Review: Questyle Audio QP1R - With Multiple Headphone and IEM Pairings

[WCDchee]

I like the Qp1r a lot, it is one of my Favourite DAPs. Very very resolving, dynamic and transparent, and has lots of slam. However, I feel that this creates somewhat of a flaw in the sound too.

The questyle sound really really impresses you on first listen, it grabs your attention and makes you wana listen more. However, it is actually a somewhat a coloured and unnatural sound. The way it presents detail is somewhat lacking in sophistication. Think about it, when you listen to things in real life, the details don't jump out at you, they're all there, but if you want to hear things like the fine texturing, these are not things that jump out at you. The problem with the questyle is that the details are too obviously presented, so much so that it becomes hyper real.

It is the same with the way it hits and how dynamic and fast it is. Yes it sounds incredible, but again, referencing to what I hear in real life, it's just too fast, hits too hard, and has a tad too much energy.

Don't get me wrong, I love the questyle. I think it sounds wonderful and would love to
Have it as my daily carry. However, I don't think the questyle is quite on the level to compete with the desktop quality stuff like a lot of people feel. I wouldn't even say it's the best DAP. One of the best, one of my Favourite no doubt, but not the best. In fact, the unnaturalness of the sound on prolonged listen to me is what really weighs it down.

If you compare it to something like the Hugo or the mojo fed with a good transport (yes transport is significant), I don't think it's quite there yet. The music just doesn't flow with the same naturalness.

For the guys considering the questyle, if you're looking for something that sounds natural and real, look elsewhere. But if you want something exciting that will wow you each time you plug in,. The questyle is the right way to go. Make sure though that the excitement doesn't wear you down though, because to my ears, it gets rather fatiguing when comparing with really high end systems.

Just my two cents!

 

[denis1976]

I like the Qp1r a lot, it is one of my Favourite DAPs. Very very resolving, dynamic and transparent, and has lots of slam. However, I feel that this creates somewhat of a flaw in the sound too.

The questyle sound really really impresses you on first listen, it grabs your attention and makes you wana listen more. However, it is actually a somewhat a coloured and unnatural sound. The way it presents detail is somewhat lacking in sophistication. Think about it, when you listen to things in real life, the details don't jump out at you, they're all there, but if you want to hear things like the fine texturing, these are not things that jump out at you. The problem with the questyle is that the details are too obviously presented, so much so that it becomes hyper real.

It is the same with the way it hits and how dynamic and fast it is. Yes it sounds incredible, but again, referencing to what I hear in real life, it's just too fast, hits too hard, and has a tad too much energy.

Don't get me wrong, I love the questyle. I think it sounds wonderful and would love to
Have it as my daily carry. However, I don't think the questyle is quite on the level to compete with the desktop quality stuff like a lot of people feel. I wouldn't even say it's the best DAP. One of the best, one of my Favourite no doubt, but not the best. In fact, the unnaturalness of the sound on prolonged listen to me is what really weighs it down.

If you compare it to something like the Hugo or the mojo fed with a good transport (yes transport is significant), I don't think it's quite there yet. The music just doesn't flow with the same naturalness.

For the guys considering the questyle, if you're looking for something that sounds natural and real, look elsewhere. But if you want something exciting that will wow you each time you plug in,. The questyle is the right way to go. Make sure though that the excitement doesn't wear you down though, because to my ears, it gets rather fatiguing when comparing with really high end systems.

Just my two cents!

yes that's right , the Questyle is resolving but is not has "natural" has a ak240 conected to a Mojo for exemple (my opinion ) but that resolving excitment may in the first listening cause de "ilusion" that is better , for me is just diferent not better, but yes is an excelent dap specialy for those that never heard others (like Paw Gold)

 

[cvbcbcmv]

So I've had this issue on 2 units. Currently, I don't really have any inefficient cans to see if I'm experiencing this on something not so sensitive, but on 2 units and several IEM's I'm getting this weird artificial interference sound intermittently from the right channel. It's very faint and almost never noticeable when music is playing, but it's very noticeable if I have no music playing but headphones are plugged in. To be clear, it is not hiss, it's different than the background hiss. Has anyone else experienced this? I'll give Bruce a call tomorrow about it, I was talking to Acoustic Sounds about the issue.

 

[husafreak]

Thanks for the link to the other thread.

 

[husafreak]

I would have to agree that you can do better than the QP1R with a non portable desktop setup, for probably more money. I don't find the QP1R to be "hyper real". For me it lacks some refinement and last levels of air. The breath of a tube amp. The natural luquidity of a well pressed and mastered vinyl. But that is expensive stuff! You can't take that to your hotel room. I think it gets the drive, pace and lively quality of "energetic" music quite right. It is a fresh sound which, like you, I find quite captivating. I don't find it tiresome. I am driving Krell amps and a pair of Harbeth SHL5+ speakers with it right now, listening to a DSD download of the Nora Jones Come Away With Me album. I have the album on CD and vinyl as well. And sometimes I listen to the album through my tube headphone amp. So I am familiar with the music. Anyway, it sounds good to me... The QP1R as a front end sounds really good to me right now.
I am not yet a headphone guy, I am becoming one, but honestly I didn't get into headphones and headphone amps and DAP's and digital audio until very recently. But I realized at CanJam in SoCal that this type of audio can be all over the map. It is a bit disconcerting really. A lifetime searching for "truth in audio" with large, expensive, home systems. And suddenly it's like "pick your poison". These components are voiced this way and those are voiced that way. The QP1R was my favorite sounding DAP and maybe how it was "voiced" had something to do with that. Or maybe the designer just tried his best to capture a realism he heard. No matter. If you can't hear them all and you are on a budget and you want to carry something that is small and light and will work on the go, at home, or on your desk, well, I doubt anyone would be disappointed with the sound quality.
I would also like to add that I have been very lucky with regard to the physical properties of mine, and the UI. Nothing has broken, or fallen off. The QP1R has played everything I put in it. And being a dinosaur I have no issues with the UI once I got used to it. Maybe I don't know any better. I love my DAP

 

[moedawg140]

Great impressions, husafreak, and too bad I missed you at CanJam SoCal!

 

[lookingforIEMs]

So I've had this issue on 2 units. Currently, I don't really have any inefficient cans to see if I'm experiencing this on something not so sensitive, but on 2 units and several IEM's I'm getting this weird artificial interference sound intermittently from the right channel. It's very faint and almost never noticeable when music is playing, but it's very noticeable if I have no music playing but headphones are plugged in. To be clear, it is not hiss, it's different than the background hiss. Has anyone else experienced this? I'll give Bruce a call tomorrow about it, I was talking to Acoustic Sounds about the issue.

Is it possible you have tinnitus? I get that issue sometimes. Sounds like the faint crackling of hiss.







True. Then again I guess we should look into the pairing of equipment. The dita truth or humpr for example are some of those hyper detailed and in your face kind of iems, at least when compared to something like my se5ult that is laid back and doesn't attack you with upfront details. The qp1r would be a fantastic pairing with the se5ult but might become fatiguing after a while if you listen to it with the truth or humpr. Something like the ak240 or the hm901s would pair better with those than the qp1r. So I guess it's a balance. Then again not all people are prone to fatigue and some might even prefer the already detail aggressive qp1r with even more detail aggressive iems. It's all ymmv

 

[cvbcbcmv]

deleted

 

[kino lau]

No chance, this is definitely something with the player. I find it so strange I've had it on 2 units and nobody else has had a problem.

I thought I had a problem with scratchy, crackling noise that I thought was an issue with the plug because I would hear it in the right channel whenever the plug moved. Purely by chance...I was cleaning everything with Deoxit, and the noise began to go away. After cleaning the connector completely...noise is gone.

 

[mwhals]

Does it make sense to get the TH900 when the only source I have is the QP1R that I would use with it? I currently have the JH Angie II and Bose QC25 for planes. Talk me out of it, LOL.

 

[moedawg140]

Does it make sense to get the TH900 when the only source I have is the QP1R that I would use with it? I currently have the JH Angie II and Bose QC25 for planes. Talk me out of it, LOL.

 
Have you listened to the TH-X00?  It's a different take on the TH-900's sound for a lot less money.  I kind of talked you out of it... 

 

 

[mwhals]

   
Have you listened to the TH-X00?  It's a different take on the TH-900's sound for a lot less money.  I kind of talked you out of it... 

 

 
I have no shops within driving distance of me to test any of them, so I can't  say I have tried it. I am thinking maybe the TH900 is not the right one for me. I have CDs from the 1980s to current that I have burned to FLAC files. Older CDs are not mastered as well as newer music it seems. As a result, I probably need a more forgiving headphone. I have heard the LCD-2/3 is forgiving for the older CD music. I want something that can match or exceed the Angie in sound quality. I am very picky on my music, which is why I am on Head-Fi, LOL.

 

[moedawg140]

   
I have no shops within driving distance of me to test any of them, so I can't  say I have tried it. I am thinking maybe the TH900 is not the right one for me. I have CDs from the 1980s to current that I have burned to FLAC files. Older CDs are not mastered as well as newer music it seems. As a result, I probably need a more forgiving headphone. I have heard the LCD-2/3 is forgiving for the older CD music. I want something that can match or exceed the Angie in sound quality. I am very picky on my music, which is why I am on Head-Fi, LOL.

 
If you are very picky with regards to your music, then I would advise attending either a Head-Fi-type meet or taking a trip to an audio shop (even if it takes hours) to help find out which earphone/headphone is best for you.  I know that they have some meets coming up like NAMM in Nashville, Canlanta in Atlanta, and Washington D.C. meets from time to time.  For reference, I have personally driven from So. Cal to San Francisco on multiple occasions to listen to the newest audio equipment and work at the meets up north (around 7 hour drive one-way total).

 

[WCDchee]

If you are very picky with regards to your music, then I would advise attending either a Head-Fi-type meet or taking a trip to an audio shop (even if it takes hours) to help find out which earphone/headphone is best for you.  I know that they have some meets coming up like NAMM in Nashville, Canlanta in Atlanta, and Washington D.C. meets from time to time.  For reference, I have personally driven from So. Cal to San Francisco on multiple occasions to listen to the newest audio equipment and work at the meets up north (around 7 hour drive one-way total).

Or plan a holiday to one of the Asian countries Japan preferentially, where one shop will probably give you more to try than most countries

 

[Bambule]

The line out Jack starting to get really dirty, I never use this one, only the headphone out. The QP1R is mostly in my trouser pocket, so dust is starting to find way in the LO opening. Wondering if this is something to worry about. I little cover would have been great. No problems at this time though. Maybe I'm little over worried