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Best overall low-cost alternative: WiiM Pro Plus. Best traditional hi-fi component: Cambridge Audio CXN (V2). Best for TV and multi-room: Bluesound NODE. Best premium alternative: Naim ND5 XS 2.
The Cyrus 40 ST remains a high-end reference, with a What Hi-Fi? recommendation price of £2,649 in 2026. The alternatives below cover the same basic network-audio job at lower prices, while also offering different strengths: app-led value, a conventional full-width component, HDMI television integration, or premium system integration. Prices, stock, firmware and streaming-service support vary by country and can change, so treat the Cyrus figure as a dated UK reference rather than a universal street price.
The short list by budget and system type
- Spend as little as practical: Choose the WiiM Pro Plus if you want a compact network streamer with broad wireless-service support and intend to feed an existing amplifier or DAC.
- Want a conventional hi-fi component: Choose the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) for its full-width component format, display-oriented operation, extensive digital connections and 24-bit/384 kHz ATF2 up-sampling.
- Need a television or whole-home hub: Choose the Bluesound NODE when HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding, BluOS multi-room playback, headphone use or a powered-speaker/TV role matters more than a traditional front-panel hi-fi presentation.
- Have a premium or Naim-based system: Choose the Naim ND5 XS 2 for network decoding up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi and integration with a Naim-oriented setup.
None of these products is automatically “better sounding” for every listener. The audible result depends on the connected amplifier, DAC, speakers or headphones, room and source material. The practical differences that can be established are their connections, supported services, library access, processing and ecosystem.
What you are replacing: the Cyrus 40 ST reference point
The current high-end reference in this comparison is the Cyrus 40 ST. What Hi-Fi? lists support for NAS playback, internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music and Qobuz Connect, and compares it with Audiolab and Naim references. What Hi-Fi? gives the 40 ST a recommendation price of £2,649 in 2026. That amount is useful for positioning, but it is specifically a dated recommendation figure; regional pricing, taxes, dealer discounts and availability may differ.
#1 Best Overall
A Cyrus-like network-audio experience generally means selecting music from a phone, tablet or computer while the streamer receives it over the network and sends digital or analogue audio to the rest of the system. Before choosing an alternative, decide whether you need only that transport function or also want the box to provide conversion, television switching, headphone output, multi-room control or a preamp-like role. Paying for features you cannot connect is poor value, while omitting a needed input can force another upgrade later.
Side-by-side comparison
| Model | Position | Documented connections and functions | Services and library access | Resolution or format information | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WiiM Pro Plus | Budget, compact streamer | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, Chromecast built in and AirPlay 2 | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn | Not stated in the supplied product description | Low-cost wireless streaming into an existing system |
| Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) | Mid-range traditional hi-fi component | UPnP, local USB, USB audio, optical S/PDIF, coaxial S/PDIF, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built in | Internet radio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Qobuz | Second-generation ATF2 up-sampling to 24-bit/384 kHz | A full-width component with many digital sources and a display-led interface |
| Bluesound NODE | Mid-range ecosystem and TV hub | HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, AirPlay 2 and multi-room playback | Bluesound ecosystem; local and network playback supported | High-resolution FLAC, WAV, AIFF and DSD are documented | Television, powered speakers, headphones and whole-home playback |
| Naim ND5 XS 2 | Premium network player | Ethernet and Wi-Fi network playback | Network-service support depends on the Naim platform and current firmware | Up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi | A premium or Naim-oriented system where high-resolution decoding and integration are priorities |
| Cyrus 40 ST | High-end reference | Network streamer with NAS and internet-radio playback | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music and Qobuz Connect | Not stated in the supplied reference material | Benchmark for the higher-priced Cyrus-like experience |
The table deliberately separates documented capabilities from assumptions. For example, the WiiM description establishes wireless protocols and services but does not establish a particular maximum sample rate. Likewise, the Naim figure describes network decoding, not the performance of every output or connected DAC.
How to choose the right alternative
1. Identify the job the streamer must do
If your amplifier already has a capable analogue input and you mainly need network access, a compact streamer is enough. That is the WiiM Pro Plus use case. If you want a component that visually and physically matches separate hi-fi equipment, the CXN (V2) is the more natural fit. If a television, powered speakers, headphones or several rooms are involved, the NODE’s broader system role is more relevant. A premium Naim system may justify the ND5 XS 2 even when a cheaper unit could technically play the same files.
2. Check every physical connection before comparing sound
- Network: Ethernet is documented for the Bluesound NODE and Naim ND5 XS 2. The WiiM Pro Plus description specifically confirms dual-band Wi-Fi. Choose a wired connection where the rack is near your router and wireless reliability is uncertain.
- Digital outputs or inputs: The Cambridge unit documents optical and coaxial S/PDIF, USB audio and local USB. These are useful when you already own a separate DAC, CD transport or computer source.
- Television: HDMI eARC and Dolby Digital decoding make the NODE the clear choice among the listed alternatives when the streamer must sit at the centre of a TV system.
- Wireless casting: WiiM Pro Plus, CXN (V2), NODE and the reference Cyrus service list include combinations of AirPlay 2, Chromecast built in or Connect services. Confirm the exact service you use rather than assuming that every platform supports every protocol.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 is documented for WiiM Pro Plus; Bluetooth is also documented for the NODE. Bluetooth is convenient for guests, but a network service or local library may be preferable for permanent listening.
3. Match the service and library you actually use
Spotify users should look for Spotify Connect, while Tidal users should distinguish Tidal Connect from merely having a Tidal catalogue inside an app. The WiiM Pro Plus explicitly lists Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, as well as Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn. The CXN (V2) lists Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz and internet radio. The Cyrus 40 ST reference lists Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music and Qobuz Connect.
For a personal collection, the distinction is between a network-attached-storage library, UPnP, local USB and generic network playback. Cyrus documents NAS playback; Cambridge documents UPnP and local USB; the NODE documents USB and high-resolution local/network formats. These are not interchangeable labels: a NAS library requires a reachable server, whereas local USB means the storage is attached directly to the player.
4. Treat resolution numbers as capability, not a promise of audible superiority
Cambridge specifies “2nd Generation ATF2 up-sampling to 24-bit/384khz.” That is a processing capability, not evidence that every source will sound better at that rate. Naim specifies decoding up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Bluesound documents high-resolution FLAC, WAV, AIFF and DSD support. The supplied information does not establish a maximum resolution for WiiM Pro Plus or Cyrus 40 ST, so do not infer one from their prices or branding.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
5. Decide whether ecosystem features matter
The NODE is built around BluOS multi-room playback. Bluesound describes it as being “at the core of your home audio experience,” with wireless connections to Bluesound Players for multi-room music throughout the home. That makes it attractive when several rooms need coordinated control.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCambridge takes a more traditional component approach, with a display-oriented unit and a broad collection of digital inputs. WiiM’s value proposition is app-led and compact. Naim is most compelling when the rest of the system already follows Naim’s control and integration approach. These are different ownership experiences even when all four can play network music.
WiiM Pro Plus: the lowest-cost sensible entry
What it does well
The WiiM Pro Plus is the practical budget answer when the main goal is broad service access without buying a large hi-fi component. What Hi-Fi? describes it as compact and affordable, with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, Chromecast built in and AirPlay 2. Its listed services include Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn.
That combination covers common subscription services, radio and several casting methods. It is particularly useful for an older amplifier that already sounds the way you want but lacks network control. The small enclosure also suits a desktop, secondary room or crowded rack where a full-width component would be excessive.
Who should buy it
- Someone adding streaming to an existing amplifier or DAC.
- A household using several services rather than one single platform.
- A listener who values wireless setup and phone-based control over a large front-panel display.
- A second-room owner who wants Connect, AirPlay 2 or Chromecast options without replicating a premium component.
What to verify first
The supplied description does not state a maximum sample rate, analogue-output design, preamp functions or a specific wired-network connection. Verify those details against the current regional specification if your system depends on them. Also check whether your preferred service is supported in your country and whether you plan to use the streamer’s own conversion or an external DAC. The Pro Plus is the value pick because of its feature coverage and price positioning, not because a universal sonic ranking has been established.
Cambridge Audio CXN (V2): the traditional hi-fi alternative
Why it stands out
The CXN (V2) is the best match for a reader who wants a conventional, full-width network component rather than a small wireless accessory. Cambridge lists UPnP, local USB playback, USB audio, optical and coaxial S/PDIF, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built in, internet radio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Qobuz.
Those inputs let it serve several roles: a network player for a NAS or home server, a USB source for a computer or drive, and a digital hub for equipment connected through optical or coaxial S/PDIF. Its display-oriented operation is useful when you prefer seeing album and source information on the component instead of relying entirely on a phone.
What the ATF2 specification means
Cambridge lists second-generation ATF2 up-sampling to 24-bit/384 kHz. Up-sampling changes the digital processing rate; it does not turn a low-quality recording into a high-quality master. The useful question is whether the CXN’s inputs, interface and integration suit your system, not whether the number alone exceeds your music library’s native rate.
Who should choose it
- Owners of separates who want a visually compatible component.
- Listeners with USB, optical or coaxial sources in addition to streaming.
- Households using UPnP or local USB libraries.
- Anyone who wants AirPlay 2, Chromecast built in and mainstream subscription services in a single traditional unit.
Choose another model if HDMI television audio, BluOS whole-home control or a compact hidden-box installation is the central requirement. The Cambridge’s strength is breadth of digital inputs and a conventional hi-fi role, not TV switching.
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Why it is different
The Bluesound NODE is the mid-range choice when a streamer must connect more than a two-channel amplifier. Bluesound documents HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, AirPlay 2 and multi-room playback. It also supports high-resolution FLAC, WAV, AIFF and DSD files.
HDMI eARC lets the NODE receive compatible television audio over one cable, while Dolby Digital decoding addresses a common home-theater source format. That makes it more suitable than a conventional stereo network component for a TV-centered room. Its documented Bluetooth and USB connections add convenient routes for guests and local storage.
Best use cases
- TV hub: Connect a compatible television through HDMI eARC when television audio should run through the same system as music.
- Powered-speaker system: Use the NODE as the network and source hub when the speakers do not need a separate traditional streamer component.
- Headphone listening: Choose it when headphone playback is part of the intended setup; confirm the current regional output specification before purchase.
- Multi-room: Add compatible Bluesound Players and use BluOS to coordinate rooms. The product description specifically highlights wireless connections between Players for seamless whole-home playback.
Trade-offs
The NODE is less compelling if you only want a display-led, full-width component with multiple S/PDIF source inputs. Its advantage is flexibility around TV, rooms and output types. As with every streamer here, high-resolution file support establishes compatibility, not a guarantee that every recording or connected amplifier will reveal a difference.
Rank #4
Naim ND5 XS 2: the premium alternative
Why consider it below the Cyrus reference
The Naim ND5 XS 2 is the premium alternative for buyers who are not trying to minimize cost but want a credible competitor to a high-end Cyrus network player. Naim specifies network decoding up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. That places its documented network capability firmly in the premium class.
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Its strongest case is system integration. If the rest of your equipment, control habits and dealer support are already Naim-oriented, using a player from the same ecosystem can be more coherent than mixing a budget streamer into a high-value system. Conversely, if you simply need Spotify or internet radio in an entry-level amplifier, the premium decoding ceiling may not justify the expenditure.
Questions to answer before buying
- Will you connect through Ethernet, Wi-Fi or both depending on room layout?
- Does your library contain material that benefits from the documented DSD128 or 32-bit/384 kHz support?
- Do you value Naim system integration enough to pay for a premium component rather than a mid-range transport?
- Which services are available on the current firmware in your country? Service support can change, so check the live specification before ordering.
The ND5 XS 2 is a premium alternative, not a claim that it universally outperforms Cyrus. The appropriate choice depends on the rest of the signal chain and on how much value you place on integration and supported formats.
Planning the connection and first setup
Regardless of model, planning the signal path prevents the most common buying mistake: purchasing a streamer whose output or network connection does not match the rest of the room.
- Inventory the system. Write down the amplifier’s available analogue and digital inputs, whether a separate DAC is present, and whether the room includes a television, headphones or powered speakers.
- Choose the network path. Use Ethernet where a cable is practical and the model supports it. Otherwise confirm that the intended position receives a stable 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal; the WiiM Pro Plus specifically documents dual-band Wi-Fi.
- Select the source method. Use a native Connect service for direct playback when available, AirPlay 2 or Chromecast for compatible devices, UPnP or NAS for a network library, and USB for a directly attached drive where the model supports it.
- Connect the audio output. Feed a digital output to an external DAC when that is your preferred conversion stage, or use the streamer’s analogue output if the model and amplifier support that arrangement. For television, use HDMI eARC only on a model that documents it, such as the NODE.
- Update and test one service. Complete the manufacturer’s firmware process, sign in to one account and play a familiar track. Confirm that volume control, input selection and playback resume behave as expected before adding every service.
- Add the library or multi-room rooms. Configure NAS or UPnP access only after basic streaming works. For BluOS, add additional compatible Players one at a time and test room grouping before attempting a whole-home session.
Common pitfalls and fixes
The streamer appears online but cannot see a music library
Check whether you are using the right library method. A NAS share, UPnP server and local USB drive are different sources. Cyrus documents NAS playback, Cambridge documents UPnP and local USB, and the NODE documents USB and high-resolution file playback. Confirm that the server is running, the files are shared to the same network and the streamer is signed in or permitted to access them.
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A service is listed but missing in the app
Service catalogs and regional availability can change. Update firmware and the control app, verify the account country and distinguish a native service integration from AirPlay, Chromecast or Bluetooth playback. Do not assume that support for Spotify Connect implies support for every other service’s Connect protocol.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Television audio does not play through the system
HDMI eARC is a specific requirement, not a generic feature of network streamers. The NODE documents HDMI eARC and Dolby Digital decoding; the CXN (V2), WiiM Pro Plus and Naim ND5 XS 2 descriptions in this comparison do not establish those TV functions. Enable eARC on the television, select the correct HDMI input and confirm that the television is sending a supported audio format.
Playback drops out over Wi-Fi
Move the streamer away from crowded wireless equipment, improve router placement or use Ethernet where the model supports it. Test a lower-demand service or a locally stored track to separate network instability from an account or service problem. A stable network is more important than choosing a higher advertised sample-rate ceiling.
The system sounds no better after upgrading
That result is possible. Network convenience, input selection and ecosystem features can improve even when the audible change is small. Check level matching, the chosen output path and whether the amplifier or DAC is doing the conversion. Avoid treating up-sampling or a larger resolution number as proof of a universal sonic improvement.
A practical decision framework
| If your priority is… | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest-cost route to broad streaming support | WiiM Pro Plus | Compact design, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built in and a wide service list |
| A full-width component with many digital source options | Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) | UPnP, local USB, USB audio, optical/coaxial S/PDIF, display-oriented operation and ATF2 up-sampling |
| TV audio, headphones, powered speakers and multi-room | Bluesound NODE | HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding, BluOS multi-room, Bluetooth, USB and documented high-resolution formats |
| Premium decoding and a Naim-oriented system | Naim ND5 XS 2 | Up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, with premium ecosystem fit |
| The benchmark to compare against | Cyrus 40 ST | High-end reference with NAS, internet radio and major Connect-service support; What Hi-Fi? recommendation price £2,649 in 2026 |
Final recommendation
Start with the system role, not the brand name. Buy the WiiM Pro Plus when value, wireless setup and service breadth matter most. Step up to the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) for a traditional hi-fi component and extensive digital inputs. Choose the Bluesound NODE when HDMI eARC, BluOS multi-room or a TV-and-headphone hub is central to the room. Select the Naim ND5 XS 2 when you are building around a premium or Naim-oriented system and want its documented high-resolution network decoding.
The Cyrus 40 ST remains the high-end reference at the dated 2026 What Hi-Fi? recommendation of £2,649, but a lower-cost alternative can deliver the network services you actually use without copying every part of its feature set. Verify current regional prices, stock, firmware and service availability before purchase, then choose the model whose connections and ecosystem solve your specific system problem.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
