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Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

This little thing works so well with my DCA Stealth that I'm considering ditching the RME ADI-2 and using this as my only DAC+amp. And it's only a tenth of the price and it's portable, which is huge for me!

The AAC Bluetooth implementation also seems to be done correctly on the Qudelix 5K, wheras there are subtle bugs causing audible artifacts with both FiiO and iFi's Bluetooth implementations.

I guess the only concern is that when I listen loud, I'm approaching the limits of the 5K's volume (with balanced out and 6db headroom enabled) for some listening scenarios, whereas the ADI-2 has more than enough headroom. When my ears get worse with age I can imagine that the 5K won't suffice anymore.
 
Last edited:
Thoer said:
So I got this some days ago and I really like the app! There is however a lot of options, and I'm not sure if I sent everything at the best option for my use. I am using this primarily for my Denon AH-D7200 (25 ohm, 105 db sensitivity). I put performance and output power at high, and I also set the Oratory eq for Denon on both my standard setup and this one. I firstly noticed that the Denon bass didn't feel as present on the Qudelix. I eq'ed the high frequencies down which indirectly boosts bass a bit and also gives more headroom from higher preamp setting and it helped a bit. But I tried to switch to my standard setup with the same eq settings and the bass felt better, also the sound felt slightly cleaner in general. I expected it to be pretty much the same. I just don't know whether it's imaginatory, if I'm not using the optimal settings, or if the difference in equipment actually matters in this case.

Standard setup: Topping D30Pro and Schiit Jotunheim 2 (USB, balanced XLR cables, and XLR headphone cable at low gain setting)
Qudelix 5K: 6.3mm headphone cable with 3.5mm adapter from Grado. Bluetooth, Sony codec ldac with android phone. I have ordered a 2.5mm cable but I'm not sure if that will make a significant difference..

Anyone know if theres anything here that could be the reason outside of just imagination? I do think that I already have more than enough headroom.
Click to expand...
Switching to 2.5mm balanced solved the problem for me. A bit strange as I thought that I would have enough power for these easily driven headphones with 3.5mm. Who knows, maybe the problem was not even there to begin with.
 
Just FYI it looks like the qudelix site has them in stock again.
 
If anyone sees these for sale anywhere please let me know. Seem to be out of stock everywhere! Only one I've found is some joker selling one for more than double the RRP on the bay.

Or, any recommendations for suitable alternatives?
 
Does anyone know if it is possible to add another band of EQ to the Presets?

I find the Harman Curve a little bright on top and would like like to engineer some roll-off without having to enter everything in manually.
 
sfdoddsy said:
Does anyone know if it is possible to add another band of EQ to the Presets?

I find the Harman Curve a little bright on top and would like like to engineer some roll-off without having to enter everything in manually.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can do your own custom eq, and you could modify the eq provided for your headphones.
 
Questions to Qudelix Owners:
iPhone Late models with latest IOS , etc...
Sony WMX-1000 v3 headphones...
How can I use the Qudelix to EQ these headphones?.. Currently using an App called Boom but not pleased with the stupid interface...

Peace
 
FrantzM said:
Questions to Qudelix Owners:
iPhone Late models with latest IOS , etc...
Sony WMX-1000 v3 headphones...
How can I use the Qudelix to EQ these headphones?.. Currently using an App called Boom but not pleased with the stupid interface...

Peace
Click to expand...
You use this app: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/qudelix/id1515641059
The app controls the EQ that is stored in the Qudelix hardware, so you can use whatever app for playing content independently from the EQ settings.
 
FrantzM said:
Questions to Qudelix Owners:
iPhone Late models with latest IOS , etc...
Sony WMX-1000 v3 headphones...
How can I use the Qudelix to EQ these headphones?.. Currently using an App called Boom but not pleased with the stupid interface...

Peace
Click to expand...
DjBonoBobo said:
You use this app: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/qudelix/id1515641059
The app controls the EQ that is stored in the Qudelix hardware, so you can use whatever app for playing content independently from the EQ settings.
Click to expand...
A bit confused here. Perhaps I didn't explain what I need to accomplish. I don't want to EQ a wired headphones rather a BT headphones, the Sony WMX-1000 3. How do I connect the iPhone to the Qudelix? BT? Then How do I connect the Headphones to the Qudelix , wireless/BT? I don't want to connect it wired to the Qudelix, rather through BT.
 
FrantzM said:
A bit confused here. Perhaps I didn't explain what I need to accomplish. I don't want to EQ a wired headphones rather a BT headphones, the Sony WMX-1000 3. How do I connect the iPhone to the Qudelix? BT? Then How do I connect the Headphones to the Qudelix , wireless/BT? I don't want to connect it wired to the Qudelix, rather through BT.
Click to expand...
The Qudelix is a bluetooth receiver, rather than transmitter so you can't connect bluetooth headphones to it sorry. Its use case for bluetooth is in enabling wired headphones to connect to a bluetooth source by plugging them into the Q5k.
 
mugbot said:
The Qudelix is a bluetooth receiver, rather than transmitter so you can't connect bluetooth headphones to it sorry. Its use case for bluetooth is in enabling wired headphones to connect to a bluetooth source by plugging them into the Q5k.
Click to expand...
:(
 
FrantzM said:
A bit confused here. Perhaps I didn't explain what I need to accomplish. I don't want to EQ a wired headphones rather a BT headphones, the Sony WMX-1000 3. How do I connect the iPhone to the Qudelix? BT? Then How do I connect the Headphones to the Qudelix , wireless/BT? I don't want to connect it wired to the Qudelix, rather through BT.
Click to expand...
Yes, sorry, i did not understand your question correctly.
 
If you're referring to the WH-1000XM3 headphones (I couldn't find the model listed) they can be connected wired to the qudelix if that helps?
So there would just be source -> q5k via bluetooth -> headphones via wire
 
Even better, switch to Roon.

The EQ capability is what separates it from everyone else
 
sfdoddsy said:
Even better, switch to Roon.

The EQ capability is what separates it from everyone else
Click to expand...
Roon's server won't run on a phone, so it's not an option in this case. In the situation where Roon can run there are also other options with EQ.
 
You can use a Bluetooth headphone via your phone/iPad with Roon and EQ it. I do this with my Airpod Pros and bed Shure SE215 (with Bluetooth dongle). The improvement puts them close enough (or above) my non-EQed 7hz and ATH-r70x to be moot. I bought the Qubelix to go wireless and EQ my various phones, but find myself using the Roon EQ instead and the Qudelix as a basic wireless amp.
 
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