Wow very positive review.
Stereo separations, dynamics and "jump factor" are same as AK380 and resolution is darn close between them. This is very impressive for a DAP costing $899. I need to get my hands on it asap. I will love to compare side by side between AK240 balance and Q1PR.
Thanks Steve for the review.
Always glad to help. The resolution is outstanding as is the channel separation on the QP1R. Really makes me rethink about if we 'need' balanced. Don't get me wrong, there are, technically, clear advantages in employing a balanced circuitry so this begs the questions, what is *really* going on.... and why.
Exactly the reason why I asked you this specific balanced vs QP1R single ended.
I do have a K10, but I don't have a balanced cable. If the performance of this DAP are quite close to what a balanced output from some comparable DAP, then it's highly beneficial to me to go to this one. I'd like to save 200-300€ for a good balanced cable, and I don't trust too much in my soldering abilities
For all the reviewers, please keep in mind that naming the areas where the device is weak says as much if not more than its strengths. I do feel however that this is a little gem
Thanks and the 'weakness' with the QP1R is the way it handles the smaller dynamics. There is dynamic compression as compared to the AK240, AK380 and especially in the King ZX2. For now (imho) the Sony ZX2 is King in microdynamic shading. It also still gets the nod for best sound
I prefer within the car. Not wholly accurate per se, yet daaaamn it makes my car sound like an after-hours dubsetp / rock club. Whilst the ZX2 gently steers you towards a more harmonically rich and graceful nature, yet still powerful, the Astell&Kern is an excellent accurate player (with the AK380 a
very nice step ahead of the AK240). The Questyle QP1R has massive resolution and very clearly defined imaging, image width, etc. Nothing has been so impressive with imaging as the QP1R with Noble K10 / Double Helix silver combo.
Of course the Sony is 'worthless' as a stand-alone if you use Audeze LCD3 or other power hungry headphones as it doesn't have enough amplification, yet with the Noble K10 and balanced top-line Double Helix silver cable it's musically magical. In fact am listening to the Sony/DH/K10 setup right now. It is a nice, gentle morning wake-up music as ambient / trance music plays. Love the subtle textures and the way it handles very small dynamic shading. Feels like a cozy morning breeze while chillin' with my morning breakfast cigar on Koh Phi Phi Don island.
On the other hand, the Questyle kicks it into overdrive and can get your groovin' and toe-tapping like no other DAP I have heard. You.... hear.... everything.... resolution. Feels like winning yet another race in the Formula 2000 car. Pure adrenalin x10.
The AK380 system is incredibly flexible and a has tons of internal storage. Excellent resolution and wish I had an AK380 here for a deeper comparo. Am hoping to one day get the entire AK380 ecosystem as it is
very interesting and of course extremely high quality. Reminds me of doing highly technical work ensuing everything is as it should be.
As always, in the end what really matters is that you....
Enjoy the Music
