KEYSION DAC Chips Explained: What CS43198, SGM8262 and CB5100 Actually Do
Buyers often ask: what chips are inside your DACs? This piece answers it in one place. The audio architecture of the KEYSION portable DAC line is built around a single Cirrus Logic flagship DAC, with engine chips and op-amps layered on as the model moves up - every chip has a clearly defined job.
| Model | Chip architecture | Official scheme name | PCM / DSD | Unique hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEYSION 01 (CNY 219, USD 33) | CS43198 + CB5100 engine | CS43198 HiFi DSP Audio | 384kHz / DSD256 | 10-band hardware EQ |
| KEYSION 02 (CNY 349, USD 53) | Dual CS43198 + CB5100 PRO | Dual CS43198 HiFi DSP Audio | 768kHz / DSD256 | Dual outputs, display |
| KEYSION 02 Pro (CNY 499, USD 76) | Dual CS43198 + Dual SGM8262 + CB5100 PRO | Dual CS43198 + Dual SGM8262 | 768kHz / DSD256 | Independent op-amps, 551mW of drive |
The USB device names these three models show when connected to a computer are exactly the official scheme names in the middle column of the table - you can verify them directly in Device Manager.
The CS43198 is Cirrus Logic's flagship stereo DAC. Per the official datasheet: 32bit decoding, sampling up to 384kHz, 130dB dynamic range and THD+N as low as -115dB. The official measurements published for the KEYSION 02 line up with it - SNR of 130dB@4Vrms, 130dB dynamic range, crosstalk of -125dB@4Vrms.
One point deserves a call-out of its own: the CS43198 is a pure DAC with no headphone amplification circuitry. What it outputs is a high-quality voltage signal; the current needed to actually drive headphones has to come from the amplification stage behind it. That's exactly why the 02 Pro carries two more SGM8262 chips than the 02.
The SGM8262 is a dual-channel operational amplifier from SGMicro: ultra-low noise of 3.5nV/√Hz, 22MHz bandwidth and roughly 310mA of output current capability. The 02 Pro uses two of them, one per channel, for power amplification - decoding (CS43198) and amplification (SGM8262) each stick to their own job, and that's where the 551mW of drive comes from. Worth noting: on the 02 Pro the left and right channels are fully separate from the amplification stage onward - the circuit basis for its good channel separation over the 4.4mm balanced output.
The CB5100 / CB5100 PRO is the audio bridge chip named in the official architecture diagram, handling USB input, scheme management and the EQ tuning engine. The 10-band EQ and 5 filter types you adjust from the web console or the App are ultimately written into this chip system - they survive power loss and stay put when you connect from another device.
The H-Turbo S1 (CNY 59, USD 9), H-Turbo S2 (CNY 59, USD 9) and G-Turbo X1 (CNY 99, USD 15) take a different route: standalone custom chips (a tuning/DAC chip for the H-Turbo S1/S2, an esports chip for the G-Turbo) pack decoding, EQ tuning and amplification into one small package, making a DAC-amp in "cable form". The S2 holds a steady 17.6mW output - a good match for 16-32Ω in-ear monitors; the X1 ships with tuning presets for mainstream FPS games.
The usual disclaimer: the official product pages note that chip-related figures are lab-typical values for the Cirrus Logic CS43198 chip scheme, and the physical unit is the final word. For more spec context, see our full dongle spec explainer and the three-generation comparison.
FAQ
What class of chip is the CS43198?
Cirrus Logic's flagship stereo DAC - the official datasheet lists 32bit/384kHz, 130dB dynamic range and -115dB THD+N. It's common in mid-to-high-end portable DACs. All of KEYSION 01/02/02 Pro use it as the decoding core; the 02 and 02 Pro carry two each.
Why does the 02 Pro carry two extra SGM8262?
The CS43198 is a pure DAC with no headphone amp circuitry. The SGM8262 is a dual op-amp (3.5nV/√Hz noise, about 310mA output current); the 02 Pro uses two of them, one per channel, which is what delivers the 551mW of drive and the independent balanced output.
What is the CB5100 chip?
The audio bridge chip in the official architecture diagram: it handles USB input, scheme management and the EQ tuning engine. EQ and filter settings adjusted via the web console or App are stored in this chip system and survive power loss.
How can I confirm the chip scheme of the unit I bought?
Connect it to a computer with a USB cable and check the USB device name in Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS): the 01 shows CS43198 HiFi DSP Audio, the 02 shows Dual CS43198, and the 02 Pro shows Dual CS43198 + Dual SGM8262.
How do the H-Turbo and G-Turbo chips relate to the CS43198?
No direct relation - they're two separate product lines. The CS43198 scheme comes in a standalone body (01/02/02 Pro); H-Turbo/G-Turbo are custom chips that integrate decoding, EQ and drive in cable form (S1/S2/X1), positioned as lightweight and budget-friendly.
