[miserybeforethemusic]

Time to see what all this fuss is about. Figured this would make a good companion piece for my earbuds. Surprisingly tiny, especially when compared to the box it comes in!

 

[DBaldock9]

I am deciding between a Qudelix 5K and a FiiO BTR5. Can the Qudelix be used (connected USB C port) as an external DAC with UAPP in an LG V50 mobile? I have read there are compatibility issues with UAPP, but no issues with the BTR5. I use also TIDAL HiFi and Qobuz apps (HiFi suscription) but only the UAPP bypasses sound quality limitations of Android and also uses the LG quadDAC if required. Will I get better sound quality using the Qudelix (two Sabre ESS chips) by balanced input as compared to the LG quadDAC?

I've got three of the portable BT/USB DAC/Amps, and their specs are:
.
1.) FiiO BTR5 - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x ES9218P, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=32-Bit/384-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-C-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
2.) Qudelix-5K - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x ES9218P, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=24-Bit/96-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-C-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
3.) Radsone EarStudio ES100 - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x AK4375A, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=16-Bit/48-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-µ-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
Technically - I can also use my Shanling M0 as a small DAP, or compact BT/USB DAC/Amp, with 3.5mm TRS output. For BT, it works as a LDAC (24-Bit/96-KHz) Receiver. With the Shanling USB driver installed, my Win10 Sound Settings say it's sending 32-Bit/192-KHz to the M0, but the screen on the M0 says it's operating at 24-Bit/44.1-KHz.

 

[hgpardo]

I've got three of the portable BT/USB DAC/Amps, and their specs are:
.
1.) FiiO BTR5 - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x ES9218P, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=32-Bit/384-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-C-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
2.) Qudelix-5K - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x ES9218P, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=24-Bit/96-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-C-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
3.) Radsone EarStudio ES100 - BT/USB DAC/Amp (2x AK4375A, BT(LDAC)=24-Bit/96-KHz, USB=16-Bit/48-KHz) - Input (BT & USB-µ-F); Output (3.5mm TRS & 2.5mm TRRS)
.
Technically - I can also use my Shanling M0 as a small DAP, or compact BT/USB DAC/Amp, with 3.5mm TRS output. For BT, it works as a LDAC (24-Bit/96-KHz) Receiver. With the Shanling USB driver installed, my Win10 Sound Settings say it's sending 32-Bit/192-KHz to the M0, but the screen on the M0 says it's operating at 24-Bit/44.1-KHz.

A good collection. I also ordered an Earstudio ES100, but finally due to comments about battery problems, and lower resolution 16 bit/48 Khz, I cancelled my order. In your opinion which has better sound quality between the FIIO and Qudelix? I know that the Qudelix can equalize LDAC and the BTR5 not, but other than that I don't know if it significantly affects sound quality.

 

[DBaldock9]

Of the three, the ES100 has a slightly warmer sound, and I don't hear any big differences between the BTR5 and Q5K.
Overall, I prefer the control layout on the BTR5.
I don't use EQ, so that feature isn't part of my consideration.

 

[hgpardo]

And wired using USB connection? Any SQ differences between BTR5 and Q5K? Thanks

 

[thebearded1]

Hey Qudelix 5K fans... I do not see the ability to toggle Absolute Volume Control in the Qudelix app. I do have the most recent app versions and 5K software versions. I'm wondering if this has to do with the phone I'm using (it's an iPhone 8 with iOS 14.6). Have any of you run into this issue?

 

[timl]

Hey Qudelix 5K fans... I do not see the ability to toggle Absolute Volume Control in the Qudelix app. I do have the most recent app versions and 5K software versions. I'm wondering if this has to do with the phone I'm using (it's an iPhone 8 with iOS 14.6). Have any of you run into this issue?

My understanding is this feature has been made permanent. There is no longer a toggle.

 

[DBaldock9]

And wired using USB connection? Any SQ differences between BTR5 and Q5K? Thanks

I've used all of these devices, connected as a USB DAC/Amp on my Work Win10 PC.
Other than the ES100 having a slightly warmer sound, they all seem fairly similar to me.

 

[Nick-firestorm]

Compared to the ES100, definite improvement. The PEQ alone is worth the upgrade.
I have both the 5K and the Mojo, and find myself reaching for the 5K over my Mojo 9 times out of 10, even if I'm just listening to my iems sitting at my desk.

this one liner here is all one needs instead of pages of detailed reviews

 

[Nick-firestorm]

where to find QUDELIX 5K in europe??????

 

[Nick-firestorm]

I found QUDELIX 5K in europe good price but now I read it's analytical and not musical...... I want musical.... FIIO is the only one I found musical.... but Q5S so expensive.............

what is cheaper alternative to Q5S??? i was very happy with E17K was very cheap back then.... 7 years ago

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

I found QUDELIX 5K in europe good price but now I read it's analytical and not musical...... I want musical.... FIIO is the only one I found musical.... but Q5S so expensive.............

what is cheaper alternative to Q5S??? i was very happy with E17K was very cheap back then.... 7 years ago

The 5k is analytical? That's news to me. My immediate listening notes were a punchy, dynamic, and detailed sound signature. It can make my SR25 sound tame in comparison on some tracks.

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

I found QUDELIX 5K in europe good price but now I read it's analytical and not musical...... I want musical.... FIIO is the only one I found musical.... but Q5S so expensive.............

what is cheaper alternative to Q5S??? i was very happy with E17K was very cheap back then.... 7 years ago

I think your IEM pairings will also matter on this one. This past week with the Campfire Honeydew has really taught me that; I thought that IEM was going to just end up as a boomy, bass monster on every single source. On the 5k, it's not boomy and the Honeydew finally gets a chance to do what it does best: smack you silly with that punchy LCP bass.

The 5K gave those Honeydew so much slam, it ended up giving me a headache after about an hour of synthwave. Sounds pretty musical to me.

 

[alex5908]

The 5K gave those Honeydew so much slam,

Сan't wait till I get the Honeydew. Was supposed to be delivered today but nah. Did you get it delivered by Fedex? Any extra payment to Fedex? Like duties or something?

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

Сan't wait till I get the Honeydew. Was supposed to be delivered today but nah. Did you get it delivered by Fedex? Any extra payment to Fedex? Like duties or something?

The 5K? Pretty sure it was FedEx. Didn't owe any duties.

The Honeydew was provided by Audio46 and is a review sample. That one was shipped UPS. Don't think that's gonna help you, though.