The Quedelix-5K DAC/amplifier is an engineering marvel on multiple levels. The most impressive of these is the true 10 and 20 band PEQ in its companion app. Add in high-resolution Bluetooth audio, a MEM microphone for calls, and single-ended and balanced outputs (2.5 mm), and you have one of the most versatile mobile DACs on the market.
Qudelix-5K: Price and Availability
Quedelix-5K is available directly from Quedelix for $109 or from Amazon for $110. You probably won’t find it on sale, but for everything the Quedelix-5K has to offer, $110 is a reasonable price point compared to the competition.
Some may have issues with the plastic body at this price, but it doesn’t feel cheap and the build decision was made for a reason. We’ll discuss this later.
Qudelix-5K: Build and Installation
Although the Qudelix-5K is heavy in terms of hardware and software functions, it feels very light in the hand. It has a plastic body that ensures you a strong Bluetooth connection to your music source. Metal bodies tend to attenuate RF signals. have a look Build your home routerFor example. Metal or plastic? Inside, you get a lot for $110. The 5k is equipped with a Qualcomm BT 5.0 chipset and dual ES9219 SABER HiFi DACs, supporting single-ended and balanced outputs as well as a high-sensitivity MEM microphone for calls.
Externally, you’ll find a separate microphone port on the top of the device, next to the 3.5mm and 2.5mm ports. There’s a handy spring-loaded aluminum clip on the bottom of the device, and two confusing buttons on the side. Neither has labels, which is the only pain point I have with external settings. One button is a volume rocker, and on the other side of the device is the power button, which also controls Bluetooth functions: pairing, playback, skipping tracks, and calls. When powered on, the buttons glow red and blue when pressed, making them easier to use. The Bluetooth button controls the Bluetooth function.
Besides the button labels, my only other issue is choosing the 2.5mm port instead of the 4.4mm port. I’m sure the decision was based on device size, but I’d go with the larger 5k for the 4.4mm port. When reading online forums, a common complaint is that a lot of people break those tiny 2.5mm pins. Your mileage may vary.
Qudelix-5K: Features
Qudelix-5K provides excellent codec support for Bluetooth streaming, What the iPhone can’t take advantage of. In addition to standard SBC and AAC, you get support for aptX Adaptive, LDAC and aptX HD. This is an important note because the device’s applications support extensions to your computer via the Chrome browser plug-in. Even though iOS lacks high-resolution Bluetooth codec support, you should still download the app because iOS and iPad OS don’t have EQ support for all apps. However, the Quedelix app’s settings are omnipresent and saved directly to the 5k internal storage. That means once you configure it to your liking, that sound profile will stay the same on every device you connect to it: car, phone, tablet, computer, etc. A music application that is always available on your mobile device.
The most important feature of the app is the 20-band PEQ, which can also be set to 10-band left/right independent PEQ. This is where the 5k shines. As you delve into the world of “coloring” your audio to your liking, it’s a great way to see how subtle changes in the EQ curve can instantly affect your audio. This is a popular feature among audiophiles and a great teaching tool for new audiophiles. Best of all, you can save up to 20 EQ settings and access an extensive library of automatic EQ presets in the app’s DSP tab.
Of course, other manufacturers offer EQ support, but usually this isn’t true PEQ. You usually get EQ presets or simple 3- or 5-band EQ support, but there are no options for pregain, headroom, peak filters, high or low shelf filters, and Q-factor (frequency bandwidth) adjustments.
The app will also show you the status and statistics of your current input (BT or USB-C), show you important battery/power consumption statistics, let you control gain, and adjust volume via a separate slider. Coarse and fine control. Note that you can also control the volume directly from the 5k itself.
Quedelix 5k: Sound quality
The Qudelix-5K itself reproduces the audio flawlessly. It doesn’t have that big of a soundstage or sparkle My current favorite iFi GO blu Yes, but that one doesn’t have PEQ. But again that’s the advantage of 5k. I connected Sennheiser’s $1,500 IEMs, IE900s, and all the way up to the Quedelix 5k, and listening through 3.5mm cable for the first time was great. The sound is pleasantly balanced and detailed.
Next, I connected the 2.5mm cable to get a balanced output power, turned on the PEQ, and added some bass and subwoofer at the 31 and 63Hz frequencies. “Sweet Christmas” had me grinning from ear to ear, just like when When I played “Start a Riot” from the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, the Cheshire Cat! This is a beautiful Dolby Atmos mix that demonstrates what can be achieved when producers know how to use these tools effectively. The IE900 are not at all bass head in-ears. With 5k PEQ, they become like that, but the mid- and high-end clarity is not diminished. The bass on that track gets downright dark and nasty and makes me want to join a boxing match with one of my Muay Thai buddies.
The right PEQ settings can make your music enjoyable and transcendent. They can take you from a listening session to a true listening experience. Of course, suitable headphones or in-ear headphones are required.
This is a final note on the Qudelix-5K. I put it through several pairs of headphones and sensitive, low-impedance and high-impedance in-ears, and it drove everything with aplomb.
Quedelix 5k: Race
There are some other options Priced at $100, none offer true PEQ like the Qudelix-5K. For example, FiiO’s options will give you EQ customization through their app, but the 5k has more levels and variety of customization.
The closest device is FiiO’s BTR15, which supports MQA and native DSD and also costs $110. It also includes an OLED display, which the 5K doesn’t have, and it uses 4.4mm rather than 2.5mm balanced output. Shanling has their UP4 2022, which is larger, has a bigger battery, and includes codec support for LHDC. They both have single-ended and balanced outputs, but the app makes all the difference, so I’d choose the Quedelix 5k over its competition.
Qudelix-5K: Should you buy it?
You should buy the Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier if…
- You are interested in fine-tuning audio
- Cost is the main factor in purchasing a DAC
- You want a DAC that works with almost any sound source
You should not purchase the Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier if…
- You don’t need a Bluetooth connection
- You like 4.4mm output
For the parametric EQ alone, the Quedelix-5K is well worth it! When you take into account all the other features of this device, I think this would be a great choice for those who want to learn how to create their ideal sound curve or those who already know how but want one that can be taken with them and connected to just about any device Equipment is the obvious choice. You can even use the 5K as a preamp.
If real PEQ piques your interest, look no further. That’s it.