Cyrus Audio 40 ST
The Cyrus 40 ST combines crisp resolution, explosive dynamics and class-leading rhythmic grip in a compact, beautifully finished network player. What Hi-Fi? highlights its natural, controlled presentation and pinpoint imaging, while Pursuit of The Perfect System praises the expansive, deep soundstage, bass authority and drive. With BluOS streaming and upgrade potential, it is built for involving, big-scale listening.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
91/100
Pros
Exceptionally clear, detailed and dynamically expressive sound, with convincing scale on both subtle and large orchestral passages.
Outstanding rhythmic drive and punch, paired with strong bass authority and an energetic, engaging presentation.
Focused, crisp imaging and an expansive soundstage with impressive depth, space and control under demanding music.
Modern, solid aluminium casework, clear display and broad BluOS streaming support add welcome system appeal.
Cons
Streaming is currently limited to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, with no DSD playback available at review time.
No Chromecast, Bluetooth or USB Type-B computer input, limiting convenience and source flexibility versus some rivals.
One reviewer heard a slight digital edge or tension, making it less relaxed than the companion 40 CD in extended listening.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The 40 ST is widely praised for its unusually clear, energetic and rhythmically assured presentation. It combines strong organisation and insight with a generally neutral, convincing balance, though one reviewer heard a slight digital edge compared with the companion 40 CD player.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
What Hi-Fi? found the Cyrus essentially neutral, natural and convincing despite a mildly forward presentation, praising its infectious energy and rhythmic engagement. Pursuit of The Perfect System similarly liked its scale, bass authority and drive, but heard some digital tension or edge that made the 40 CD feel more relaxed over longer listening.
Resolution Detail
94/100
What Hi-Fi? reports exceptional clarity and precision for the price, along with an extra layer of texture in instruments and voices compared with a rival Audiolab streamer. Imaging is described as crisp, while the focused stage clearly conveys orchestral placement and recording-space cues; the second review also calls the sound very detailed.
Digital Performance
89/100
The player is consistently described as clean, crisp, composed and controlled when music becomes demanding, with convincing large-scale dynamics and strong low-frequency grip. However, one reviewer specifically noted a degree of digital tension or edge through its analogue output, preventing an entirely unqualified verdict on refinement.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
BluOS gives the 40 ST a broad streaming ecosystem and useful multi-platform support, while its physical connections cover both network playback and external digital sources. There is no native Apple Music integration, although AirPlay 2 provides an alternative route.
Streaming Software
88/100
The 40 ST uses the BluOS platform, with support cited for Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer and internet radio, alongside Roon readiness and AirPlay 2. Native Apple Music support is absent, and the reviews provide little direct comment on app responsiveness, setup or long-term stability.
Features Connectivity
90/100
Network connectivity includes Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi, with USB-A playback plus coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs. The player also supports MQA playback, offers two line-level analogue outputs, and provides useful flexibility for integrating external digital sources.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
The available commentary notes fully redesigned aluminium casework with a distinctive industrial appearance that grew on the reviewer. Reviewers say little about internal construction, long-term durability, controls or day-to-day physical operation.
Value for Money
91/100
At £2,995, the 40 ST faces high expectations, as one reviewer explicitly notes. What Hi-Fi? nevertheless calls its blend of detail, dynamics and rhythmic security hard to better for the money, and says its clarity and precision have not been surpassed anywhere near the asking price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- DAC
- ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M 32 bit
- Analogue Outputs
- 2 x Line Level
- Digital Outputs
- 1 x Digital Coax 1 x Digital Optical
- Digital Inputs
- 1 x Digital Coax 1 x Digital Optical
- Connectivity
- USB-A Socket For Music Playback RJ45 Ethernet Socket For Wired Network Built-in WiFi antenna
- Network
- Ethernet (GigE 1Gbps), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, 2.4/5Ghz)
- Size
- 88 x 220 x 385 mm (3.46” x 8.66” x 15.16”)
- Weight
- 4.8kg (10.6lbs)
Manufacturer's Description — Cyrus Audio
If your music is digital, then the 40 ST, our highest performing network streamer is the product for you. Powered by the user-friendly and popular BluOS hi-res streaming platform and presented in the sleek design of the 40 series aluminium chassis, you will experience your favourite music at up to 24-bit/192kHz at lightning-fast speeds across your home network with no lag and zero loss in sound quality.
The 40 ST is packaged with the new Cyrus remote but is ultimately controlled with the intuitive BluOS app, available for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac or PC computers. Providing direct access to over 20 natively integrated streaming services, thousands of radio stations from around the world, and even your own music library on a network drive. The 40 ST also supports Roon, Airplay 2 and allows for MQA decoding.
Customised DAC design is at the forefront of all digital products from Cyrus, and the 40 ST embodies this approach like never before.
Based upon the ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M chipset and HyperStream IV Dual DAC technology, the 40 ST supports up to 192k/24-bit PCM and DSD256. Every component has been analysed by our engineering team and the board layout fully optimised to tune the DAC so that we can achieve the highest possible performance.
With BluOS you can instantly discover and enjoy millions of songs from your existing music services, tune in to your favourite internet radio stations and podcasts from around the world, or access and listen to the music collections stored on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop on any and every Player in your home.
Simply tap/click the music you want to hear in the BluOS Controller app anywhere in the home and let any BluOS Enabled Player be the heart of your listening experience.
The 40 ST is Roon Ready out of the box with Roon’s own streaming technology built right in, connected over your ethernet or WiFi network. The 40 ST makes bit-perfect high-resolution audio simple because it requires no configuration, giving you access to the best audio quality stable, reliable playback.
Listen in one room or group multiple Roon Ready devices for synchronized playback around your home. The 40 ST has been certified by the Roon test team, which means you can trust that you’ll get the best experience and support from your 40 ST.
With Airplay2 on the 40 ST, you can connect multiple players around the house and have them communicate with each other through AirPlay. Listen to your music in perfect sync as you walk room-to-room, or play different songs in different rooms, and control everything on your iOS device. You can even say the song you want to list to and where and let Siri take control of your music experience.
All products in the 40 series provide the option to connect the 40 PSU external power supply via a simple 15-pin connector cable on the rear panel of both products.
Incorporating its own on-board micro-processor, the 40 PSU communicates directly with the host product to consistently provide the best configuration of power from a full range of voltage output levels. Providing multiple supplies, all of the output voltages from the 40 PSU are digitally controlled internally, so are extremely stable and virtually noise free.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Cyrus Audio 40 ST
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- AMPL’HIFI — online and in-store — Nîmes, Occitanie, France (website)
- Anagram Audio — online and in-store — Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Factory — online — Spain (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
and 80 more verified dealers