I am in the UK and have just purchased an early Cyrus 2 amplifier (Issue 04). The reason I bought it is because 1) I love restoring Cyrus One and Two amplifiers and 2) I've never seen a 120V model.
Seeing as I have a spare transformer from my 240V donor unit, I was wondering if anyone her could give me some advice on whether, in terms of resale value, it would be worth converting the amplifier to 240V or restoring and selling on the amplifier at its original 120V specification?
I would probably be putting the unit up for sale on eBay once it is ready so I'm hoping that, if it remains at 120V, it would pick up some interest from buyers in 120V lands due to the inherent rarity of 120V models.
On the other hand at 240V, these amplifiers restored still have a strong resale value in the UK and in Europe.
Any advice gratefully received!
Seeing as I have a spare transformer from my 240V donor unit, I was wondering if anyone her could give me some advice on whether, in terms of resale value, it would be worth converting the amplifier to 240V or restoring and selling on the amplifier at its original 120V specification?
I would probably be putting the unit up for sale on eBay once it is ready so I'm hoping that, if it remains at 120V, it would pick up some interest from buyers in 120V lands due to the inherent rarity of 120V models.
On the other hand at 240V, these amplifiers restored still have a strong resale value in the UK and in Europe.
Any advice gratefully received!
If you did convert it to suit the local 230V supply, surely the home market would be the more enthusiastic for a recognized brand amp. that had otherwise not been fiddled with. That's pretty rare for old models in the UK because for some reason, these sardine-packed boxes of parts with radical power supply option, remain popular with newbies and enthusiasts as a parts farm and tinkering experience. Getting the right price for an original, fully working example is going to be another matter.
I suspect that the cost of packing and airfreight to the US would dampen buyer enthusiasm there and you'd have to be desperate or loaded to buy "as is". To be serious though, only a US buyer would be able to share their likely interest in used, small plastic case, low power imported models.
I suspect that the cost of packing and airfreight to the US would dampen buyer enthusiasm there and you'd have to be desperate or loaded to buy "as is". To be serious though, only a US buyer would be able to share their likely interest in used, small plastic case, low power imported models.
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I think it's a fair point in regards to the difficulties and costs of shipping being prohibitive and limiting interest from that side of the market, as opposed to converting the unit to 240V and selling within the UK and Europe (although I'm not sure on the import tax rules these days since the UK left the EU).
The 120V transformer itself would probably command a reasonable amount on eBay, and if it were to be sent abroad it would be a lot easier to ship in one piece than the whole amplifier.
I have four Cyrus One or Two amplifiers to refurbish and sell on, they've been on the 'to be done' pile for a few years so finally getting onto this stuff. Great amplifiers for refurbishing and they really sing when done.
I have a Cyrus One, I completely recapped it (refreshed for another 30 years)
a few years ago. I am glad I did.
My Mission Cyrus One is among my most favorite pieces of gear that I own.
Even when compared to ~insanely~ expensive separates, integrateds...
it holds it own, especially now.
What to do ? a hard call.
a few years ago. I am glad I did.
My Mission Cyrus One is among my most favorite pieces of gear that I own.
Even when compared to ~insanely~ expensive separates, integrateds...
it holds it own, especially now.
What to do ? a hard call.
I've said the same thing, I'm yet to find an amplifier within my budget that can outperform my fully refurbished Cyrus One. I can't imagine how many of these might have been junked by owners thinking they are past their best when all they need is some TLC.
I personally think the market for these amplifiers is bigger on this side of the pond rather than in the US (just by looking into recent eBay sales on the UK and the US sites).
I'm probably going to go with the 240V conversion and sell the 120V high quality Holden and Fisher transformer separately. I'd have to convert to 240V at some point in the restoration process to fully test it anyhow.
I have been on the look out for 120v Cyrus amps,
that are in good shape (not abused) not looking
like a dirty old boot. *very hard to find.
The Nextel paint on mine is showing its age,
struggle stripping, and repainting it.
(oddly) these Cyrus amps sounded AWESOME
driving my Quad ESL57 and ESL63 (in the 90s)
(again oddly) the 57s sounded best with OTL
vacuum tube amps and the 63s with the big
beefy solid state or OTL (not as powerful)
The Cyrus amps .always. sounded fabulous
on either speakers [see if I can accurately say it]
remarkably neutral voicing with qualities of
tube gear, with the authority and slam of
the big boy SS amps.
That was nearly 40 years ago - even today...
..that.. is exemplary engineering.
If you decide to sell the tranny, PM me please.
that are in good shape (not abused) not looking
like a dirty old boot. *very hard to find.
The Nextel paint on mine is showing its age,
struggle stripping, and repainting it.
(oddly) these Cyrus amps sounded AWESOME
driving my Quad ESL57 and ESL63 (in the 90s)
(again oddly) the 57s sounded best with OTL
vacuum tube amps and the 63s with the big
beefy solid state or OTL (not as powerful)
The Cyrus amps .always. sounded fabulous
on either speakers [see if I can accurately say it]
remarkably neutral voicing with qualities of
tube gear, with the authority and slam of
the big boy SS amps.
That was nearly 40 years ago - even today...
..that.. is exemplary engineering.
If you decide to sell the tranny, PM me please.
I have been ridiculed (at AA) for praising this modest audiophile gear...
People do not get it. The straight wire with gain, sheer simplicity
highest grade parts, are considerable facets of the magic.
bumping this thread - I have a cyrus 2 that I leant to a friend and it came back with a load buzz in one channel. I suspect it is a simple grounding issue but have been planning to do a full recap and clean up for a while. Any specific things I need to watch out for or just follow the schematic and try not to destroy it ..dB
Try removing the power supply regulators for the phono stage and see if the buzz goes away, my first ever Cyrus Two had a loud buzz only on one channel but when the power to the phono stage was removed the buzz went away. If I remember correctly a capacitor in the phono stage had gone dry.
This could also be an issue with one of the main power stage transistors. If you have a transistor tester it is worth checking all of these.
As well as a full recap, it is often worth renewing the driver transistors (MJE 243/MJE 253 if I remember correctly), the power regulators for the phono stage (these run extremely hot over the years so as a matter of course I always replace these, if you are not planning on using the phono stage at all you are better off removing the power supply regulators altogether). I now also replace the main power transistors for new parts.
Thanks, don't need the phono so that is a simple first stab. I know people like the Cyrus phono, so if I ever passed it along it would be good to make sure it works
The phono stages in these amplifiers quite simple circuits, I've only ever replaced the power supply regulators, all electrolytic capacitors and the four diodes that make up the bridge rectifier on the phono stage power supply, although that last change isn't entirely necessary if everything is working as it should.
If you are still getting loud buzzing on one channel after removing the power to the phono stage you simply have to start working backwards through the circuit from the main power transistors. One of the worst components for ageing is the bipolar brown ROE capacitors under the input switch ribbon cables. These usually dry up, leak and crack and these are also known to cause loud buzzing. Get rid of these ASAP and replace.