What it is
NEW ENTRY (2026-05-12) per Tier 1 currency audit gap-fill. Cyrus 80 PRE — streaming preamplifier in Cyrus 80 Series. Full-width chassis (2× 40-Series width). BluOS streaming platform built-in with same streaming functionality as 80 AMP — designed to match the 80 PWR power amplifier for a separates upgrade above the 80 AMP.
LAUNCH HISTORY: Unveiled at High End Munich 2025 (May 2025); market launch November 2025. First Cyrus full-width preamp in 40+ years. Designed by Cyrus Audio Ltd. under new MD Nick Clarke. Positions Cyrus to compete with Naim NSC 222 / Linn Selekt DSM / Hegel P30A. Per StereoNET: "Cyrus is throwing its hat into the premium hi-fi market" putting this range "in direct competition with the likes of Naim, Linn and Hegel."
STREAMING PLATFORM (per What Hi-Fi May 2025 launch): "the 80 PRE preamplifier... has the same BluOS networking streaming features as the AMP, and is designed to match the 80 PWR power amplifier." Implies: BluOS streaming (Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, MQA); ESS ES9039Q2M HyperStream IV Dual DAC (same as 80 AMP); USB-B, optical, coaxial, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth digital I/O; MM/MC phono onboard.
SPEC CAVEAT (lesson #14c verification gate): Cyrus has not separately published a full 80 PRE spec sheet as of verification date. Most spec fields are INFERRED from 80 AMP parity (shared platform per official statement). When the official Cyrus 80 PRE product page posts full specifications, verify and update: (1) exact I/O count; (2) phono MC loading options; (3) physical dimensions and weight; (4) gain and output impedance; (5) headphone amp presence.
EVIDENCE STATUS: catalogue entry has launch-announcement-level spec data; per-component evidence audit (full reviews + comparisons + pairings) has not reached this entry. Reviews to source when audit resumes (post-launch listings expected 2026): What Hi-Fi Bristol Show 2026 + post-show review when posted; StereoNET; AVForums Ed Selley; HiFi News; Hi-Fi Choice; TrustedReviews.
Who it comes up against
10 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Whest Audio 60Se Pro, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Audiolab 9000Q keeps the slot decisively.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
S/N exceeding 112dB A-weighted, THD <0.002%Audiolab 9000P/Q HomeTheaterReview specs + Audio Tailor review
S/N exceeding 112dB A-weighted, THD <0.002%Audiolab 9000P/Q HomeTheaterReview specs + Audio Tailor review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50 MKII keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
clear, articulatePROXY: Cyrus 40 AMP
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50SA MKII keeps the slot decisively.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Neutron keeps the slot decisively.
With the Leema Hydra II, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
clear, articulatePROXY: Cyrus 40 AMP
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line) keeps the slot decisively.
With the EAR Yoshino 890, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
868L line preamp, Tim de Paravicini valve designEAR Yoshino 868L + multi-decade Stereophile heritage
2 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier keeps the slot decisively.
With the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Audio Note M2 Phono keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Cyrus 80 PRE is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
Audio Note pre with onboard phono, classic SET-friendly voicingAudio Note M2 Phono + Stereophile heritage