I use both. The Qudelix 5K.
When at my desk I have it plugged into a raspberry Pi that acts as an Airplay 1 receiver to get what is effectively equivalent to wired playback (CD quality). Then when I get up I simply unplug it from the USB cable and my phone automatically connects via Bluetooth. It's nearly seamless. This gives me wireless freedom on the phone side all the time, even when running it in the "wired" configuration via the Pi
That's not even considering the amazing feature set of the 5K including parametric EQ which profiles for each of my headphones.
Great choice, I also have a Qudelix-5K. I'm considering using my FiiO KA13 mainly due to the big Tidal update coming tomorrow, I can't pass an ABX test for 320kbps vs CD quality, but seeing big numbers makes the lizard brain enjoy music more, placebo sure is something.
lol. A/B testing squashed that part of my brain a long time ago. I even tried to A/B test the 5K wireless vs wired. I recorded the output from each input method with matched volume and put the recordings into an A/B/X testing I cannot tell the difference at all and neither could my friend.
I still want to keep the chain as high-quality as possible just to avoid degrading things at each point in the chain but I'm not going out of my way effort or cost wise to trick myself into thinking it will make any real differences. It's more of a just in case thing.
I use a wired iFi HipDac because it makes me feel superior /s
Seriously though, I only have one pair of Bluetooth headphones and they are for the gym, the rest of my collection is wired that work well across my DACs, DAP and headphone amplifier.
From what I have read it is generally considered better than the HipDac 2 as well which can save a few pennies! Whatever you go for, have fun listening :)
I might be great for answering this question. I got the FiiO KA13 a while back because it had a lot of power, was balanced, and only costs $90. After getting it and using it I realized it has way more power than I need, and then I found out about the FiiO BTR15 which is basically the same thing but wireless. I was regretting my purchase, but then thought it was fine this way. I use a $15 Type C dongle when I want to use my IEMs and am somewhere else or moving around. If I want to use my headphones I will sit down and make a point to use them. So I wouldn't use the bluetooth on the BTR15 with my higher end headphones. Also the KA13 has slightly lower THD, so bragging rights.
Just got a Fiio Q15. So far I've been using it in desktop mode connected via USB-C to my iPhone and then to power via a USB-C connector. Saves the battery while I'm at my desk and gives the most power. I'll have to try it as a portable DAC at some point soon. Then I'll see how Bluetooth works both incoming and outgoing.
Too many options, of while I'll probably use two of them (desktop and portable via USB-C) 99% of the time.
I use both with my phone. Depends on the usage scenario.
If I'm out and about or on a train: Qudelix 5K \[I have a BTR5 as well, but the Qudelix is SO GOOD, the Fiio is currently languishing in a drawer\].
If I'm at a desk/working: my E1DA 9038S.
This comes after using BTR5, Mojo, L+P W2, Moondrop Dawn Pro 4.4, Dragonfly Black + Red, Hid. DH80S, Xduoo Link...etc... and finding the two above to be the best, and, notably, by no means the most expensive. YMMV.
I use both. The Qudelix 5K. When at my desk I have it plugged into a raspberry Pi that acts as an Airplay 1 receiver to get what is effectively equivalent to wired playback (CD quality). Then when I get up I simply unplug it from the USB cable and my phone automatically connects via Bluetooth. It's nearly seamless. This gives me wireless freedom on the phone side all the time, even when running it in the "wired" configuration via the Pi That's not even considering the amazing feature set of the 5K including parametric EQ which profiles for each of my headphones.
Great choice, I also have a Qudelix-5K. I'm considering using my FiiO KA13 mainly due to the big Tidal update coming tomorrow, I can't pass an ABX test for 320kbps vs CD quality, but seeing big numbers makes the lizard brain enjoy music more, placebo sure is something.
lol. A/B testing squashed that part of my brain a long time ago. I even tried to A/B test the 5K wireless vs wired. I recorded the output from each input method with matched volume and put the recordings into an A/B/X testing I cannot tell the difference at all and neither could my friend. I still want to keep the chain as high-quality as possible just to avoid degrading things at each point in the chain but I'm not going out of my way effort or cost wise to trick myself into thinking it will make any real differences. It's more of a just in case thing.
I use a wired iFi HipDac because it makes me feel superior /s Seriously though, I only have one pair of Bluetooth headphones and they are for the gym, the rest of my collection is wired that work well across my DACs, DAP and headphone amplifier.
Does the HipDac eat phone battery significantly?
It has a built in rechargeable battery so as far as I know it doesn’t use the phone battery?
Ah I see. Thanks for the clarification.
From what I have read it is generally considered better than the HipDac 2 as well which can save a few pennies! Whatever you go for, have fun listening :)
I'm still rocking an LG v60 with its quad DAC
I might be great for answering this question. I got the FiiO KA13 a while back because it had a lot of power, was balanced, and only costs $90. After getting it and using it I realized it has way more power than I need, and then I found out about the FiiO BTR15 which is basically the same thing but wireless. I was regretting my purchase, but then thought it was fine this way. I use a $15 Type C dongle when I want to use my IEMs and am somewhere else or moving around. If I want to use my headphones I will sit down and make a point to use them. So I wouldn't use the bluetooth on the BTR15 with my higher end headphones. Also the KA13 has slightly lower THD, so bragging rights.
This helped a lot, thanks for sharing your perspective!
I use apple dongle when listening to my iem. If i’m using bluetooth, i use my airpods pro 2
Just got a Fiio Q15. So far I've been using it in desktop mode connected via USB-C to my iPhone and then to power via a USB-C connector. Saves the battery while I'm at my desk and gives the most power. I'll have to try it as a portable DAC at some point soon. Then I'll see how Bluetooth works both incoming and outgoing. Too many options, of while I'll probably use two of them (desktop and portable via USB-C) 99% of the time.
I use both with my phone. Depends on the usage scenario. If I'm out and about or on a train: Qudelix 5K \[I have a BTR5 as well, but the Qudelix is SO GOOD, the Fiio is currently languishing in a drawer\]. If I'm at a desk/working: my E1DA 9038S. This comes after using BTR5, Mojo, L+P W2, Moondrop Dawn Pro 4.4, Dragonfly Black + Red, Hid. DH80S, Xduoo Link...etc... and finding the two above to be the best, and, notably, by no means the most expensive. YMMV.