It needs recharging. Depending on what type of files you're playing, the gain setting and the bias mode, battery life is anywhere between 5 and 10 hours. The QP2R doesn't charge and play at the same time, so even if you have the charger connected, it'll only play from the battery. If you intend setting the player aside to burn-in for 200 hours, that'll be an arduous task because a full recharge takes about 5 hours and you'll need to do that a couple of dozen times ...
And you'll certainly put a s**tload of wasted charge cycles on your batteries with no apparent enjoyment of the unit. The previous QP1R is supposed to take anywhere from 10-30 hours for initial major burn-in. After that, it's just gravy. Put the thing on and use it and burn in with it.
Did you try a different power cable and adapter? Sometimes they go bad.
There's the obvious answer: You might have a defective unit. Perhaps, exchange it for a replacement?
You're absolutely right of course, I've run mine off an external battery pack before; can't imagine what made me think you couldn't charge and play at the same time. Ah well ...
