Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

[Jimbob54]

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…

Same on android too . Even if you name each 5k differently for the phones Bluetooth

 

[BolusOfDoom]

Leaving this here for search purposes in case someone else has the same problem.

I leave my Qudelix-5k plugged in my PC's USB port most of the time and had it set to turn on automatically when plugged in (ON at USB DAC mode). I found it yesterday still plugged in to the PC but turned off. Both buttons were unlit. I tried to turn it on by unplugging and replugging, but that didn't work. Windows picked up a USB device, but Windows reported a "driver error" under Windows 11 Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Qudelix-5K. The Qudelix Chrome app wouldn't connect.

I had set the Power On option to be holding the Red and Blue lower buttons at the same time. I tried that after plugging it in, and also after unplugging it. Still didn't work. In case it had defaulted to the factory settings, I also tried holding the lower Blue button to turn it on, plugged and unplugged. Didn't work. I mashed every button combination. I thought it was bricked.

The thing that DID work was unplugging it, holding down both the Red and Blue buttons, then plugging it in to the USB port WHILE holding those buttons. So it was the combo of plugging it in to USB while holding down what was set as the Power On button setting. It then connected to the Chrome app, and it had retained all the previous settings including the PEQ.

 

[Bernd]

It is replaceable, but the original battery (which is rated at 3.8 V) is virtually impossible to find.

And that is also why I purchased 2 refurbished units on Amazon France for a total of 155 Euros.

It was a 'just in case' operation but I cannot see a better dongle DAC/Amp combo coming our way any time soon.

And then there is the law of the diminishing returns. No product is 100% perfect. But when it comes to my use case and to my preferences the QUDELIX reaches a 90% satisfaction level. Of course I could invest some more money to purchase a better measuring DAC/AMP. But to what end? To go from 90 % to 93 %. That would be the worst investment of my lifetime.

 

[Phorize]

The Qudelix-5K is a compact, high-performance Bluetooth DAC and headphone amplifier featuring dual ES9218P SABRE DACs, offering both 3.5mm unbalanced and 2.5mm balanced outputs. It supports advanced Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, aptX Adaptive, and AAC, ensuring high-quality wireless audio. The device boasts a built-in 10-band parametric equalizer, customizable via its companion app, allowing precise sound tuning. With a battery life ranging from 6 to 20 hours, depending on usage, and a lightweight design, it's ideal for portable use. Additionally, it functions as a USB DAC, making it versatile for both mobile and desktop audio setups.

There's no arguing with that.

 

[Berwhale]

There's no arguing with that.

Well strictly speaking, it has 20 band parametric EQ.

 

[Phorize]

Well strictly speaking, it has 20 band parametric EQ.

Indeed, one could say it's the swiss army knife of portable audio

 

[patoulol]

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.

What do you mean by "refined"? blind do we hear a difference?

 

[Soniclife]

Well strictly speaking, it has 20 band parametric EQ.

Someone's AI needs updating.

 

[CedarX]

What do you mean by "refined"? blind do we hear a difference?

I meant the app: the Qudelix Apps (Android, iOS, and Chrome extension) are very well thought IMO. The Fiio Apps are OK, just not as polished… again, my opinion!
The FiiO hardware is fine, and comparable to the Qudelix 5K.

 

[unpluggged]

The FiiO hardware is fine, and comparable to the Qudelix 5K.

It's not. Qudelix developed their own LDAC decoder library for the QCC5124. Fiio in the best case used some example code, and in the worst case, well, you know how they do it over there in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Besides, I have a Fiio X3 II DAP that has a faulty power circuit out of the box that leads to the DAP being unable to shut down properly (it just makes a power cycle instead of shutting down and turning off) and cuts off power randomly. I also had a pair of FA7 IEMs that developed a ringing artifact on some soprano notes after a week of use. So no, Fiio is not on par with Qudelix.

 

[jkim]

Besides, I have a Fiio X3 II DAP that has a faulty power circuit out of the box that leads to the DAP being unable to shut down properly (it just makes a power cycle instead of shutting down and turning off) and cuts off power randomly. I also had a pair of FA7 IEMs that developed a ringing artifact on some soprano notes after a week of use. So no, Fiio is not on par with Qudelix.

I am a big fan of Qudelix and the company's engineer owner. But I believe we want to think of this issue on a case-by-case basis. Like @CedarX, my experience with Fiio products has been fine.

As for the hardware implementation of the 5K, though, it is not ideal in pure, distortion aspects. The Fiio BTR15, based on the same DAC/amp combo chip (ES9219), produces substantially lower harmonic distortions than the Qudelix 5K at the same output levels. I own and have measured both the 5K and BTR15. I am planning to write a comparison review of these two devices...

 

[patoulol]

produces substantially lower harmonic distortions

audible harmonic distortions?

 

[jkim]

audible harmonic distortions?

Of course, that is a completely different question that cannot be answered by electronic/acoustic measurements alone.

 

[PiedroPieretto]

Anyone else experienced the clip … just breaking on them?

I initially thought the clip to be the dorkiest thing about it, until I realized how practical it is to wear the Qudelix like an on-stage IEM receiver clipped to the back of my belt.

However, this apparently caused quite a bit of strain to the pins holding the clip, and one day while walking through the streets it just … snapped and fell off?

This happened just 5 months after purchasing it. Qudelix customer service was … weird. Asking me to forward the app’s diagnostics to them (like, what does this have to do with anything). Thankfully, I bought it on Amazon and they refunded me the full amount.

Seeing how much I love this little thing, I bought it again. However, the quality control of the clip is a concern to me now. So much so that I’m now semi-looking into competing bluetooth dacs. Many of which don’t have a clip out-of-the-box, but they either come with or have cases available that do feature belt clips.

Here’s hoping the new one won’t fail on me quite as fast again. Just really really sucks.

 

[CedarX]

Anyone else experienced the clip … just breaking on them?

I initially thought the clip to be the dorkiest thing about it, until I realized how practical it is to wear the Qudelix like an on-stage IEM receiver clipped to the back of my belt.

However, this apparently caused quite a bit of strain to the pins holding the clip, and one day while walking through the streets it just … snapped and fell off?

This happened just 5 months after purchasing it. Qudelix customer service was … weird. Asking me to forward the app’s diagnostics to them (like, what does this have to do with anything). Thankfully, I bought it on Amazon and they refunded me the full amount.

Seeing how much I love this little thing, I bought it again. However, the quality control of the clip is a concern to me now. So much so that I’m now semi-looking into competing bluetooth dacs. Many of which don’t have a clip out-of-the-box, but they either come with or have cases available that do feature belt clips.

Here’s hoping the new one won’t fail on me quite as fast again. Just really really sucks.

I think it was intended to be clipped on your shirt—why do you think they included mics if it was to be clipped on your… a***ss?

 

[Berwhale]

Anyone else experienced the clip … just breaking on them?

No issues with clip on my Q5K purchased 2022 and used almost daily since then. My Q5K is usually clipped to my shirt front, but occasionally I do carry it at belt level in one of these little cases...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096W4LMXZ

The Q5K fits in the front pouch with a short USB-C cable and a couple of adapters, I keep my IEMs in the back pouch.

 

[Somafunk]

Anyone else experienced the clip … just breaking on them?

Looking at the clip on my 5k it’s only got a narrow opening angle and of a size/strength to suit soft fabrics that are easily deformed when 5k is attached , no wonder it breaks if you clip it to a belt

 

[Blorg]

I have two of them. The clip broke yesterday on the older one, after 1,251 days (3.5 years). It still works fine other than the clip. I have two as I use one in a fixed position for DAC and EQ into a headphone amp, so I'll swap that one out for my clip use and put this on that duty.

I'd buy another one; that we are still getting free firmware updates adding features after years is fantastic.

 

[Oso Polar]

Anyone else experienced the clip … just breaking on them?

I bought my Qudelix-5K in November 2020 and it still works fine, including the clip. But I don't clip it to a belt - I clip it to a shirt or to a pocket (of a jacket or jeans). It is possible that your belt is too thick for it and causes too much strain.

 

[PiedroPieretto]

Looking at the clip on my 5k it’s only got a narrow opening angle and of a size/strength to suit soft fabrics that are easily deformed when 5k is attached , no wonder it breaks if you clip it to a belt

I mean, lesson learned, I’ll clip it to my jeans pocket instead. But it’s not like Qudelix specifies where you are supposed to clip that thing, though?