Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

[brandall10]

Recently picked this up to drive my KSE1200 w/ Harman 2019 v2 curve posted by Oratory 1990. Sound fantastic... not quite to the level of the DAC in my 16" MBP, audibly a bit less detail/tightness in the bass, but it's slight. A big sonic upgrade over the the MiniDSP IL-DSP.

Also to note, when driving from an iOS device you can save much bulk over a camera adaptor kit setup by using a Meenova cable: https://shopmeenova.appspot.com/st/p/lgtnmuc.html. I've had a couple of these cables... they're pretty lightly built and my first one died on me within a couple months, but the current one I have still works 2 years later after maybe a couple hundred connects/disconnects. Of course you also need to pick up a USB micro -> C adaptor (got this and it's super minimal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G54XXZZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details)

 

[mSpot]

Of course you also need to pick up a USB micro -> C adaptor (got this and it's super minimal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G54XXZZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details)

There are Lightning to USB-C OTG cables available that wouldn't require an adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WQ1LY5D

 

[brandall10]

There are Lightning to USB-C OTG cables available that wouldn't require an adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WQ1LY5D

It's from the same company as my cable, but it's not MFI cert. Note that is says the DAC itself must be iOS compatible, this gets around that with a similar chip to what the camera adaptor has. Also you have to be careful to distinguish between MFI charge vs. data cert... tons of charge compliant cables on Amazon, but this is unique to handle the data side of things in such a small form factor.

 

[mSpot]

It's from the same company as my cable, but it's not MFI cert.

That's a valid concern depending on your needs. I don't have this cable myself but people on HeadFi have reported that it works for connecting between the Qudelix 5K and iPhone.

 

[brandall10]

That's a valid concern depending on your needs. I don't have this cable myself but people on HeadFi have reported that it works for connecting between the Qudelix 5K and iPhone.

Thanks, I'll take a look over there. The ad copy could be wrong, and being from the same company it could very well have the chip.

 

[Impossible]

Can anyone recommend a very short balanced 2 pin cable for this.

FYI my iem's are empire ears legend x.

 

[eas]

I noticed this in the latest firmware release notes:

The app v1.15.3 with the FW v1.9.2 is now available.

• USB DAC jitter optimization
• [...]

 

[fgfgfg]

For 4 Vrms, why does the Qudelix 5K only offer 210 mW into a 50 ohm load?

Spoiler: Ohm's law?

Each ES9218p channel has current limit at about 45mA, hence 50 * 0,045 * 2 = 4,5V p-p (~1,6V rms) →1,6^2 / 50 = 51,2mW Pretty darn close, right?
Balanced connection (also called bridge-tied load (BTL)) gives you twice more Voltage and Current, if done right. Hence 4x Power → 51,2 x 4 = 205

 

[Impossible]

So iv just got mine and the sound isn't very good compaired to connection to my huawei P30 Pro phone. My iem's are empire ears legend x.

Bass isn't as present and highs are the opposite of scrisp.

Any help with settings welcome else this is going back. Currency all settings default except added some gain in volume else it's too quiet.

 

[Jimbob54]

So iv just got mine and the sound isn't very good compaired to connection to my huawei P30 Pro phone. My iem's are empire ears legend x.

Bass isn't as present and highs are the opposite of scrisp.

Any help with settings welcome else this is going back. Currency all settings default except added some gain in volume else it's too quiet.

How are you connecting? USB or bluetooth? If bluetooth, which codec?

 

[Impossible]

How are you connecting? USB or bluetooth? If bluetooth, which codec?

Bluetooth, Sony codec ldac

 

[Palfim]

So iv just got mine and the sound isn't very good compaired to connection to my huawei P30 Pro phone. My iem's are empire ears legend x.

Bass isn't as present and highs are the opposite of scrisp.

Any help with settings welcome else this is going back. Currency all settings default except added some gain in volume else it's too quiet.

Are you using the balanced output and the newest firmware ? Mine autoswitched to the new QX crossfeed setting, but that sounds awful. You now can switch between balanced, unbalanced and QX mode in the app, I had to put "2.5 balanced" in the settings.

If you look at the review, the 5k has around -93 dB sinad until 0.4Vrms , or 0.8Vrms in balanced mode . Which inturn also gives a little better sinad, I can't really hear any difference compared to TOTL DACs and I have a couple sensitive IEMs.

Make sure ldac runs on 909kbps (44khz) and switch your WLAn to 5ghz . The common 2.4ghz wlan can degrade BT significally.

 

[Impossible]

Thanks I'll check these points and get back.

Kind regards

 

[Impossible]

For ldac on 44khz should I disable the other frequencys?

 

[eas]

To troubleshoot, eliminate bluetooth all together. How is it over USB?

 

[Impossible]

To troubleshoot, eliminate bluetooth all together. How is it over USB?

Terrible sound like I've added a vaile on the sound

 

[Impossible]

These are my settings attached.

I'm using 3.5mm port

 

[Hemi-Demon]

@Impossible

You better delete those pics, and check your bank account ASAP. The last two images have your email screen shots.

 

[eas]

For ldac on 44khz should I disable the other frequencys?

That's what I'd do.

These are my settings attached.

I'm using 3.5mm port

You may be using the 3.5mm port but the settings show that the 2.5mm balanced port has been manually selected.

 

[Impossible]

That's what I'd do.


You may be using the 3.5mm port but the settings show that the 2.5mm balanced port has been manually selected.

Yes I've tried both ways. Both settings.