Cyrus VS8 amplifier.

[Geordie McBoyne]

I'm busy assessing if this Cyrus amplifier can be repaired. I know nothing about these amplifiers and service information appears to be difficult to find.
Evidently a very good amplifier, high output power and low distortion.
I reckon the owner would better off sending the units direct to the manufactures' service department.

Geordie McBoyne.

[Mark Hennessy]

Rather you than me

I've never been a fan of Mission stuff. Looking at the pictures, it doesn't look like they were built with service in mind, which is parr for the course with their stuff in my experience so far. Obviously it depends on what the fault actually is - it might be easy. But from the pictures, it looks like just getting the PCBs out might not be straightforward... Without schematics, you'll really struggle. Being surface-mount, with a double-sided (at least) PCB, it would be quite hard to reverse-engineer the schematics.

I think the PSU was an optional extra, so the amplifier ought to work on its own - again, depending on what the fault is, that might help with troubleshooting. The cynic in me suspects the outboard PSUs were a clever way to make money, but I didn't say that out loud

I'm quite experienced with audio design and repair, so the fact I'd shy away from it ought to tell you something

[Geordie McBoyne]

Hi Mark,
I was always led to believe this was a PWM class D amplifier but now now I'm sure it isn't. One of the output transistors is short-circuit and goodness knows what other components have been taken out.
Good advice, I will return the units to the owner with the advice that he should contact the manufactures' service department.

Link to the manufactures description of the Cyrus 8VS amplifier:

https://www.cyrusaudio.com/support/other...yrus-8vs2/

Geordie McBoyne.

[Mark Hennessy]

I need to lie down after reading all that! It's reminded me why I stopped reading hi-fi magazines.

One interesting thing I spotted - when used, the external PSU is only powering the pre-amp stages. All that weight and heft, just supplying a few 10s of milliamps. Hmm...

With a shorted output transistor, you're wise to walk away

[Bushbaby]

Sorry to hear this Geordie. I do hope that this can be fixed.

Best Regards

[Geordie McBoyne]

Hi Bushbaby,
there is no point continuing to attempt a repair to this amplifier.
Evidence of burnt components in the auxiliary power supply unit.

Geordie McBoyne.

[Bushbaby]

Oh dear. In some respects this finalises my thoughts on buying newer hifi equipment as it appears impossible to fix modern circuit boards using such tiny components. But like all electronics now-days it a case of replacement and not repair!

Best Regards

Rob

[Murphyv310]

Hi
Totally agree with Mark and I'd be handing back the amplifier to the customer.
I was doing High End audio for Sound Aid in Dundee up to the middle of last year and gave it up. The success level was the lowest of my life, down in the main due to lack of support, no manuals, no parts, virtually impossible access and for course multilayered boards with surface mounted components.
Goodness knows who will attempt these amps, he had at least three engineers in 4 years before me, that tells me a story in itself!

https://soundaid.co.uk

[Geordie McBoyne]

Oh dear.  In some respects this finalises my thoughts on buying newer hifi equipment as it appears impossible to fix modern circuit boards using such tiny components. But like all electronics now-days it a case of replacement and not repair!
Best Regards
Rob

Hi Rob,
better off with good old fashioned valve amplifiers, Williamson, Quad II, Leak, Mullard 5-20 etc. I'm using a modded RGD 1046 amplifier.
I'm told the Cyrus amplifier was close to £900 to buy!

Geordie McBoyne.

[Jez]

I've repaired a couple before and the 100W monoblock power amp versions. Indeed not easy to work on! £900 is not considered expensive these days for a hi fi amp.... The similar looking current TOTR 300W monoblocks are £7000 a pair!

With gear like that I would quote up to £400 to repair it and that if I can't repair it there will still be a charge of up to £200 for the several hours I will have put into it before having to give up. That tends to put the time wasters off.