OP
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- #81
If it has a volume control, I use it.
-
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Qudelix T71 Portable DSP DAC & HP Amp
- Thread starter amirm
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Merkurio
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On the 50 mV topic, in a realistic real-world usage scenario I’ve used mine both with my IE300 using the stock 3.5 mm cable and the Zero 2 using a 2.5 mm balanced cable, in both cases at the maximum T71's output on normal gain (2V and 4V with volume controlled from the source, not lowering the output voltage) and I haven’t noticed any hiss in either setup, pretty much the same as when I was using the 5K, although it’s also true that these are dynamic IEMs and don’t have output impedances as low as some other ultra-sensitive models with multi-BAs or more exotic configurations.
LMFAO wtf. I actually laughed out loudIt took a while to re-train my brain to not let the 'ESS IMD Hump' give me a virtual wedgie.
dasdoing
Major Contributor
it is cool, but why do I need the DSP in the device when I can do it more effectively on my PC/Laptop?
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The Qudelix T71 (and Qudelix 5K) brings DSP to a more portable device than a laptop.
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What about smartphones and tablets (Android, IOS)? I use the 5K for both (Android).
Merkurio
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I would like the nominate the Qudelix T71 as the most innovative and top performing DAC of 2025, please!
The funny thing is that it’s a device that’s already more than two years old, I bought it back in September 2023.
dasdoing
Major Contributor
no clue if this really works, but:
Wavelet: headphone equalizer - Apps on Google Play
System-wide audio equalizer with AutoEq for headphones, bass booster and more
Merkurio
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In the case of the T71, for two specific reasons:
- Not having to rely on additional software on your computer, and being able to store presets on a standalone device that can be used across multiple computers, phones, or tablets (via USB-C).
- Thanks to its multichannel audio capabilities and stereo downmixing, watching movies/series or playing videogames has become a much more enjoyable and immersive experience for me, even good mastered Dolby Atmos music tracks sound great (albeit without head tracking).
jasonhanjk
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Noisy for low z iem. With that price, sorry not interested.
Noisy compared to what? Could you explain?
jasonhanjk
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I always check the THD at 1mW.
TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...
www.audiosciencereview.com
I don’t think this the correct way to look at it: these measurements are about max. power, they are not trying to assess noise. If you were to operate at 1mW and wanted minimum noise, you would go in low-gain and/or use the device built-in volume control when available. See earlier @jkim post and his link to the 5K measurements that explain this better.I always check the THD at 1mW.
TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...
If you’re concerned about noise, I believe the 50mV measurement is a better metric: the T71 is ~88dB, whereas the Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro you referenced is ~93dB. The BHD Pro is quieter, but I’m not sure the difference is that meaningful. I would trust Amir’s comment: “not the quietest amp but still, above average.” I believe that’s the price you pay for having 8V available on the output.
So, if you only use low-impedance IEMs, are concerned about noise, and want the lowest price, then yes, the BHD Pro may be a better choice… although I’m not sure it has this built-in analog volume control feature.
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As @CedarX pointed out above, for low-level noise performance, you want to see the 50 mV SNR measurement. Here's a reason.I always check the THD at 1mW.
TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...
With sensitive IEMs connected, the user always engages the device's volume control. But not all devices use the same volume control method. As informed by Amir earlier in this thread, for his 50 mV noise test, he tries to adjust volume using a method that fits each device to mimic real use cases (i.e., lowest gain setting, if available, along with on-device volume control). But the 33-ohm load test you refer to always relies on the test tone generator's digital attenuation.
And you know what? The reason why the TempoTec Sonata BHD excels in the above chart is simply because of the CS43131 DAC chip's built-in Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE). Its net effect on noise performance is no different than engaging manual analog volume control. However, it is not an ideal way to use analog attenuation, as shown in my review here and here. Its byproduct, DRE-induced distortion, is not acceptable in my view. With DRE turned off, all CS43131-based devices' SNR @ 50 mV becomes worse than the Qudelix T71's. For this reason, it is a proper view that whenever analog attenuation is available, it should be offered in the form of manual volume control (i.e., gain adjustment), NOT in the form of automated DRE.
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Amir must have used the right setting. Considering that the T71 has higher gain than the 5K, the 88 dB SNR (w/ CCIR-2K weighting) measured here is about the right ballpark estimate, based on my 50 mV SNR measurement (93 dB) of the 5k. Without analog attenuation engaged, 88 dB SNR would be impossible.
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The power of a highly positive review at ASR ?
I have no idea how many were 'in stock', but...
The Qudelix T71 DAC/Headphone amplifier is now 'currently unavailable' at Amazon USA after being in stock for all but a handful of the past 393 days - per a price history at Keepa dot com.
keepa.com
EDIT - perhaps this will incentivize 'Drop' to pursue offering the Qudelix T71 dongle at a discounted price.
I have no idea how many were 'in stock', but...
The Qudelix T71 DAC/Headphone amplifier is now 'currently unavailable' at Amazon USA after being in stock for all but a handful of the past 393 days - per a price history at Keepa dot com.
Keepa.com - Amazon Price Tracker
Amazon price history charts, price drop alerts, price watches, daily drops and browser extensions.
keepa.com
EDIT - perhaps this will incentivize 'Drop' to pursue offering the Qudelix T71 dongle at a discounted price.
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