio, put it best: “We’ve proudly carried the torch for 40-plus years, and the 40 series showed we could refresh the brand. The 80 series? That’s the next step. We’re listening to our customers, being flexible, and trust me, this expansion is just the beginning. There’s more mischief to come.”

So, there you have it — Cyrus finally getting wider without losing their edge. Long live the rebellion against half-width monotony.

Related Reading:

• Cyrus Audio’s TTP Turntable Is A Very Expensive 40th Birthday Gift To Audiophiles
• Cyrus Audio’s 40 Series Components Represent A Major Refresh For The British Manufacturer
• Cyrus Audio I7-XR & Wharfedale Linton Heritage: The Audiophile System Builder [Updated]
• Cyrus Audio I7-XR Integrated Amplifier: Review