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Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

Has anyone tried the Qudelix with I-Phone using a cable? I just got one and it is giving me lots of trouble (it connects and disconnects all the time)

PS: The reason for trying a cable instead of Bluetooth is that (as far as I know) LDAC seems not to be an available codec for I-Phone and the other codecs are rather lossy, but please do correct me if I'm wrong :)
Which IPhone do you have? I have a 15 Pro, and it works via USB just fine using the cable that came with the Qudelix. You just have to configure it properly in the app.
 
Which IPhone do you have? I have a 15 Pro, and it works via USB just fine using the cable that came with the Qudelix. You just have to configure it properly in the app.
How could I configure it?
I am using an IPhone SE with an otg cable by Fiio (LT LT1 - lightning to usb-c) but the phone goes nuts and switches constantly between bluetooth and cable connect to the qudelix
 
How could I configure it?
I am using an IPhone SE with an otg cable by Fiio (LT LT1 - lightning to usb-c) but the phone goes nuts and switches constantly between bluetooth and cable connect to the qudelix
You may need to set input priority to USB:
IMG_2269.jpeg

You still control the 5K from your iPhone through BT, but the 5K prioritizes audio input from USB when connected.

The audio input (USB, BT1, or BT2) is actually independent from the control (USB/Chrome Extension, BT/iOS or Android app).
 
You may need to set input priority to USB:
View attachment 417561
You still control the 5K from your iPhone through BT, but the 5K prioritizes audio input from USB when connected.

The audio input (USB, BT1, or BT2) is actually independent from the control (USB/Chrome Extension, BT/iOS or Android app).
will try, cheers!
 
Hi Zimmerman,

I use daily with my iPhone 13 promax. Running iOS 18.3. The cable must be an “OTG” type USB-C to Lighting. It has to be able to pass digital data to the Qudelix. Thus the “OTG” capability.

Here is the cable I currently use: (You can find cheaper versions out there)

Questyle USB C DAC OTG Cable 1.2m,4ft Audio Adapter for iPhone 13/12/11/X/8/7/6/Plus, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iOS15 to Type C Male Adaptor(Only fit for Amplifier M12i M15i) https://a.co/d/4Uq8U19
I am responding to myself because I have found an even better cable and it’s 1/3 the price. On sale currently for $11 USD. I have used it for about a week and it works perfectly. Does the OTG thing and also charges the 5K if you want it to. I also like the sheathing better. Over the years I have found that these cables seem to go bad. Maybe from the plugging and unplugging. I don’t know but in my case they do seem to go bad and stop working over time. This is such a great deal might consider buying two at this price.

APAPATEK for Lightning to USB-C OTG Cable for Camera Canon, Sony A7 A9, Nikon, Fuji and Panasonic. Import Photos, Videos for iPhone 14/13/12/11/XR, Nylon Braided, 3.3ft https://a.co/d/d9GS652
 
Quick question, since I’m not particularly knowledgeable on this topic: is there a significant/noticeable dip in sound quality between Performance and Standard mode?

Or in other words, is there even a benefit of activating Performance mode when the source is an iPhone which tops out at AAC over Bluetooth?
 
Quick question, since I’m not particularly knowledgeable on this topic: is there a significant/noticeable dip in sound quality between Performance and Standard mode?

Or in other words, is there even a benefit of activating Performance mode when the source is an iPhone which tops out at AAC over Bluetooth?
I do not notice any difference.
 
So I have had my Qudelix 5k for about 9 days now and I continue to be amazed by it. My main regret is that I have not had one for the last four years plus or so since it first came out.

I do have one question: I see that there are two settings for recharging the battery, to 80 percent and to 100 percent. This is apparently to make the battery last longer over time. I do note in this thread that some people have their battery degrading by now.

The question is, for you EE types and whatnot, does recharging to 80 percent instead of 100 likely substantially increase the useful life of the battery? Are there any other strategies to extend the useful life of the battery?
 
So I have had my Qudelix 5k for about 9 days now and I continue to be amazed by it. My main regret is that I have not had one for the last four years plus or so since it first came out.

I do have one question: I see that there are two settings for recharging the battery, to 80 percent and to 100 percent. This is apparently to make the battery last longer over time. I do note in this thread that some people have their battery degrading by now.

The question is, for you EE types and whatnot, does recharging to 80 percent instead of 100 likely substantially increase the useful life of the battery? Are there any other strategies to extend the useful life of the battery?
It is such a a wonderful little product, I'm using mine at the moment and have had it for about 2 years. I set it to the 80pc charge pretty much when I got it. The battery life is okay but it seems like such a shame that the device is hobbled by such a small non replaceable battery.

I would have been thrilled if it had been twice the size and it had a user replaceable battery. Otherwise try to stick to more efficient 'phones as using the device in balanced high performance mode will drain it faster. To be honest I mostly use it with iems and use a fosi ds2 for more hungry over ears.
 
So I have had my Qudelix 5k for about 9 days now and I continue to be amazed by it. My main regret is that I have not had one for the last four years plus or so since it first came out.

I do have one question: I see that there are two settings for recharging the battery, to 80 percent and to 100 percent. This is apparently to make the battery last longer over time. I do note in this thread that some people have their battery degrading by now.

The question is, for you EE types and whatnot, does recharging to 80 percent instead of 100 likely substantially increase the useful life of the battery? Are there any other strategies to extend the useful life of the battery?
Keeping lithium ion batteries parked at 100% is bad for longevity. If I'm about to go on a trip I wouldn't have a problem charging to 100% and then put and on to use. But for regular use 80% will enable the battery to last longer. But, personally, charging the K5 to 80% is more than enough to drive my headphone for a 6.5 hour day of air travel. That will, of course, vary by headphones and volume.

Note that not all "lithium" batteries are like that. It depends on the chemistry. "Lithium ion" typically does have this issue. They're also more expensive, lighter weight, and hold more energy (per volume or per mass) than some of the others There are other (often newer) formulations that can be cheaper, but heavier and hold less energy, that have no problems being parked at 100% (note the tradeoff can be a win: 100% of a less dense battery may be more energy than 80% of a more dense battery). If you were to buy, for example, an electric car, you would want to know what is in your car.
 
Quick question, since I’m not particularly knowledgeable on this topic: is there a significant/noticeable dip in sound quality between Performance and Standard mode?

Or in other words, is there even a benefit of activating Performance mode when the source is an iPhone which tops out at AAC over Bluetooth?

My understanding is that performance mode lowers the noise generated by the 5k and is recommend for use with high efficiency IEMs. So performance mode, which I believe also consumes a bit more power, should be chosen based on the connected headphones/IEMs, rather than the quality of the source or BT codec.
 
a small non replaceable battery
It is replaceable, but the original battery (which is rated at 3.8 V) is virtually impossible to find.
 
I would have been thrilled if it had been twice the size and it had a user replaceable battery.
If cost is no object… and if you don’t need BT—two big “if”, I agree—then Qudelix’ own T71 fits the bill.
 
Quick question, since I’m not particularly knowledgeable on this topic: is there a significant/noticeable dip in sound quality between Performance and Standard mode?

Or in other words, is there even a benefit of activating Performance mode when the source is an iPhone which tops out at AAC over Bluetooth?
Also note that the 5K automatically switches to ‘Performance’ mode when connected to USB.
See: https://www.qudelix.com/blogs/5k-dac-amp/es9218p
 
Do the T71 have a replaceable battery? I looked in the manual but it says nothing about it.
1736419864823.png

Granted you can find the battery, it should be relatively easy to replace.

Adding an interesting idea from Snowsky, a new FiiO sub-brand, the retro ‘Nano (~$60)’:
1736420402928.png

It’s essentially a BTR13 with a cassette player retro look and a replaceable 10440 (AAA size) replaceable battery. Not sure if we’ll see more of these, if pushed by new regulations like the one in EU.
If it’s like the BTR13 (I have one), it won’t be quite as “refined” as the 5K, but you still get a pretty good 10-band PEQ.
 
My understanding is that performance mode lowers the noise generated by the 5k and is recommend for use with high efficiency IEMs. So performance mode, which I believe also consumes a bit more power, should be chosen based on the connected headphones/IEMs, rather than the quality of the source or BT codec.
This makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for that!

I use relatively sensitive IEMs that definitely showcase some noise when connected directly to my MacBook Pro (Sennheiser IE 400), but they run super quiet when connected to the 5K via Bluetooth in Standard mode, so I guess I'll only use performance via USB.

Thanks again for the replies. Super helpful!
 
My advice: get a second Qudelix 5K from DROP at 95 $ as a replacement unit. That is cheaper than all the hussle of finding a replacement battery + shipping costs and customs!
 
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My advice: get a second Qudelix 5K from at 95 $ as a replacement unit. That is cheaper than all the hussle of finding a replacement battery + shipping costs and customs!
This is pretty much what I ended up doing. Now I have two units, one is a bit more "autonomous" :)
 
This is pretty much what I ended up doing. Now I have two units, one is a bit more "autonomous" :)
I have 3… pretty much “permanently” connected to the same HP. So, each of these three headphones is now made into a BT/USB-ready HP, with its own custom EQ.

One little hassle in the iOS app (haven’t checked Android): the app remembers the last 5K you connected. If you want to change settings on a different 5K, you have to “remove” it in the app and connect the other 5K as if it were new. This in the app only: no need to “forget” the 5K in the BT settings of iOS (I renamed each 5K, and select which one I want to connect to—if it’s not automatic).

EDIT: same behavior in the Chrome extension, but for whatever reason, it bothers me less… :cool:
 
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