QLS QA361 impression thread

[bahamot]

1500USD is way out of my audio budget. It actually save my wallet. Lol.

 

[Dobrescu George]

That looks pretty interesting to me actually

Curious about it now lol

 

[audionewbi]

He set the goal to July, so much sooner than we think.

 

[fzman]

I love my 361-have said that before. So, I am curious. For those of you that have the 361, what DAP, if any, would you rate as significantly better sonically? I'd also be curious what kind of music you listen to. Features and price are not my main consideration here- is there something I should check out

 

[audionewbi]

I love my 361-have said that before. So, I am curious. For those of you that have the 361, what DAP, if any, would you rate as significantly better sonically? I'd also be curious what kind of music you listen to. Features and price are not my main consideration here- is there something I should check out

No doubt sonically with the right gear, r2r2k.
But it is has buzzing issues so be aware.

 

[Dobrescu George]

He set the goal to July, so much sooner than we think.

Awesome, I thionk QLS is making some nifty Audio with their players.

No doubt sonically with the right gear, r2r2k.
But it is has buzzing issues so be aware.

Buzin issues? What are those?

I love my 361-have said that before. So, I am curious. For those of you that have the 361, what DAP, if any, would you rate as significantly better sonically? I'd also be curious what kind of music you listen to. Features and price are not my main consideration here- is there something I should check out

You can check out my test playlist here: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/64555551-ec3c-4279-ae44-248fdfcf6c4b

As for significantly better sonically, I am not sure. Stuff can still be better, but significantly so, I am not quite sure. We are already in the flagship range sonically.

I think that Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ can be significantly better, but it is also significantly more expensive and not a portable.

Besides R2R2K, I would suggest to keep an eye on FiiO's flagship M series DAP, and iBasso DX220.

 

[Mampus]

This is quite out of topic, but I think I’ll share my stories here.

I have auditioned some QLS product in the past (350, 550), and while I can only say good thing about those two (I listened that two while in audio meet and greet), I still can’t describe too much about it.

Long story short, I get a chance to bring the 2nd hand QA-660 unit to my home for extensive listening.

Boy oh boy, color me... not impressed at first. While it does sound better than my PC via optical to my DAC, it does sound... too mellow that makes me want to sleep. Laidback, not offensive, very good separation, great low to high extension, nice bodied but not too thick sounding, soundstage is very good too. Quite a sound, I might add..

The next day is what I can describe is the ‘click’ moment with this transport. While I admit this thing is still ‘go to bed early’ type of sound, I can’t help but notice how this thing manages detail, speed, and transient very well. It’s obviously not ‘in your face’ detail, and fast double pedal get treated nicely, with relaxed yet engaging at the same time.

How QLS achieve that kind of sound is beyond me...

How this thing can sound laidback yet so detailed (and I can easily listen to that detail without squinting my eyes) at the same time?

How this thing can make band like Darkest Hour just flows like water, and not ‘scrambled’ like mess?

...and, when we look at the price tag, I think both of our lips will get separated even further...

Kudos to QLS (Quloos), I don’t have much to say, except that I miss my home and want to listen to this thing again...

 

[audionewbi]

yes, it is a sound that isn't in your face.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I have posted my video review of QA 361 in youtube. Written article coming along soon!

 

[gazzington]

How does this compare to dethonray?

 

[audionewbi]

Quloos is a well established brand dating well over a decade, Dethonray, as its stands is an unknown brand.

 

[Dobrescu George]

How does this compare to dethonray?

Before you posted this question, I have never heard of dethonray. Also, given the price, I'd imagine QA361 beats it well.

QA361 compares with Sony 1z, DX200, and X7mkii in terms of sonics, it sounds like, outstanding, it isn't just a Chinese DAP, but one of the best sounding out there

 

[gazzington]

Before you posted this question, I have never heard of dethonray. Also, given the price, I'd imagine QA361 beats it well.

QA361 compares with Sony 1z, DX200, and X7mkii in terms of sonics, it sounds like, outstanding, it isn't just a Chinese DAP, but one of the best sounding out there

How well does it compare to wm1z?

 

[Dobrescu George]

How well does it compare to wm1z?

QA361 has way more driving power than 1Z, 1Z is considerably warmer and more smooth, where QA361 isn't quite that smooth, but rather is more resolving, although QA361 strikes me as a touch softer than 1Z

Smooth means flowing, but sacrifices some details, 1Z is kinda like that, where QA361 is extremely resolving, but a touch soft, which works really well with pretty much every single headphone I tried it with. QA361 has all the details, but doesn't force them onto the listener.

 

[fzman]

Hey All! Just had an awesome morning on my back porch, sitting in the sun nursing a sore throat and bad congestion. Decided to try to drive my Meze Empyreans with Nordost Heimdall 2 headphone cable, with my 361--it drove the cr*p out of them! It sounded quite good too. No clipping or compression, but did not try super-loud levels. I really enjoyed it immensely. It was set on low gain, high current, btw.

Also did some internal damping inside the 361 with Marigo damping dots. They take too long to install to get a quick A-B, and I am not going to remove them and try again! They added some clarity, control, and a natural ease to the sound-I swear I am not crazy. I'm thinking about attempting the same on other players, once I get more of the dots....

And so it continues.