Cyrus SoundKey portable DAC

[Paul Silvester]

So Cyrus had three options:
1) Make sure it was clear to investors that their purchase was limited in function and would involve an additional cost of 50% to be usable. As it is, their product was misrepresented by omission and does not fulfil the reasonable expectation generated by their funding promotion.  
or
2) Cyrus produced and included an Apple complaint cable. Not exactly hard there are hundreds out there!
or
3) They produced a separate IOS version
 
The idea that nobody can produce a lightning cable product except Apple is just NOT TRUE! I own at least half a dozen! 

 

[Paul Silvester]

where did you get your micro usb to lightning that works with this?? I have tried two and neither work!
Thanks

 

[duracek]

where did you get your micro usb to lightning that works with this?? I have tried two and neither work!
Thanks

It is my understanding that a cable on its own will not work. Apple are vey protective of what can be plugged into an iPhone. One of the few devices that the iPhone will recognise is an Apple manufactured camera connection kit. This provides a USB port that DAC manufacturers can use to trick the iPhone into sending out the digital audio data.

There really is nothing Cyrus can do about this and the fact Apple charged £30 for this is definitely excessive but they know certain people have no other option.

 

[Paul Silvester]

I don't know if you work for Cyrus but there is a little something called disclosure. So there is something Cyrus can do - they can make this clear BEFORE they take our money!  Looking through forums this issue has caused some customer dissatisfaction so probably not that great a way to impress customers!
I will be relying on distance selling regulations to obtain a refund! 

 

[barton_stacey]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyrussoundkey/cyrus-soundkey-dac-bringing-your-music-on-the-move/faqs
 
I'm pretty sure I'd seen all this in the FAQs on the kickstarter when I bought mine!?!

 

[barton_stacey]

Although I see the FAQs were updated on the 5th July and the kickstarter launched on the 1st.

 

[god-bluff]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyrussoundkey/cyrus-soundkey-dac-bringing-your-music-on-the-move/faqs

I'm pretty sure I'd seen all this in the FAQs on the kickstarter when I bought mine!?!

All seems pretty clear to me. It says you need the cck if you use Apple. I don't.

Buy the cable you'll need for just about every other DAC. Enjoy it or or sell the Cyrus for a profit msybe. Common knowledge I thought?!?

 

[Jimster480]

where did you get your micro usb to lightning that works with this?? I have tried two and neither work!
Thanks

I don't have this specific headphone amp but I do have a K1 and I bought a cable on Amazon which works totally fine with my iPod Touch 6 generation

Lightning to MicroUSB Cable, 6'' black,for connecting DAC/Digital Camera to iPhone 7/Plus/6/6s/Plus/SE/5s/5 & iPad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N77VPS3/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apap_nMQiRRLNeSKVp

 

[LucQc]

The answer came pretty fast from Cyrus, I was one of those asking regarding Apple devices. This is a decision Cyrus took and I can hardly disagree with them as the device is working easily with a computer, an Android smartphone without requiring another cable. If someone is to blame it is Apple, they have been known for years to force their customers to buy extra adapters while the stuff they're selling is not what I would affordable.

 

[Jimster480]

  The answer came pretty fast from Cyrus, I was one of those asking regarding Apple devices. This is a decision Cyrus took and I can hardly disagree with them as the device is working easily with a computer, an Android smartphone without requiring another cable. If someone is to blame it is Apple, they have been known for years to force their customers to buy extra adapters while the stuff they're selling is not what I would affordable.

Yep this is because they regulate everything with their own auth chips.

 

[LucQc]

I am currently testing it on my laptop with 2 headphones:
 
- Grado RS2
 
- Focal Listen
 
Though on paper the headphones have quite similar frequency response and impedance, the sound level seems higher with the Listen. On short term basis the Listen are more impressive. Looking forward to see which one will be my favorite one on a longer basis.
 
The only thing I know for sure is that I won't be using the RS2 at work, because they're going kick my ... if I do it. 8

 

[LucQc]

  http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2208/i1KQvU.jpg
 
After a hour with the soundkey, Ive hit a problem, but good to know if anyone else has had this, but build quality is terrible, I pushed the headphones in and the micro usb cover and whole mother board just popped out the bottom....
 
oh dear, been a great Cyrus fan for years, but this is some bad engineering.

Issue here too. Definitely engineering flaw that should not have gone trough beta testing. The cover pooped on the other side where there is the USB cable is going. I am going to write to Cyrus giving them suggestions of improvement. The fix would make the case a bit lager and longer. I will let you know what is the answer from Cyrus...

 

[English Gent]

  Issue here too. Definitely engineering flaw that should not have gone trough beta testing. The cover pooped on the other side where there is the USB cable is going. I am going to write to Cyrus giving them suggestions of improvement. The fix would make the case a bit lager and longer. I will let you know what is the answer from Cyrus...

Hi, Ive emailed Cyrus, but got a away from desk till wed(today) reply, Ive also spoke up about the design flaw on the Kickstarter page, where there are many people with same problems, plus digital ticks when used with iPhones.. looks like a recall to me, at least, product is not fit for purpose (mobile DAC) look at the build of things like Cozoy and Audioquest
 
plus designer should be fired on the spot, no ifs and or buts, Cyrus are and have been one of the best English audiophile companies of last 40 plus years. this is disaster. simple thing like the microUSB shallow socket, makes the whole thing explode into parts, and thats the USB cable THEY supplied... OH DEAR

 

[LucQc]

  Issue here too. Definitely engineering flaw that should not have gone trough beta testing. The cover pooped on the other side where there is the USB cable is going. I am going to write to Cyrus giving them suggestions of improvement. The fix would make the case a bit lager and longer. I will let you know what is the answer from Cyrus...

 
Lol the subconcious was writing. Should have written popped not pooped. 

 

[god-bluff]

I'm afraid I'm having problems

I am getting some interference when listening via my (Android) phones. Popping and crackling sounds. Varies depending on USB/ OTG cable a little but is still there

Whilst this may give an authentic sound to old recordings (MW radio or warn LP!) it's a bit distracting