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Qudelix-5K Bluetooth USB DAC/Amp
$95
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Qudelix-5K Bluetooth USB DAC/Amp
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$95
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keyboard_arrow_downChrixxer23
12
Aug 23, 2023
Which is the better unit to drive HiFiMan planar magnetic cans, this or the BTR5-2021?
blorg
35
Aug 25, 2023
They use the exact same DAC/amp chips and are entirely identical in terms of sound quality and output power. The Qudelix has slightly higher max voltage output than the BTR5 for high impedance cans (this is presumably just a software limit on the latter as they are literally the same chips) but they have the same power into the lower impedances of Hifiman planars and will be exactly the same.
The Qudelix is smaller, lighter, integrated clip and has a much better app and PEQ support. BTR5 has the screen showing volume and input which is nice, and better buttons. Q5K has much better battery management, BTR5 is always charging while Q5K can actually run off USB power. So BTR5 if you use it plugged in a lot the battery will degrade after a year or so while Q5K is fine. I have both around 2 years, and this was my experience.
Qudelix IMO is the much better all round device.
"HiFiMan planar magnetic cans" isn't very descriptive as Hifiman make some of the easiest to drive headphones (OG Ananda- 103dB/mW) and some of the hardest (HE6SEV2- 83dB/mW). MOST Hifimans can be driven satisfactorily from either Q5K or BTR5 using a balanced cable though, I have tried HE1000 Stealth, Arya Stealth, OG Ananda, Sundara, Edition XS, HE400SE. Edition XS and HE400SE are the most marginal but still OK. All the others I think absolutely fine. I have even tried the HE6SEV2 and it actually makes noise but wouldn't be a rec.
flashb
9
Aug 25, 2023
blorg "So BTR5 if you use it plugged in a lot the battery will degrade after a year or so while Q5K is fine. I have both around 2 years, and this was my experience."
The 2021 version has the option to turn off charging.
It automatically charges up to 80% and recharges when it drops to 20% when plugged via USB.
chris.harshman
2
Aug 25, 2023
blorgSorry, the HE400se is in fact what I'm trying to drive. How marginal is “marginal”? (I’m using a balanced cable.)
(Edited)
carageae
11
Nov 5, 2023
chris.harshmanI also have HE400se and especially if you have a balanced cable, which doubles the available driving voltage, the volume level is not an issue. Maybe you will raise the slider close to the max if you really want a hard level or extreme bass, but I think it's enough. I don't own the BTR5, but the BTR-3K and that could be a bit louder, still ok for Edition XS though. I used it also with HD650 (unballanced by now, I don't have a 2.5mm balanced cable available for them by now) and it drives them louder enough...and they are 300 ohms headphones.
The real advantage of the ballanced connection, imho is the double voltage available in this mode, if we have 1Vpp unballanced, refferenced to GND, in ballanced mode these toys achieve 2Vpp, with GND as a center refference. In fact it's +/-1Vpp reffered to GND. This is the reason we are not allowed to make adapters by joining the two L- and R- pins...in fact this way we parrallel the negative side of each channel, with resulting distortion and severe alterration of the sound stage, the sound is close to mono this way (but don't try this at home!).
(Edited)
Chrixxer23
12
Aug 23, 2023
Internal battery, or you can run it as a USB DAC/Amp where it pulls from the phone's power.
oeverdazzle
1
Aug 25, 2023
Can this be utilized in the car? I'm asking if it turns on automatically when the engine starts.
Romne11
7
Sep 27, 2023
There are some similar devices, made just for car use mind you unlike this one, for sale on Amazon with the exact same specs as this unit that plug in to your car's USB power connector and then have a cable you plug in to the AUX auxiliary input. One even uses the LDAC Bluetooth codex - the closest to lossless Bluetooth codex available. It costs a fraction of this device around $25 and sounds great. It turns on and off automatically by simply turning your car key (even just to the point where you get power to the car but has not cranked yet - hope that makes sense) - as well as connects automatically - zero interaction needed. If your interested I can get the name of the device for you though it is easy to find with thousands of high reviews and the only LDAC codex one available.
(Edited)
Bigred1957
14
Nov 17, 2023
Don't want to sound dumb, but is this only for bluetooth headphones or can it be bluetooth keyboard or other peripherals?
Trash_Panda
3
Dec 19, 2023
This isn't for bluetooth headphones. It is a bluetooth receiver so you can send audio via bluetooth to wired headphones. It doesn't accept other wired peripherals. It is strictly for wired headphones.
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