Cyrus soundKey (Gaming) (Black) is rated
out of
5 by
52.
Cyrus soundKey (Gaming) (Black)
USB DAC/Headphone Amp
£49
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Improved sound, improved gaming
You’ve got a top processor, powerful GPU and massive RAM, but to be a top gamer you need to hear every detail. This is where the Cyrus Gaming soundKey comes in. When paired with 3D audio software and high quality, wired headphones, it unlocks a whole new level of sonic detail. Subtle sounds, such as footsteps, reloads and other details are clearly heard – keeping you one-step ahead of your competition.
Plug-and-play performance
Connecting the Gaming soundKey is easy. Essentially a USB-A connected external soundcard, the soundKey delivers plug-and-play performance with your PC. Also compatible with Mac or mobile device*, the soundKey is a flexible upgrade. *Please note that mobile connected devices will require an additional cable - USB-A (large type) cable supplied.
Award-winning sound quality
Winner of What Hi-Fi’s prestigious ‘Best DAC under £150 2018’ award, plus many others, the soundKey is widely regarded as one of the best you can get at its price. Using a high quality DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) and Cyrus’s renowned digital audio expertise, the soundKey delivers stunning results with music, too.
Compatible with Hi-Res music files
A further bonus with the soundKey is that it’s compatible with Hi-Res music files up to 24 bit/96kHz. This means that, as well as MP3 and AAC files, it will also replay your Hi-Res FLAC files. Hi-Res makes the music sound more natural, with subtle detail easier to detect and more life-like sounding.
Ultra-low power consumption
A key advantage with this portable DAC over others is the extremely low power consumption. With a battery drain of less than 50 milliamps – under half the maximum recommended by Apple for use with their iOS devices – the soundKey is kind to your device’s battery. What this means is a much longer device battery life than when using other mini-DACs. The device itself is also battery-free, so no charging required.
Strong, compact and light
Crafted using high quality brushed aluminium, the soundKey is both lightweight and strong. Its sleek design combined with its compact dimensions and mere 18g weight make it perfect for gaming and music on the move.
Take your gaming ability to the next level, with the Cyrus Gaming soundKey.
Connectivity
Headphone Output
Yes
USB Input
Yes
Audio
High Resolution Audio
Yes
Features
DAC
Texas Instruments PCM5102
Energy Consumption
Power Consumption - Normal Use (W)
Under 50mA
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
23 x 54 x 8
Weight
Weight (KG)
18g
Accessories
Included Cables
USB-A Cable Connection
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Steve 332 from
You Can’t Beat It For The Price
I bought my Soundkey 11 months ago but it developed a fault. As usual, Richer Sounds were superb in dealing with my issue and I had a replacement within days. Compared to the Dragonfly DAC I find the sound to be not quite as crisp but the bass is superb and the overall quality is excellent and enhanced play via my laptop. My only issue really is reliability; however I don’t think that is a Cyrus issue as I had a similar problem with both Dragonfly’s. I’m not rough on the items as I don’t use them anywhere other than home, so this may just be a feature of packing so much wallop into a small package. I’d recommend the Cyrus, particularly for the price point.
Date published: 2020-06-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
dharmOS from
Love the sound
I considered this vs Dragonfly, Black and Cobalt (only joking about Cobalt - not in the same price class!). Listening via B&W P5 wired headphones. I love the sound, so clear and crystal. Mainly using Spotify Premium at top bitrate. Have not bothered listening to my old CD rips in FLAC as this sounds so good. Bargain at ~£60.
Date published: 2020-06-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Chris1851 from
Real sound improvement!
Really happy with this. Small, well made and has made a real difference to the quality of the sound through all of my headphones from both phone and pc. Simply does what it claims to and at a very good price. Highly recommend.
Date published: 2020-06-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
ChrisSpeaker from
Good thing in a small package
The increased depth of the sound stage is very noticable. If your speakers aren't that expensive, this would be a good investment over some of the pricer DACs on the market
Date published: 2020-06-12
Rated 5 out of
5
by
EinvalSledge1 from
Good product, great buying experience
Nice little box that just makes my office PC sound a lot better. Easy!
I can also just plug my headphones into a dongle hanging off my monitor instead of having to grope around the back of the PC!
Date published: 2020-05-31
Rated 5 out of
5
by
StoreyWalker from
Soundkey
Exactly what I needed to connect my Mac mini to Arcam system. Thank you!
Date published: 2020-05-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MrMad1973 from
Certainly made a difference. A great buy !!
Bought this after much deliberation between the Audioquest Dragonfly Black and this one just won, due to a great deal.
Certainly does give a very noticeable boost to the sound quality on both my Samsung phone and also on laptop. Handy that comes with all cables to join to anything (other than Apple but I don't have any of those). Well worth the £££ - go and get one, you won't be disappointed.
Date published: 2020-05-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Olchers from
What a surprise
To be honest I was worried that I would buy this and find little or no difference, a sort of acoustic audiophile emperors new clothes! Was I wrong! I use it with my active PC speakers and the improvement is genuinely impressive. A well worthwhile upgrade, possibly the most cost effective sound improvement investment you could make!
Date published: 2020-05-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Billbill2nd from
better than my laptop
I bought this to go between my laptop (used for spotify, films etc) and hifi. There is a noticeable (therfore significant) improvement in the sound quality. Cymbols sound more like cymbols drum kick pedal likewise etc etc. Worth a pop for the price in my view.
Date published: 2020-05-14
Rated 4 out of
5
by
MattCx from
Neat box of tricks
I use this with an Honor 9 mobile and also an HP laptop and I'm really pleased with the improvements in sound quality. Also gives a major boost to the sound levels too, which I don't necessarily need but I guess with some mobiles/headphones etc that is worth considering. Excellent price from Richer Sounds. This version (Black) is marketed as a Gaming Version; not quite sure why, but is essentially the same as other "colours". My only gripe (and hence 4 stars not 5) is that whilst it came with two types of cable to attach to the SoundKey, it didn't include a micro USB to USB-C cable, which would have been the most useful. However, you can get a decent one fairly cheaply, so no big deal. The SoundKey was delivered in good time too considering the (COVID-19) restrictions on deliveries at present. Very happy.
Date published: 2020-05-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tony Wilts from
Great service
Excellent experience. Would recommend Richer Sounds. Delivered on time, and someone in the callcentre to handle a query
Date published: 2020-05-10
Rated 4 out of
5
by
sylvain jacques T from
convenient with significant sound upgrade
Immediately after inserting the stick to the USB port and connect to headphone a very different sonic experience is evident. The sound is louder and more substantial,more body more dynamic. It is the diuffrence of a full bodied wine compared to one dilluted . The Cyrus soundkey amazing to video clip or Youtube presentation, whether music or video. The sound is more impactful and real. After listening with the soundkey, I could not envisage listening without it plugged as a a neccessity to enhance teh sound from the laptop
Date published: 2020-05-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
John Chilli from
Quality build and sounds great.
Bought this to provide a but more oomph to my Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm. They're not the easiest to drive and the phones headphone jack sounded nice, but clearly limited. Had to get a separate USB C to micro cable which was a little annoying but not all that surprising. An OTG cable would be a great thing to include but for the price I'm not complaining!
Date published: 2020-05-03
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Chrisxxxxx from
Clear improvement in sound quality.
This modest device has regenerated my interest in good sound quality to the extent that I’m now investigating sources of hi-resolution streaming/downloads to further exploit the improvement in sound quality available.
Date published: 2020-05-02


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