Dongle Confusions

[1231rq32r1qw32r]

Hello everyone!

After having children, I’ve realised that I need to do some more headphone listing. I’ll be using my iPhone as the player, so portability is key. I’m searching for a DAC with the following features:

•Suitable for iPhone and portables
USB C
•PEQ (saveable to the DAC so it’s not reliant on an app after configuration)
•Can drive HD600
•Balanced output (4.4)
•Dongle form factor would be best, but if not, portability is key (I’ve got a few tabletop headphone amps, but I can’t have an external power source)

Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I’ve searched and searched but can’t find anything that ticks all the boxes. I don’t really care about price. Am I searching for something that doesn’t exist? What feature would you compromise on?

I apologise if this is a boring topic but I’ve run out of ideas and this is likely the best people to ask

Thank you all!

 

[staticV3]

Two dongles for the bill: Qudelix 5K and Neutron HiFi DAC V1.

 

[Power Pop 23]

One option may be the $229 Qudelix T71 DAC - it is larger than most dongles.

Qudelix sells a case for the T71 that supports MagSafe.

Store

Qudelix Bluetooth Qualcomm QCC512x ES9218P ESS DAC USB SONY LDAC Headphone Amp HiFi Audio aptX

www.qudelix.com

Qudelix T71 Portable DSP DAC & HP Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Qudelix T71 multichannel/stereo DSP portable DAC and balanced headphone amplifier. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and cost US $229. While larger than the typical "dongle," the T71 is still quite light and portable despite having a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Jarl]

And the Qudelix works as a Bluetooth receiver, which is very handy when you don't want the phone tethered to the headphones.

 

[staticV3]

Qudelix 5K can receive audio from iPhones either via Bluetooth (lossy AAC), or via USB (lossless PCM).

Unlike the Neutron dongle, there is a non-replaceable battery on board of the Qudelix.

It's not needed for usage via USB though, and you can decide via the App if you want to power it from the internal battery to preserve your iPhone's battery, or power it from USB to preserve the Qudelix' battery.

 

[john61ct]

Qudelix 5K with quality wired earphones or even fill headphones (closed back to not bother others)

Phone must support LDAC or aptX Adaptive in order to get SQ (almost) as good as a fully wired connection.

 

[1231rq32r1qw32r]

Hi all!

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond! I think I'm looking at getting a Qudelix T71 now, as it appears to do everything I want it to (and quite well too!). It seems like it's quite difficult to find in the UK, but I'll keep searching.

 

[Berwhale]

I've used my Quedlix 5K to drive my HD 660S. You need a 2.5mm TRRS adapter or cable for this. I have this cable which works well:

okcsc HDB2 Replacement Upgrade Headphone Cable with 2.5mm Balanced L Plug,4 Core OFC Silver Plated Audio Cord for Sennheiser HD650 HD600 HD580 HD565 HD545 HD525 HD414 HD25 HD6XX Headphone 1.5M/4.9ft : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

okcsc HDB2 Replacement Upgrade Headphone Cable with 2.5mm Balanced L Plug,4 Core OFC Silver Plated Audio Cord for Sennheiser HD650 HD600 HD580 HD565 HD545 HD525 HD414 HD25 HD6XX Headphone 1.5M/4.9ft : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

www.amazon.co.uk

My Q5K is 4 years old and the battery isn't what it used to be and is struggling to last for my commute to work. I have found a replacement battery, but it's not a straight swap and requires some modification of the Q5K case and soldering of the battery, so I keep putting it off.

In the mean time, purchased a Fiio BTR13 for less than £50 from AliExpress. The BTR13 has 4.4mm balanced out, but Fiio's software is nowhere near as polished as Qudelix, but I was able to create and store a couple of PEQ profiles on the unit (you can switch between PEQs on the BTR13, which the Q5K can't do without a phone or PC). The unit itself seems to function perfectly well and the battery life is significantly better than the Q5K even when it was new. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any decent measurements of the BTR13 out there to check it's objective performance.

Peter Tyson stock the BTR13 in the UK... https://petertyson.co.uk/fiio-btr13-bluetooth-headphone-amplifier-black

The BTR13 is a little more chunky than the Q5K, but on the plus side the clip on the back is less fiddly to use and the controls are a little more intuitive...

I just plugged my HD 660S into the BTR13, it gets plenty loud enough.

You could also consider the BTR17 which is £180 in the UK (I didn't want something this big for my commute): https://petertyson.co.uk/fiio-btr17-portable-bluetooth-dac-and-headphone-amplifier-black

 

[Power Pop 23]

Hi all!

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond! I think I'm looking at getting a Qudelix T71 now, as it appears to do everything I want it to (and quite well too!). It seems like it's quite difficult to find in the UK, but I'll keep searching.

Availability of the Qudelix T71 seems to have been spotty since the review in ASR.

Qudelix currently shows inventory of the T71 DAC at their website.

 

[Somafunk]

You could also consider the BTR17 which is £180 in the UK (I didn't want something this big for my commute): h

The Fiio dongles suffer from poor Fiio iOS app compatibility and the BTR17 has issues with correct EQ implementation, I bought a BTR17 for use with my iPhone as I liked the design and screen compared to my Qudelix 5k but very quickly realised my mistake, sold it and apologised to my 5k and begged forgiveness

 

[staticV3]

I think I'm looking at getting a Qudelix T71 now, as it appears to do everything I want it to

The 5K ticks all of your boxes, too btw, and it's less expensive, smaller, and more lightweight.

 

[Power Pop 23]

The 5K ticks all of your boxes, too btw, and it's less expensive, smaller, and more lightweight.

@1231rq32r1qw32r,

With the exception of not having a 4.4mm balanced jack, @staticV3 is correct about the Qudelix 5K ticking all of your boxes.

Consider acquiring a headphone cable for your HD600's that is terminated with a 2.5mm balanced plug to use with a Qudelix 5K.

The Qudelix T71 DAC may very likely be overkill for your usage case, unless you desire a feature on the T71 that is not on the 5K.

​

 

[1231rq32r1qw32r]

The 5K ticks all of your boxes, too btw, and it's less expensive, smaller, and more lightweight.

Thank you, it does. But I’ve got some cash to burn and like gadgets . I’ll likely order a T71 direct from manufacturer

 

[john61ct]

My Q5K is 4 years old and the battery isn't what it used to be and is struggling to last for my commute to work. I have found a replacement battery, but it's not a straight swap and requires some modification of the Q5K case and soldering of the battery, so I keep putting it off.

Manufacture of battery to q5k is VDL company: https://www.gdvdl.com

The Qudelix-5K thread

That is bizarre. I wonder if the USB-C standard even allows it. They cut cost by leaving out some wires.That can't be why! Maybe cuts down on jitter etc interference, cleaner signal if you're only doing USB Audio out, no return mic signal?

www.head-fi.org

 

[john61ct]

Q5K for out & about portability

 

[Berwhale]

Manufacture of battery to q5k is VDL company: https://www.gdvdl.com

The Qudelix-5K thread

That is bizarre. I wonder if the USB-C standard even allows it. They cut cost by leaving out some wires.That can't be why! Maybe cuts down on jitter etc interference, cleaner signal if you're only doing USB Audio out, no return mic signal?

www.head-fi.org

I know, but you can't buy 682134 anywhere, the closest match is the 602035...

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

Hey everyone. Need your light of wisdom and hive intelligence So i bought the Qudelix 5K and love it. However that made me thinking. I have some analog devices such as a Digitakt 2 and i started wondering what i can get to have the Qudelix flexibility but on a Line Out Headphone output. Is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[1231rq32r1qw32r]

Qudelix T71 Should be with me on Monday. Will report back. Thanks again everyone!

 

[1231rq32r1qw32r]

T71 arrived this morning, sounds wonderful and has so many config options. I really like it

Had to contact support, and they were supper fast and helpful. Lovely!