Questyle QP2R

Introduction: ​

Greetings and Mabuhay from the Philippines! I am excited to bring you another review, and in this one, we will be looking at the high-end DAP, the QP2R, from Questyle - my second review from the brand.



The QP2R is a dedicated music player without the additional features of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or being an Android-based DAP. It solely focuses on playing your hi-res audio files without any distractions. However, with the increasing competition in the DAP market and the rise of feature-packed models, will the QP2R continue to hold its ground? Let's dive right in and find out!

FOREWORD:​

• No EQ is ever applied in my reviews. In this case a DAP, no MSEB or post sound alteration have been applied.
• For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
• As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

Specifications:​

I don’t want to bore you with the details here as I am no engineer and honestly, I’m in the dark when reading specifications especially when it comes to DAPs. But for formalities, let me grab the specifications from a fellow reviewer from QP2R’s thread from Headfi. (Credit goes to moedawg140)

Audio Formats Supported:
WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, APE(Normal/High/Fast)
Sample Rate:
PCM 32kHz - 384kHz (16/24/32Bit)
DSD Native: DSD64 (1Bit 2.8MHz)
DSD128(1Bit 5.6MHz), DSD256(1Bit 11.2MHz)
DAC:
AKM AK4490 DAC chip
Outputs:
Headphone out (3.5mm)
Optical out (3.5mm)
Balanced out (2.5mm)
Output Level:
Unbalanced 1.6 Vrms
Balanced 3.2 Vrms
Output Power:
Unbalanced: RL= 32Ω, Pout = 38mW; RL = 300Ω, Pout = 9mW
Balanced: RL = 32Ω, Pout = 70mW; RL = 300Ω, Pout = 38mW
Frequency Response:
+-0.1dB(20Hz - 20kHz)
S/N 100dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 102dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
THD+N 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balanced
Output Impedance:
0.1Ω
Charging & Data Transfer:
Type-C, 5V 2A (PC & MAC)
PC OS Requirements:
WindowsXP / Windos 7&8(32/64bit)
Mac OSX 10.7 or later
Memory:
Internal: 64GB;
External: Micro SD card (Max. 200GB) x1
Battery:
3,100mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer battery, 10 hours of battery life
Display:
IPS 2.4inch (Sharp LCM)
Operating System:
Linux
Body Material:
CNC machining aluminum, available in Gold/Space Gray
Dimension:
65[W] x 134[H] x 14.5[D] (mm)

For more info, please visit this page:
https://www.questyle.com/language/en/qp2r-en/

Packaging:​

The QP2R comes in a simple yet elegant medium-sized white box with clean and neat printing. The packaging is straightforward, without any fancy or unnecessary details. Inside the box, you will find the following inclusions:

1. QP2R DAP
2. USB cable for charging and transferring files
3. Questyle pouch
4. Paperworks and User Guide
5. Rubber pads for the center button and wheel

And that's all there is to it - pretty basic. However, one caveat I have is that I wish it came with a protective leather case. While some DAPs in the $500 budget range come with such cases, the QP2R was released a few years ago when inclusions were not as generous as they are today. Nonetheless, the absence of a case does not detract from the overall quality and performance of the QP2R.

Physical attributes:​

The QP2R has a medium size that's nearly as large as a smartphone, making it still portable enough to carry in deep pockets. However, tight pockets might not be possible. Now, let me give you a quick tour of its buttons.


Power button and turn off screen on the right side.


play/pause, forward, backward buttons on the left side.


Volume knob at the top.


Center button to execute or confirmation and wheel for navigation.



The faceplate of the QP2R has four buttons - Options, Return, Forward, and Backward. However, they are not physical or embossed buttons, but instead, they are touch-sensitive. It's worth noting that the screen is not a touch screen, which might seem outdated for some users in this day and age. Despite this, I appreciate the purist approach taken by Questyle in sticking to the basics without any frills or fancy features.

At the top with the volume knob, you have two outputs. One is single ended 3.5mm, and a balanced output 2.5mm. At the bottom you have your SD card slot and a type C port.

Features:​

The QP2R takes a purist approach to its features, which makes it pretty basic compared to other DAPs. Navigating the menu and settings is straightforward and intuitive, so even a child could figure it out. I won't go into detail about how to get around the user interface, but if you need help, there are plenty of resources online, including video presentations that can be more helpful than a written guide.

It's worth noting that the QP2R features a BIAS control, which Questyle claims helps handle heavy loads or larger files with ease. However, switching between Standard and High settings didn't seem discernable to me, so I stuck with Standard. I noticed that QP2R heats up more on High, which proves that it's a Class A amplification. After doing some research, I learned that Class A amplification tends to trade-off heat management.



Navigating the Setting menu on the QP2R is a breeze, and the options available are fairly standard among other DAPs in the market. Rather than delving into a tedious explanation of every setting, I'll just point out that the words and options you'll encounter are likely to be familiar. Overall, the menu is intuitive and user-friendly, which should appeal to those who prefer simplicity and ease-of-use over flashy features.

Now let’s get to what matters the most… how does QP2R sound as a dap?

Sound impressions and Technical performance:​

The QP2R boasts a neutral sound signature that is clean, transparent, and impressive in terms of detail. It has a slight emphasis on the midrange, which will appeal to those who prioritize this frequency range. However, the real standout feature of the QP2R is its exceptional technical performance, which we'll discuss in more detail shortly. But first, let's delve deeper into the device's sound.

Let's break down the sound starting with the lows. The bass is well-controlled, with good punch and thud, and is clean and detailed with excellent texture. Bass guitars and drum kicks are well-defined, and the sub-bass region is present when required with fast transients, resulting in some of the cleanest lows one can hear from a source. The attack and decay are fast and snappy, contributing to the overall neutrality of the sound, with almost no discernible boost or elevation for the lows. However, the character of your transducer still rules the sound, but the QP2R remains true to its neutral and flat sound signature.

The QP2R has a slight favor towards the mids. Rather than using words like "lush" or "rich," it accurately delivers faithful and precise sound. To my ears, the mids have a very subtle forwardness. Instruments and vocals are highlighted but not recessed. The AKM DAC chip, which is well known for its mid-range performance, does not disappoint in the QP2R. The tone and timbre are incredibly realistic and do not sound artificial. The mids are definitely the star of the show here.



The treble performance of QP2R is extended with a crisp and transparent character. Although brighter sounding headphones will have a slight boost in treble, it never becomes harsh or piercing. Warmer sounding headphones pair well with the QP2R, providing a natural, musical, and organic sound.

To sum it up, the QP2R strikes a remarkable balance between being analytical and organic in terms of its tonality. This is something that I felt was lacking in Questyle's premium dongle, the M15, which often sounded too clean and analytical, leaving me disconnected from the music. However, the QP2R manages to solve that problem, delivering a sound signature that is both detailed and engaging, making it a joy to listen to.

Now let’s go to the technicalities domain.

The sound stage of Questyle's products largely depends on the capability of your transducers. It's safe to say that sound stage is not their top priority. Having reviewed two of their products, namely the M15 and QP2R, I can hardly discern a significant difference in terms of staging. However, if I were to make a critical comparison, the QP2R has the upper hand in staging. As the saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating," and in this case, the QP2R proves to have a more impressive sound stage.

The imaging of QP2R is impeccable as it accurately positions sounds to the point that I sometimes mistake them for noises behind me. The depth and height are distinct, and the instrument panning precisely mirrors the record or track.

The separation of elements within a song is crystal clear with QP2R, making it a breeze to break down and analyze individual components. As a musician, I find this feature particularly constructive. If you are someone who appreciates attention to detail, I can assure you that QP2R will not disappoint.

The QP2R boasts an incredibly high level of resolution, which exposes imperfections and hidden artifacts in records or tracks that often go unnoticed. Poorly mixed tracks are easily distinguishable, and you can discern well-mastered tracks from mediocre ones. In addition, micro and macro details are brought to the forefront, and I'm still occasionally surprised by previously unheard elements in tracks that I know by heart.

In conclusion, QP2R truly deserves the title of a high-end DAP. It excels in details and flawlessly executes them. Almost everything in terms of technical performance is close to perfection, except for the sound stage. QP2R strikes a desirable balance between tonality and technicalities, making it an ideal choice for discerning audiophiles.

Performance:​

Let's begin with the QP2R's battery life. As a daily listener for 3-4 hours and occasionally more, including an hour-long afternoon nap, I found that the device lasts for over a day before requiring a recharge. This is quite impressive in my opinion, though it ultimately depends on how frequently and for how long you use it. When it's time to recharge, it takes around two hours to reach full battery capacity. Overall, the QP2R's battery performance is commendable.

While the user interface of the QP2R may appear outdated based on my personal preference, I don't mind the classic approach as long as it functions smoothly without significant bugs or glitches. While it would be nice to have a touch screen, some people prefer the purist approach. As someone who typically uses my android phone with a dongle, it took me some time to adjust to the QP2R's UI, but that's just my personal experience.



When it comes to driving power, the QP2R falls a bit short. While my IEMs are not particularly difficult to drive, I find myself reaching a comfortable and satisfying listening level at around 50% of the volume level. Switching to the 2.5mm balanced output didn't make much of a difference in terms of driving power. When I tried using the QP2R with my Audeze Sine headphones, however, I found that it struggled to reach 85% of the volume level and introduced some distortion. If you plan to use this dap with headphones, pairing it with an additional amp is a must. Conclusively, the QP2R is designed as a portable player, intended for use with IEMs and easy-to-drive gear.

I have tested QP2R with various audio formats and it played them all flawlessly without any glitches or interruptions. It handles files as small as 16mb and as large as 150mb with ease. However, I did notice a minor issue when pausing a track - after 10 seconds of pause, there is a clicking sound inside the unit, which I believe is the BIAS control turning off. When you resume playback, there is a slight 1-second delay before the track starts again. Despite this minor setback, QP2R's overall performance remains impressive.

Pairings:​

QP2R is a neutral source that delivers the most authentic and unadulterated sound signature of your transducers. It is compatible with a wide range of gear and produces an honest presentation of their sound. When paired with a neutral pair of IEMs, the sound may come off as too clinical and devoid of warmth, but this ultimately comes down to personal preference. Don't be afraid to experiment with the gear you have on hand to find your perfect sound.

Verdict:​

The QP2R is an impressive TOTL dap, not just because of its price, but also because of its performance. It's a well-balanced dap that excels in both technicalities and sound. The operating system is stable, and I've never experienced any software issues or crashes. Nonetheless, the lack of a touch screen is somewhat, outdated compared to the trend nowadays.

However, the main downside is its lack of power. But let's face it, DAPs are meant to be portable and on the go. If you're after real power, a desktop setup would be your best bet. The QP2R's driving power is still commendable for IEMs but not for full-sized cans or headphones. Their dongle the M15 is a much more adequate option if you intend to drive cans.

If you're a purist, you'll appreciate the classic approach of the QP2R. But if you depend on streaming music, you might want to look elsewhere. This dap is for those who are picky about their hi-res files and want a player that plays their favorite tracks truthfully, with excellent detail, without sounding sterile and boring.

The QP2R has total control over the entire frequency spectrum and accurately executes your tracks as neutrally as possible. It's perfect for neutral heads and maybe even treble heads. Detail freaks will be happy too.

Yes, the price tag is steep, but it's still a solid player that can compete with other daps being released. It's a dedicated player that can handle your hi-res audio files with ease and precision.

Personally, I think Questyle could benefit from releasing a new DAP that incorporates some of the latest technology trends, such as a touchscreen interface. While the QP2R still has its loyal fanbase, it's starting to feel a bit outdated. Perhaps a mid-range option could be the sweet spot for Questyle, as they are known for their exceptional tuning and unique house signature. Alternatively, a DAP powered by R2R could be a game-changer for them. Regardless, Questyle is an audio boutique that commands respect and recognition. They have already proven their ability to turn heads with the M15 dongle, and venturing into the budget segment could be another smart move for them.

Lastly, I want to say thanks to Questyle for sending this over and giving me the chance to review one of their high-end daps.

That's a wrap and catch you on the next one! Enjoy the music more than the gears!

PRICE: $1,099​

TONALITY: 9.2/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.8/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9.2/10
SOUND VALUE
-1400$ msrp: 7.5/10
-700$ price drop: 8.8/10

This is just a mini written review to complement my 1 hour long video review.

CONSTRUCTION


Pristine craftmanship that impress both the eyes and they hands, since its a very handy device that fit well in the pocket and have plenty of diversify buton control for flexible interface choice. You can change track and pause blindly in your pocket and the nice volume know metal protector avoid unwanted volume turning. Yet, this know is quite sensitive so sometime i turn volume but it can swing backward, hard to explain but its a nit picking that rarely happen...surely due to my oversized thumbs! Body is all metal with front and back made of hard glass. It seem sturdy and isn't easy to scratch. Nothing feel loose or badly built, i can't fault anything in term of construction quality, even in smalles details.

No touch screen, but interface have short cut to go back to main menu, which is appreciated. The rolling wheel for control is slippy but you can add rubber sticker which are included. Yet, i dont really like using the wheel which lack a bit of precision and isn't really needed for a minimalist UI like this.
You can custom the setting as well as background pics, their alot of settings option (you can see it in video).

SOUND IMPRESSIONS


I can't say this is exactly a neutral sounding DAP, its colored to sound natural and full, by magnifying timbre density which is lush, colorful and rich in nuance.

QP2R deliver an enveloping intimate musicality that doesn't sound clinical or overly analytical, nor too warm due to decent transparency and layering.

Bass and mid range take center of the show, while treble take back seat but never feel lacking apart perhaps in above 10khz sections which isn't very airy or sparkly. This isn't an edgy sound DAP at all, its creamy, smooth, thick yet very well articulate in dynamic, which sit between mellow and weighty.
QP2R sound dynamic even at low volume, in the sens, we have a slight mid bass boost that warm thicken bass impact and can result in incredible bass quality, vibrant in rumble and beefy in body without sounding unbalanced at all. This tend to add meat to bass more than extra impact, while not taming the impact of a bassy IEM like ISN H40 or Ikko OH10.
Vocal are highly addictive too, since they dont have scooped low harmonic its full bodied and not overly forced in texture, yet very natural, not dark at all. Violin and piano tone is excellent too, in fact, this is an extremely versatile DAP when it come to differetn music genre, which a too warm or bright DAP wouldnt be.

Only complaint i would have is that it doesn't sound very open and airy. This affect imaging sharp accuracy a bit, which is more about compressed sound layers to dive in.

This is the type of DAP that smoothen high frequencies of your IEMs without stoling its dynamic energy.
It most be noted that it's not the most powerful DAP, while for 99% of my IEMs this isn't an issue, i think it could be for IEMs like Final E5000 or planar headphones, since while my Hifiman Sundara sound very decent, it need to be a max volume and well, i was impress there no distortion in bass but sound was too compressed and thick, once i use line out, i heard what the AK4490 DAC was capable off....so, don't shy up about using digital out, the result will certainly blown your mind, depending of amp used i mean. Yet, clarity is cleaner, more transparent and treble is more airy sparkly.

CONCLUSION

If it wasn't for battery life issue, this DAP would certainly be my favorite one when it come to IEMs use. The QP2R is all about natural tone and lush musicality that hook you with a sens of proximity with your fav instruments should it be cello or contrabass for bass, vocal or piano for mids or violin and guitar for highs, its all there, fully restitute in all their colorful glory.
And let me tell you that it sure worth the buy if you find it at 700$ and like me, don't care about bluetooth and wifi since you want to be all alone with you cabled music.
Again, i wanna thanks Questyle for this review sample. You can give a look to this detailed video for more insight about features, UI, construction and sound impressions. It include a comparisons against Tempotec V6 and Questyle M15 too!

Hi everyone,

It is such a blessing to be here on Head-Fi to briefly share my thoughts on the QP2R, especially when comparing it to the QP1R, and sharing my opinion(s) if I believe the QP2R is worth it over the QP1R.

Disclaimer: I received the QP2R for free for exchange of my thoughts about the product.

The QP2R utilizes one Micro SD card slot so the player can accommodate the Balanced connection. Purchasing as large of storage capacity card as possible shouldn't be too big of a sacrifice of the second Micro SD card slot the QP1R utilizes. Also, the internal memory of the QP2R is 64GB as opposed to the QP1R's 32GB.

The QP2R charges via USB-C, which means very fast charging (charges in at least half the time it would take to fully charge the QP1R via Micro USB).

Adding and deleting tracks to the QP2R are the same as the QP1R (just like a USB thumb/hard/SSD drive).

Navigation is a bit easier with the QP2R, and I personally keep my player on High Bias and High Gain for best results. I usually don't listen to very sensitive IEMs with the QP2R such as the Andromeda (even though it sounds heavenly when it's Balanced) - however, most headphones are powered with plenty of aplomb, especially Balanced. More about power and power comparison(s) later.

Make sure to take care of the Questyle players, keeping them in the 1st party or 3rd party cases, and try your best to never drop them.

The build of the QP2R is similar to the QP1R, with an extra Balanced port, one less Micro SD port, and a USB-C port replacing the QP1R's Micro USB port. The wheel and buttons of the QP2R are very similar to the wheel and buttons of the QP1R. The Gorilla Glass of both the QP1R and QP2R are quite the looker.

I'm currently using a QP2R Dignis black leather case that came from Final Audio - make sure to inquire with either Dignis and/or Final Audio to obtain that particular case.

With regard to UI Navigation, the QP1R shows:

Now Playing
Favorites
Play by Category > Songs, Album, Artist, Genre, Playlists
Browse Files
Play Settings
System Setting

The QP2R shows:
Playing
Category > Track, Artist, Album, Genre, DSD
Playlists > Favorites
Browse Files > Internal memory, TF card
Settings

QP2R navigation: Going into "Genre" will take you to a song/track list, just like the QP1R.

The sound of the QP2R is very good, better than most DAPs, aside from the QP1R - in SE mode.

I paired the QP2R with a couple of the latest headphones in my stable: the Massdrop X HIFIMAN HE-35X and the Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO.

Here's my brief thoughts of the Massdrop X HIFIMAN HE-35X:

Massdrop is rolling out a new pricing structure. Paraphrasing from Mr. Fernandez: "We are doing this to reward members that support products early by giving them a price break before a product goes into store.

For the HE-35X the product is available at a special launch price until April 18 or until the first 750 are sold.

We want folks to know about this new pricing plan which will apply to future Massdrop Made headphones."

Here is the link that talks a bit more about the pricing:
https://www.massdrop.com/talk/22088/new-massdrop-made-launch-pricing

With regards to my thoughts about the HE-35X, it is everything you would want, and then some.
Compared to the original HE350, the HE-35X has more palpable bass, at around +5db to my ears. The upper bass and subbass is a bit more visceral than the HE350 with modifications such as the paper towel mod and Brainwavz Angled Pads (BAP). Smoother rumbling than the mods, with comforting touches to your head as the tracks play on.

The HE-35X has a toned down midrange compared to the HE-350, and is buttery smooth.

In the HE350 review, I stated "treble may sound bright to very bright"; the HE-35X has treble that is smoothed and as a result, a joy to listen.

Soundstage isn't as expansive as the HE350, but having a bit more lower register, with a smoother midrange and treble is a good compromise to embody, in my opinion.

With regards to headphone comfort, the HE-35X feels as good on the head as the HE350 with modifications.

The total presentation is that of an upgrade of the original HE350, the result of the reviews and owners' feedback.

The HE-35X is a audiophile value if you choose to purchase the headphone.

One of my current favorite pairings is the Questyle Audio QP2R with the MASSDROP X BEYERDYNAMIC DT 177X GO (I'll call it the DT 177X GO from now on). You are able to listen to the headphone Balanced, but I didn't try it out yet - hopefully I can borrow a mini 4-pin XLR Balanced cable to try it out with the QP2R in the near future. My thoughts are about SE, not Balanced (to think the audio may sound more amazing Balanced!) The sound of the DT 177X GO is what I would like to call musically neutral. The entire spectrum is very clear and holographic. Not a lower midrange and bass/subbass presentation such as the TH-X00 series, but a champion when it comes to immense clarity and neutrality. The comfort of the headphone is very comfortable as well - the velour pads are soft to the touch and feel like an ear massage acoustically and physically. This is a headphone that can easily be used for mastering, or listened to while relaxing with your favorite beverage of choice.

My sister's husband Christian (XAVR), who is a singer/songwriter, and uses mastering headphones offers these thoughts:

"Sounds very good. Has a flat sound, and gets really loud. I really like the shell - it seems like it makes the audio sound better. I like the velour pads more because they attribute to a warmer sound."

This collaboration headphone marks a point where a neutral-based headphone can sound amazing to the ears and feel great as well. For those that have tried it to really enjoy the collaborative headphone is awesome, in my opinion.

Here's my thoughts about the DT 177X GO:

The bass is not overbearing in the least, and is nice and controlled. No huge spikes or dips in the subbass and midbass areas to my ears, but just enough for you to be adequately satisfied.

The midrange is clean, almost sterile, yet musical in its own right.

The treble is methodic, and not sibilant. The upper midrange into the treble may be the star(s) of the show, where you may not be searching for a thumping subwoofer feeling, but yearning for a sweet, clinical mid to upper register. The DT 177X GO delivers this and a whole lot more, in my opinion.

The soundstage and detail are very good, especially emitting through a closed back headphone.

The DT 177X GO is an excellent buy if you are searching for a true content headphone.

Where the QP2R really shines is Balanced. You've got more power, overall clarity, separation, and detail when it comes to Balanced of the QP2R compared to the SE of the QP1R and QP2R. If you are seeking overall sound quality, go for the QP2R Balanced, but if you want a bit better sound quality SE, go for the QP1R.

Which brings me to the main question: Is the QP2R worth it over the QP1R? I would unequivocally say yes. Main reasons:

The QP2R overall sounds better than the QP1R. The QP1R is currently going for $749 while the QP2R is currently $999. The around $150 price difference is worth it for the increase of overall power, better UI navigation and better sound quality in comparison to the QP1R. You can purchase both from T.H.E. Source AV, or Moon Audio.

QP2R specifications:
Audio Formats Supported:
WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, APE(Normal/High/Fast)
Sample Rate:
PCM 32kHz - 384kHz (16/24/32Bit)
DSD Native: DSD64 (1Bit 2.8MHz)
DSD128(1Bit 5.6MHz), DSD256(1Bit 11.2MHz)
DAC:
AKM AK4490 DAC chip
Outputs:
Headphone out (3.5mm)
Optical out (3.5mm)
Balanced out (2.5mm)
Output Level:
Unbalanced 1.6 Vrms
Balanced 3.2 Vrms
Output Power:
Unbalanced: RL= 32Ω, Pout = 38mW; RL = 300Ω, Pout = 9mW
Balanced: RL = 32Ω, Pout = 70mW; RL = 300Ω, Pout = 38mW
Frequency Response:
+-0.1dB(20Hz - 20kHz)
S/N 100dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 102dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
THD+N 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balanced
Output Impedance:
0.1Ω
Charging & Data Transfer:
Type-C, 5V 2A (PC & MAC)
PC OS Requirements:
WindowsXP / Windos 7&8(32/64bit)
Mac OSX 10.7 or later
Memory:
Internal: 64GB;
External: Micro SD card (Max. 200GB) x1
Battery:
3,100mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer battery, 10 hours of battery life
Display:
IPS 2.4inch (Sharp LCM)
Operating System:
Linux
Body Material:
CNC machining aluminum, available in Gold/Space Gray
Dimension:
65[W] x 134[H] x 14.5[D] (mm)