No, the way the Q5K handles volume means that it's performance is better than Amir's results under normal usage/common loads.
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Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp
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Curupira
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Ah, I see, I was reading the wrong post (the one about the ground feature) 
staticV3
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It's even compatible with 1200Ω headphones, or 30000Ω headphones for that matter.
High impedance headphones unburden the Amp.
It's low impedance headphones that strain the Amp, and then you have to check for compatibility.
And/or really inefficient headphones: requiring voltage or current that the amp can’t deliver to reach decent volume.
I meant, will it really drive a 600 ohm headphone like Audiotechnika normally? Will it have power, won't it be quiet and distorted? (average sensitivity). Thanks.
If you’re really concerned, you need to take a look at your headphones sensitivity: if it is, for example, 104dB/V SPL, it means that, for 1V signal out of the amp, you ll get 104dB sound level (very loud!). 1V is 1V… irrespective of the HP impedance. The difference is that, if the HP impedance is very low, as @staticV3 said, the amp also needs to be capable of higher current (Ohm’s Law…). A low efficiency (in dB/mW SPL) spec. could be a clue of a potentially problematic HP, especially if it’s combined with low impedance.
Some headphones have variable impedance vs. frequency: Sennheiser HD600/650 for example. They are also known to “scale” with amp power… For a long time, I wrongly assumed that the high impedance “hump” was the issue with low-power amp, when in fact it’s the other way around: low-power amp are perfectly happy in the high impedance area of the frequency response (high impedance and high sensitivity), but they may struggle to deliver enough current in the low impedance area—hence the “scaling” comments (largely anecdotal today when even the most basic dongle can drive a HD650).
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staticV3
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The Q5K will not distort with high impedance headphones.
Whether it will play loud enough, depends on the headphone model, playback content, playback configuration, and your listening habits.
In any case, buying (or modifying your headphone to take) a 2.5mm Bal cable is recommended.
Thanks everyone! Can you recommend an alternative to Qudelix? What's important to me: a similar cheap price, Aptx Bt capability, built-in battery, and it can drive headphones with an impedance between 32-600 Ohms. You might also be interested in a cheaper one, if it doesn't have a PEQ, that's okay, as long as it has the power... I'm Hungarian, so I need something that's available here. Thanks, have a nice day everyone!
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No
Parametric EQ gives one more precise control over the sound they are hearing. The software of the Qudelix 5K is mature and works well.
Consider saving up for a Qudelix 5K.
Hey there.
Since you seem to be knowing your stuff.
Regarding the 5K or maybe better not really the 5K can you recommend a compact Dac that can also do PEQ Auto Preset and all these goodies BUT
one that is not bound to having to be plugged via USB or Bluetooth but being able to be used on a „normal“ Line Out-Headphone out?
I am looking for something for predominantly home use but it does not mean i want i dont care about size cause i might wanna take it with me
when travelling.
However it does not have to have Battery functionality or Bluetooth etc. Just something i can Eq the headphone output of my Interface
staticV3
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miniDSP 2x4HD + regular headphone amp
DIY Audio Heaven Kameleon
Nvarcher DSP board discussed here
The latter is easily the most cost-effective solution, but likely also the most clunky.
For headphone output, I remember reading about a capacitor swap on the NVarcher which reduced bass distortion and bass roll off with low impedance headphones, though can't find the post currently.
1) Would prefer a „all in one enclosure“ solution unless its is not existent
2) Diy, while i love occasional DIY i am currently head over heals in the „other“ work that is less fun but pays the rent and i lack the muse and
energy to build things right now
I was hoping on something like a Topping desktop Dac formats.
But now i remember that i have looked for this in the past and ended up buying the 5K and forgetting my initial quest which caught up with me
That would be an analog EQ (not DAC or digital device at all) or ADC-EQ-DAC device. But why do you want something like this in the first place? There are a lot of cheap (and not so cheap) DACs with DSP and headphone amp, from dongles to desktop products.
I am aware of this and it might not make sense to everyone but in short
, Because,
“one that is not bound to having to be plugged via USB or Bluetooth but being able to be used on a „normal“ Line Out-Headphone out”
And not 100% analog because I would like to be able to store presets so it will have to either be a dsp with analog in out or like the other gentleman proposed something like a mini DSP with a headphone amp, which I find it too big
somebodyelse
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The previously mentioned Kameleon is analog, but has 'presets' in the form of plugable PCBs for different headphone models.
Hmm this sounds interesting but a bit unflexible imho. What if you don’t like the predefined correction? I need to be able to customize it myself. But interesting concept
Then you’re stuck with ADC–EQ–DAC devices, and I believe there’s really nothing that exists as a ready to use product except miniDSP solutions, like the one Static has already suggested. But it will be pricier and will add an extra ADC step, since the source of your analog output is most likely digital.
I don`t care about another conversion stage. Like at all. I don`t hear conversion quality loss or whatever others hear tbh. I don`t think i have golden ears.
Eq balance however i notice from a mile away. I could hear Eq balance since i can remember and it still is the only thing i care about. Give me a recording and pay it back with the best converters and 32bit and 192khz and as soon as i find a snare mixed too loud or some instrument has a penetrating resonance at 900hz and it is over for me and much more serious than sound quality as i resolution and bit depth. Or give me a Beyerdynamic 1990 or 1770 and i will get headache cause of the sibilance and high mid brightness. I have stopped worrying about conversion sound quality since converters reached the point they reached 10 years ago.
I don`t hear differences anymore in this regard. Different priorities i guess.
I just want a relatively compact „all in one enclosure“ amp that i can connect to any headphone socket i will encounter in my life and have it adjusted to my cans and ready to roll.
I have enough Dacs, Interfaces and computers around me where i can do Eq. This in not what i am looking for. I also have the Qudelix for this.
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