[gadus]

A new and intriguing product for qls, the Chinese company that has already released several extremely successful products, with a minimalistic approach in terms of user interface (no Android, WiFi and large screen) and a lot of technology in terms of amplification, power supply and audio quality with a focus on excellent sound and not on features,The company's products (that I know) are characterized by a very neutral and detailed sound with a very large stage and a completely silent black background,According to the company, mbu 1 is better in several sound quality parameters than qa361, which is interesting because the 361 is a player with amazing sound

MUB1 Portable HiFi USB and Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp
Battery local pure power supply | 1100mW/ch high output power
Optional Super-high gain | NDCS shielding | Wurth inductor
Panasonic electrolytic capacitor | Femtosecond crystal | BUF634*4 output

Music listening, enjoyable and practical.​

　

Listening impressions from Clark: MUB1’s general sound design is consistent with QA361 and QA390LE. With high sound density and a strong sense of structure, this music is warm, sensitive, steady, and long-lasting to listen to. It has excellent hierarchical details and vertical spatial feeling.

The PCB area and power supply of MUB1’s DAC&headphone amplifier section are greater than those of QA361 since it lacks a player part. MUB1 is an inch long and an inch strong, and it has a few advantages over QA361 in terms of sound quality. These advantages include a larger sound field, a more complete sound structure, a sound that is softer and more durable to listen to, greater sound dynamics, and more solid mid- to low-frequency reproduction.

How could such lovely and sweet music not make you feel something? Therefore, I believe that each enthusiast needs at least one MUB1.

　

Main design highlights​

　

1100mW@32 Ω high power, more leisurely​

Super-High Gain 4-speed gain selection​

CS43131*4 better sound quality​

BUF634*4 Amps big lineup​

2500mAH, pure and abundant local power supply​

Stable and non-interference NDCS shielding design​

Wurth inductor with a spacious and full sound​

Panasonic electrolytic capacitor with a good music atmosphere​

Selected femtosecond crystal oscillator with nominal jitter of 150fs​

HiFi architecture​

Powerful power supply system with 14 independent power sources​

24Bit / 96kHz high-definition Bluetooth/tr>​

Bluetooth specially optimized for abundant sound information​

PCM 32Bit / 384kHz​

DSD256​

mode​

Lower distortion 0.0001%/tr>​

Signal to noise ratio 132dB​

Dynamic range 132dB​

Noise almost “0”​

4.4mm, 3.5mm headphone output & line output​

optical & coaxial output​

4.4 headphone socket​

Separation of charging and data (external power supply accessible)​

Start with the car ignition in CAR mode​

compatibility​

6-layer circuit board for digital analog separation​

Note: A patent application of FiiO has been submitted for the CAR mode, and FiiO has permission to utilize the CAR mode of this product.

　

Five major application scenarios​

　

24Bit 96K high-definition Bluetooth
Receive mobile streaming input without bundling for convenient and good enough sound​

　

Mobile phone connection DAC&Headphone amplifier
Pure and abundant local battery power supply
No anxiety of phone battery with excellent sound​

　

Office desktop PC-HiFi
Desktop small DAC and Headphone amplifier all-in-one machine
Act discrete enough without discrete voice​

　

Car HiFi audio source
Coaxial / optical input to DSP, or AUX to host
CAR mode with good sound, more convenient​

　

Home speaker system
Expand high sound quality mobile streaming input function
Simple enough, practical enough, and good sound enough​

　

Three keys to good sound in MUB1​

　

2.75 times the power of QA361 dual high mode​

　

Sufficient power margin
The sound is more easy and adaptable
MUB1 balance port output power up to 1100mW/ch
It is much greater than the output power of many flagship players
Put fine timber to petty use

　

Super-Hign gain is 3-4 times voltage amplification with high gain​

　

Modern machines pursue testing parameters
The sound gets more flat and ordinary as the gain drops
MUB1 returns to traditional old machines with over 10 times voltage amplification
Outstanding musical taste causes listeners to unconsciously dance to the music
Realistic visuals set to vibrant, exuberant music that seems just out of reach

　

HiFi performance needs to be ensured by the materials used​

　

Use desktop HiFi materials
Make MUB1 sound more like a real HiFi device
Audio electrolytic capacitors are rarely used in portable goods.
Panasonic electrolytic capacitor with rare sound dense sense of space
The BUF634 provides a more scaled sound
Low internal resistance Wurth inductor with stable and atmospheric sound

　

Sound created by power supply​

　

Design of a power supply that is broadband, low noise, high transient, and low in internal resistance
Up to 14 power sources provide independent power supply for each circuit part, ensuring purity and stability
This battery cable is combination of HiFi wires using different materials, resulting in a noble sound.
Analog power supply voltage of up to 16V at Super-high gain, with sound more open.
Design of a low noise power supply with analog and digital separation, achieving seamless sound

　

Oscillator is the soul of sound​

　

MUB1 selected femtosecond crystal oscillator
High precision, with a nominal jitter of only 150fs
Good crystal oscillator with stable sound

Measurement based on APX555 audio analyzer​

　

Sound quality on Bluetooth is already adequate​

　

Bluetooth 5.0, CSR 8675 optimization module with good sound
Supports 24Bit/96kHz high-definition Bluetooth
Specially optimized Bluetooth overall design
The information content and sound density are already very close to USB connections
NDCS dead corner free circuit shielding technology
Stable connection without interference, pleasant to listen to, and better to use
​

　

USB DAC&Headphone amp with full platform support​

　

Support 32Bit / 384kHz, DSD256
Android, iPhone, and tablet ready to use
Local batteries are pure and plentiful. the sound quality is higher
ASIO driver, compact PC HiFi all-in-one machine for Windows desktop
Act discrete enough without discrete voice
UAC2.0, Linux, MacOS drive free,
The USB OTG output of HiFi player can also be used
Support UAC1.0
​

　

CAR mode that simplifies car audio upgrades​

　

MUB1 has optical and coaxial outputs, and Line out can also be set
One line connection to the car audio DSP is sufficient, simple and convenient
Connect to the host Aux in through level setting Aux out
Both Apple and Android phones can increase the volume on the phones, making it more convenient
In CAR mode, following USB power to automatically switch on and off, more worry free
​

　

Four Cirrus Logic flagship DAC chips​

　

Start liking Cirrus Logic DAC due to the good sound quality of CS4398
It has the uncommon natural, enjoyable, and smooth sound of a contemporary DAC
The new generation CS43198 and 43131 have better designs
The sound is more precise and realistic thanks to the special NOS option.
Using 4 CS43131, eight channel DAC designed as two channels
Each four channel DAC is for providing more detailed and louder sound

MUB1 overall distortion is better than the theoretical value of DAC chips

Flagship level dynamics​

　

Compared to the USD $2000 flagship HiFi player, it is not inferior

Measurement based on APX555 audio analyzer​

　

Almost “zero” noise​

　

MUB1, whether single ended or balanced, the medium and low gain noise <2uVrms
50% of 4uVrms noise at low gain only for QA361
The signal-to-noise ratio is as high as 132dB
High sensitivity headphones also struggle to hear background noise

　

Key Interface Description​

　

　

​

A​	Display area
B​	Power button: Long press to turn on/off, short press to turn off/wake up the display screen
C​	Volume +: Short press to increase the volume by 1, long press to continuously increase the volume by 1
D​	Volume -: Short press to decrease the volume by 1, long press to continuously decrease the volume by 1
E​	setting key (M): Short press to enter the setting interface, long press to pause/play, short press to connect/hang up when calling, long press to reject
F​	Previous track (↑): Switch to playing the previous track and adjust the parameters upwards when setting the interface
G​	Next track (↓): Switch to playing the next track; Adjust parameters downwards when setting the interface
H​	Digital audio output port: 3.5 optical and 3.5 coaxial (pin definition is shown in the figure below)
I​	Type-C charging or external power input port
J​	Type-C audio OTG input port
K​	Microphone pickup hole
L​	4.4 balanced headphone port, also used as a balanced LO port
M​	3.5 single ended headphone port, doubles as LO/AUX output port

　

Description of 3.5 coaxial line foot position​

　

Signal / Signal + GND / Signal -
　

Product parameters​

　

​

Item / model​	Balance port​	Single port​
Body size​	96*65*14.5mm (L * W * H)​
Host weight​	142g​
Input interface​	Type-C USB data, Type-C USB power supply&charging, wireless Bluetooth​
Bluetooth format​	Bluetooth 5.0, LDAC, APTX, APTX-HD, ACC, SBC​
USB protocol​	UAC2.0 protocol / UAC1.0 protocol, supporting Windows, Mac, Android, iOS systems​
USB port DSD sampling rate​	2.8224MHz (DSD64), 5.6448MHz (DSD128), 11.2896MHz (DSD256), Native or DoP​
USB port PCM sampling rate​	16Bit ~ 32Bit, 44.1kHz ~ 384kHz​
Output interface​	3.5 single ended & 4.4 balanced headphones (can be set to Line out/Aux out), 3.5 optical or coaxial SPDIF digital output​
Optical/ coaxial output​	16Bit ~ 24Bit, 44.1kHz ~ 192kHz PCM, DoP64​
DAC chip​	CS43131 * 4 pieces, QFN large package​
OP​	Selected 2 OP* pieces with excellent texture and musical appeal​
Headphone amplifier chip​	BUF634A * 4​
Gain control​	Low / Mid / High / Super-High​
Volume control​	This device has a volume level of 100, which can be independently adjusted from the phone volume​
Frequency response​	20Hz ~ 20kHz ±0.5db​
THD+N (AES17 (20kHz), A-weighted, unloaded, medium gain)​	0.0001%​	0.00015%​
SINAD (AES17 (20kHz), unweighted, unloaded, medium gain)​	120db​	116db​
SNR (A-weighted, medium gain)​	132db​	126db​
Dynamic range (A-weighted, medium gain)​	132db​	124db​
Crosstalk (unloaded, medium gain)​	-140db​	-137db​
Crosstalk (32Ω, medium gain)​	-95db​	-73db​
Output power (THD+N<0.01%, S-gain)​	1100mW + 1100mW @32Ω​	410mW + 410mW @32Ω​
250mW + 250mW @300Ω​	65mW + 65mW @300Ω​
Noise floor (A-weighted)​	1.2uVrms @G = L​	1.8uVrms @G = L​
1.2uVrms @G = M​	1.8uVrms @G = M​
2.5uVrms @G = H​	2.5uVrms @G = H​
8.3uVrms @G = S​	5.8uVrms @G = S​
Reference: High sensitivity headphones are also difficult to hear to the noise floor. When QA361 has low gain, the noise floor is 4uV.​
Battery life​	8~10 hours​
Charging time​	2~3 hours​
Charger​	Type-C charger (user provided), DC 5V, ≥2A​
External power input​	Input from charging port Type-C, DC 5V, ≥2A​
Microphone function​	Support Bluetooth calls with built-in omnidirectional microphone​

Note: The above audio parameter measurements are based on the APX555 audio analyzer, with the internal battery fully charged and F0 filtering mode, tested in the qianlongsheng Laboratory environment.

　

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[harishl20]

Glad someone started a dedicated thread for this device. There are few head-fiers who already have this device. Waiting for impressions.

 

[VisalEziomi]

I'm waiting to see comparison between Quloos MUB1, Questyle Portable CMA18 and Xudoo Xd05 Pro. It's around price bracket.

 

[LinstantX]

A very interesting thing. As far as features go, it's a great device. Looking forward to more reviews and comparisons soon.

 

[Cabbages]

I haven't spent much time listening to it, but no glaring issues there. The build quality on it however is stunning - its super well finished, the quality of the screen is pretty good and sharp aswell. Comparing it to the CMA18 would be interesting as they are very similar in size and portability. The XD05 Pro on the otherhand is huge!

 

[harishl20]

I haven't spent much time listening to it, but no glaring issues there. The build quality on it however is stunning - its super well finished, the quality of the screen is pretty good and sharp aswell. Comparing it to the CMA18 would be interesting as they are very similar in size and portability. The XD05 Pro on the otherhand is huge!

Waiting for first impressions. CMA18 looks to be on different level but lets see how that pans out. As much as features it got the sheer size of the XD05 pro scares me lol.

 

[gadus]

I expect it to be better than its price, from my experience with qa361 it is a decent competitor with more expensive players just without an elaborate user interface and a good screen, etc.
But his sound is wonderful for neutral fans,
They write that the mub is better in terms of sound and that it will be softer,
interesting.

 

[LoneFurrow]

I'm waiting to see comparison between Quloos MUB1, Questyle Portable CMA18 and Xudoo Xd05 Pro. It's around price bracket.

I compared the XD05 Pro and MUB1 (along with some other options) here - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/xduoo-xd05pro.964620/page-26#post-17703159

MUB1 lists at $499, XD05 Pro at $799 so it depends on your view of price brackets. Portability is obviously massively different, and sound signature is quite different too. Happy to share more impressions as I have both at present. The XD05 Pro is only on loan though.

 

[gadus]

I compared the XD05 Pro and MUB1 (along with some other options) here - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/xduoo-xd05pro.964620/page-26#post-17703159

MUB1 lists at $499, XD05 Pro at $799 so it depends on your view of price brackets. Portability is obviously massively different, and sound signature is quite different too. Happy to share more impressions as I have both at present. The XD05 Pro is only on loan though.

thanks for sharing,
How is mub in terms of stage and resolution?

 

[LinstantX]

It is also interesting to compare MUB1 with QA361.

 

[LoneFurrow]

thanks for sharing,
How is mub in terms of stage and resolution?

I guess it depends with what you're comparing. Stage is reasonably wide and deep - not the widest I've heard but it sounds quite natural in terms of overall presentation. It's a very musical player with a warmer than neutral character. Bear this in mind when pairing with different IEMs or headphones.

Detail retrieval and resolution are again good but I don't think you'll extract the very last degree of detail from a recording. You could listen to it for hours without becoming fatigued and it seems to pair well with everything I've tried.

As a caveat, I was just comparing to a modded HiBy RS6, which is a *significantly* more expensive proposition.

 

[Ckro]

Just ordered the MUB1, will be able to compare to big brother 390 and Ibasso DX300.
Maybe also from memory to QA361 that I really enjoyed for a while.

 

[LoneFurrow]

Just ordered the MUB1, will be able to compare to big brother 390 and Ibasso DX300.
Maybe also from memory to QA361 that I really enjoyed for a while.

Great stuff. I'll be very interested in both those comparisons (QA390 and DX300). Hope you enjoy the MUB1.

 

[galushsen]

Just ordered the MUB1, will be able to compare to big brother 390 and Ibasso DX300.
Maybe also from memory to QA361 that I really enjoyed for a while.

The same for me, I’m waiting for delivery and going to compare MUB1 with Hiby r5 Saber and Hiby rs2, similar size devices.

By the way, I saw MUB1 for less than 400usd on Aliexpress.

 

[Ckro]

Yeah, actually I was sold on a few gimmicks with the MUB1 vs. Questyle MA18 for example:
- double USB C ports to charge and use the DAC at the same time
- integrated mic port, seems useless but I actually use it very often on my BTR7
- physical buttons to change tracks (only for bluetooth I guess) - this can be so convenient on the go !
- price

At last, I use Genelecs at home, so want to recreate this :