Portable DAC with EQ

[Ten Protons]

Hello.
Could you please recommend a portable DAC up to $500 with a built-in equalizer?
The main feature is that it can be controlled via USB from a computer.

I was looking at the FiiO KA17, but its equalizer can only be adjusted from the phone, which is very inconvenient.
I've read about the Qudelix 5K, but according to reviews, it doesn't have clear and transparent enough sound.

 

[staticV3]

I've read about the Qudelix 5K, but according to reviews, it doesn't have clear and transparent enough sound.

According to the measurements, it does.

Ears are easily fooled into hearing what's not there. Audio analyzers aren't.

The Qudelix undoubtedly has clear and transparent enough sound.

 

[Ten Protons]

Based on your answer, there are no other offers on the market than the ones I mentioned above?

 

[staticV3]

Based on your answer, there are no other offers on the market than the ones I mentioned above?

There are other options, but none of them can match the Qudelix in quality and quantity of features, value for money, and long-term software support.

Seriously. If the Qudelix fits your use case, then just buy it. The competition is miles behind.

 

[Ten Protons]

There are other options, but none of them can match the Qudelix in quality and quantity of features, value for money, and long-term software support.

Seriously. If the Qudelix fits your use case, then just buy it. The competition is miles behind.

Thanks for answer.

 

[Jimbob54]

There are other options, but none of them can match the Qudelix in quality and quantity of features, value for money, and long-term software support.

Seriously. If the Qudelix fits your use case, then just buy it. The competition is miles behind.

+1 on that. Amazing really that its what, 3 years old ? and still pretty much in a class of its own, or at least top of a very small class. Especially given the boom in the IEM market and the wide discussions in the community about EQ. TBH I am not sure if there will ever be a true successor given that it looks like on-cable DSP seems to be the way of the future (for better or worse) .

 

[BDWoody]

I've read about the Qudelix 5K, but according to reviews, it doesn't have clear and transparent enough sound.

It may not be fancy or expensive enough to get full credit from 'reviewers,' but don't let that hold you back. I love mine.

 

[jhaider]

I've read about the Qudelix 5K, but according to reviews, it doesn't have clear and transparent enough sound.

That’s likely just because the people making such idiotic pronouncements aren’t smart enough fo use any modern product.

 

[Ten Protons]

That’s likely just because the people making such idiotic pronouncements aren’t smart enough fo use any modern product.

Maybe

I read its comparisons with tanchjim space and hidizs s9 pro (which I own) and according to the Qudelix 5K reviews, it lost to them in clarity. Although maybe you are right and I need to take a chance and buy it.

 

[Ten Protons]

I forgot to ask one small thing - if I adjust the equalizer on the FiiO KA17 via my phone, will these settings work when I connect it to my computer?

 

[staticV3]

I forgot to ask one small thing - if I adjust the equalizer on the FiiO KA17 via my phone, will these settings work when I connect it to my computer?

Yes.

 

[Ten Protons]

I purchased a Qudelix 5K and it has been great. Thank you all for your advice.

 

[dmitrykos]

I purchased a Qudelix 5K and it has been great. Thank you all for your advice.

While you have purchased DAC with EQ I would like to add Neutron HiFi DAC V1 to the list of mentioned DACs with EQ which satisfies primary search criteria, so that readers of this thread considering the same would have wider choice:

1. "portable DAC up to $500 with a built-in equalizer"
2. "can be controlled via USB from a computer" - with NConfigurator app
3. "have clear and transparent enough sound" - according to recent Amir's review
4. DAC V1 it offers more DSP features than other 2 mentioned, check specification for more details

Review of DAC V1:

Neutron HiFi DAC V1 Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 portable DAC and headphone amplifier with signal processing (e.g. EQ). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $180. I didn't think it was possible to give a feeling of luxury and style to a dongle...

www.audiosciencereview.com

DAC V1's page:

Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 | Portable USB DAC and Preamp with DSP (PEQ, Crossfeed, ...)

Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 is a hi-res audio USB DAC device with advanced hardware, software and aesthetic design. Supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, up to DSD256.

neutronhifi.com

 

[lopchu]

There are other options, but none of them can match the Qudelix in quality and quantity of features, value for money, and long-term software support.

Seriously. If the Qudelix fits your use case, then just buy it. The competition is miles behind.

Is that still a valid statement?

I just received the HD 560S and love them. But I even like them more with some EQ settings (tested with easyeffects on Arch and EQ Mac on MacOS).

Now I‘d like the same sound with my iPhone/iPad. I only know of the Fiio KA15, KA17 and the Fiio Jade Audio JA 11 that have a PEQ and are portable.

Comparing these, does hint at dis(advantages)?

I gathered so far:

App support: Qudelix is the winner as Fiio has no app.
PEQ: the JA11 had some problems (see the JA11 thread). Don’t know how well the implementation works with the other devices (eq needs to be set via a web interface)
DAC: Qudelix has been measured and seems transparent. Fiio no clue.
Amp: Qudelix is fine for my headphones. Fiio probably as well?!?
Misc: the battery of the Qudelix is nice. The KA17 has a second usb c in. The Fiios have a „desktop mode“ but don’t know whether that would add something valuable.
Design: Fiio KA15 wins for me
Price: where I am, roughly the same (119/129).

I‘d really like to go with a Moondrop Dawn Pro, a Tanchjim Space or a Fosi dongle as they are noch cheaper. But no EQ with iPhone is a show stopper. And I don’t need an external /amp for the MacBook (which measured well, sounds good, loud enough). Rather, with a PEQ equipped dongle I wouldn’t need to pay for soundsource or EQ Mac.

Any tips are much appreciated. Oh and I might know the obvious and easy answer already: buy a Qudelix 5k

Edit: The Neutron HiFi DAC V1 is more expensive (167€ + shipping) and not locally available - so not on the list for me.

 

[unpluggged]

Is that still a valid statement?

Why should it no longer be? The company did not go anywhere and the product is still supported (four years since its introduction — have you heard the same about any of the competitors? Only Western pro-audio vendors offer similar level of support and product lifecycles, but for a corresponding premium).

 

[ShadowBoxer]

PEQ: the JA11 had some problems (see the JA11 thread). Don’t know how well the implementation works with the other devices (eq needs to be set via a web interface)

Or the FiiO app.