Mid-tier Android DAP vs Smartphone + Qudelix 5K

[Alex34]

So, I'm in a dilemma...

I currently have an older smartphone (Samsung Note 9) which I use with a Qudelix 5K Dac/Amp for my musical audio, mainly Tidal. The phone is old and is starting to get to the point where it's buggy and somewhat unpleasant to use. I've held unto it for so long, partly because I can't stand to spend £1200 - £1300 on another flagship phone, and partially because most new phones don't have 3.5mm jacks and sd card slots.

Unfortunately, I'm now facing the fact that I need to upgrade my phone. My choices (as I currently see it) are either, get a cheap phone and a DAP, or get a new flagship phone and continue using my 5K with it.

With these two options, there are obviously pros and cons that only I can decipher for myself. But regarding audio quality only, would there be much difference between smartphone + Qudelix 5K vs a DAP like the Shanling M3 Ultra or Hiby R6 iii ? The "flagship smartphones" I'm considering are the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 VI.

I like the Q5K but there are some cons for me. 1) it's battery life, 2) it's size. The size is a double edge sword, it's small so it fits everywhere but it's so small that I'm afraid of losing it. So I end up carrying it around in a case that is roughly the size of a DAP.

The IEMs that I will be mainly driving are the ZiiGaat Doscinco.

Any additional advice is also welcome. TIA.

 

[JimiMack]

Most of us have come across this same dilemma and there is no real right answer we could give as it all comes down to you and where are will and not give a little. My opinion, these days most Mid-tier phones are a lot better than they used to be and will be leaps and bounds improvement compared to the Note 9. In that case, I could suggest grabbing a nice mid-tier and most do come with SD card support, this will save money compared to the S24 Ultra... a lot, but you may need to replace it in 3 or so years, maybe 4 as long as you keep your phones. This will allow you to still use the Qudelix if you like but it would give you the freedom to also pick up a DAP. Something like your Hiby R6-2 and I can suggest say the Hiby R4 which is close to half the cost of the R6 and very close in specs. All of this would then give you more money in your pocket and the option to go with both the Qudelix and a DAP. This is of course if you are willing to go with a mid-tier phone, unless you need to have flagship. The DAP will give you more driving power and will free up your phone, sound wise I prefer my Daps over all by Bluetooth DAC Amps.

 

[BOTAK WAI]

how about samsung s24 fe + hiby r4?

 

[Alex34]

Most of us have come across this same dilemma and there is no real right answer we could give as it all comes down to you and where are will and not give a little. My opinion, these days most Mid-tier phones are a lot better than they used to be and will be leaps and bounds improvement compared to the Note 9. In that case, I could suggest grabbing a nice mid-tier and most do come with SD card support, this will save money compared to the S24 Ultra... a lot, but you may need to replace it in 3 or so years, maybe 4 as long as you keep your phones. This will allow you to still use the Qudelix if you like but it would give you the freedom to also pick up a DAP. Something like your Hiby R6-2 and I can suggest say the Hiby R4 which is close to half the cost of the R6 and very close in specs. All of this would then give you more money in your pocket and the option to go with both the Qudelix and a DAP. This is of course if you are willing to go with a mid-tier phone, unless you need to have flagship. The DAP will give you more driving power and will free up your phone, sound wise I prefer my Daps over all by Bluetooth DAC Amps.

Thanks for the advice. This all makes sense and is what I was asking really.

So it makes more sense to have a cheaper phone and a DAP, as flagship phones + the Q5K won't be able to compare to a stand alone DAP?

Will have a look at the Hiby R4 as well.

 

[nioh]

In the end it all comes down to convenience. Are you comfortable carrying a phone and a DAP in your pockets ? At least it frees up the phone in case you get a call or text etc.

Keep in mind that you need offline storage for your songs because while on the move a DAP still needs WiFi. While you could tether WiFi from your phone to the DAP, this will drain the phone.

My least preferred solution is wired dongles as they are messy. A phone + dongle + usb cable + headphone cable from the dongle. If you need to use your phone, not so convenient.

This brings me to my favorite solution for on-the-go, a high quality Bluetooth dongle. Phone is free of wires. You don’t need WiFi for the dongle. A tiny dongle fits easily into the pockets and so you don’t have to think twice before going out whether to carry it or not.

I bought the A&K Activo P1 to replace dongles with a DAP but it has its own issues. I’ve hardly used it so far and it’s still much larger than any dongle and it needs WiFi for streaming else you are stuck with playing only your offline songs.

TLDR; The best portable dongle/DAP is not the one that sounds best but rather one that you can carry with you and use it.

 

[AnamCeoil]

FWIW, I just recently got my first DAP- a second hand Hiby R5 Gen ii - and to my ears it runs rings around my Qudelix in terms of musicality, and sheer driving enjoyment. I love my phone (a Pixel 6A, which has been my best mobile phone purchase ever!) and Qudelix when OTG, and it is my default for those settings...but when I am sitting somewhere public, and not walking about, my phone/laptop+ dongle is a far better musical experience. The DAP offers the same level of musical experience (based on my listening to date) as the dongles in a far more convenient form factor and is becoming my portable default.

We're really spoiled for choice in recent years...and I hope whatever route you go it brings you much musical enjoyment OP!

 

[Alex34]

After thinking about it for a while, I thought it better to just upgrade my phone and continue using my Qudelix 5K. I really enjoy the sound quality I get from it. And I think it makes more sense than walking around with two phone sized devices.

So I bought a new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The phone is absolutely gorgeous and feels great in my hand, however, the sound quality, compared to my Note 9, is horrible. I can't understand how the sound can be worse if it's still being played via the 5K? Shouldn't it sound identical as the Note 9? I'm streaming music from Tidal and all the settings are the same.

I've A/B tested them via USB.