QLS (Quloos) QA361 DAP as Server/Transport/Player

[Doak]

This thread springs from "Audiophile" SD Card Transport? in which we began to explore the veracity of and then ways to feed digital music to our systems via SD card memory. Knew that there were DIY centered solutions out there my quest centered on those of the "off the shelf" variety that promises ease of acquisition and use. That led to my acquiring an Aune X5s DAC/Transport, an inexpensive desktop sized unit which performed quite well particularly when considering its price. 

 

The next BIG event in the earlier thread was member "sligolad's" mention of the QLS QA361 portable music player. He certainly got my attention when stating that 

"My (Lampizator) Big7 will be retired after discovering what a €700 micro sd player can do direct to Pre amp.

The QLS361 line out with slc card out performs my Big7." Being a "Lampi Guy" as well, I took this statement VERY seriously. and set about acquiring a QLS QA361 of my own.

I ordered one off of eBay for a delivered price 0f $725. It arrived one week ago today.

 

For the past 5-6 days I have used it driving headphones as most would. It does a great job it that, its intended mode of operation/use - so much so that although I've never been a "cans guy" it has me scouring FS ads on Head-Fi for a better pair than I currently own. Here's a Head-Fi thread on the QA361 that centers on its use with headphones:

QLS QA361 impression thread

I've primarily used it in my Big Rig as digital transport/server and as a stand alone digital music player. I have put off any reporting up to now because it seemed that each day or two brought me twice as far along and up the learning curve. At this point I MUST acknowledge "sligilad" for his sharing of info and direct assistance with getting so far, so fast. No way I'd be reporting on this little gem much less be where I am with it any other way - a big THANKS!

 

More coming and lots of details quite soon. Wanted to kick this thread off since the old one was beginning to look like a QLS QA361 only thread anyway. I do not anyone who may be interested in this little gem to miss out.  I'm asking Chris to close the Audiophile" SD Card Transport thread. I will include a final post to direct traffic to this one.

 

 

[Doak]

Very detailed, well illustrated info and specs on the QA361 are supplied at this link:

QA361 HiFi Lossless Pure Sound Music Player

[Doak]

I am using and testing the QA361 in two modalities:

1. As a streamer to my DAC via its coax line out which supports PCM up to 24-192 and DSD64.

Unfortunately the coax input of my Lampizator is PCM only, so I am not able to take advantage of the streamer's DSD capability.

2. As a stand-alone music player using the line out capability of the QA361.

 

To facilitate line out, I am using an Audioquest 3.5mm to stereo RCA adaptor (sourced from Amazon) which allows me to use my own IC cables - possibly lessening the impact of one variable.

The coaxial digital output is facilitated by the FiiO cable on the right in the photo. 

*** VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ON DIGITAL OUTPUT CABLE: The digital cable used MUST have a 4-pole 3.5mm (1/8") jack. 

These are rare. The thing to look for is late generation FiiO compatibility.  

I took delivery yesterday of an additional coax cable that works and it is pictured below. This better constructed cable is currently being run-in and use/listening test will proceed later today.

 

Below are links to all three of these items:

Audioquest - 3.5mm Mini-Plug-to-2-RCA Adapter

FiiO L21 3.5mm - RCA Digital Coaxial Cable

Coaxial Digital Audio Cable SPDIF HIFI 3.5mm To RCA For Fiio X7/X3K/X5K/X5

 

 

 

[Doak]

I will first address using the QLS QA361 utilized as a music streamer/SD card transport. 

PCM files up to 24-192 as well as DSD 64 can be streamed from the coax output of the unit.

I am now using the cable made from Monster Prolink 100 (picture directly above this post).

With approx 20 hrs burn-in it is proving itself to be superior sounding compared to the FiiO cable, as well it should since it costs over TWICE as much ($29 vs $13 ).  Just call me jaded but after dealing with so much audiophile stuff for so long, I call things priced like this basically FREE. 

 

I'll be posting more details on the what/how/whys of using the little machine, but I don't want to keep you in suspense regarding my findings so far. I am playing the same PCM music files from SD card for the QA361 and Auralic Aries via hard drive. The setup allows me switch streaming sources within seconds and replay the same song or song segment. I am using music with which I feel I am thoroughly familiar and is of very high resolution/recording quality. Without further delay: Amazingly to me, I'd call it a "photo finish" with the nod going to the QA361 for a bit more clarity, and seemingly less noise.

 

I say amazingly because it's taken me nearly 4 years and an investment of well over $3K (NOT including my DAC) to get that Big Rig streaming setup where it is, and understand this: It sounds damned good. People, in whose ears I trust, have deemed it the most natural sounding best digital front end they've heard (though I've no doubt there are better). Now another, albeit a more limited one, costing about $750 inclusive not only sounds as good but appears to sound even better. 

 

OK,,, Now that I've gotten that out and out of the way, I intend in my next post to get into the details (and I do mean details) of putting the QLS QA361 into operation. It's not that it is hard at all, just that there are some things to know. Also, remember the little machine has a DAC and amps too!

 

My digital front end:

Auralic Aries (Femto clocks) digital music streamer - music files fed in via Supra .7m A-B USB cable from Western Digital Black 2TB drive in OWC Mercury Elite Pro USB case , powered by Teradak 12v LPSU.

USB digital out from Aries via Phasure LUSH USB cable .7m > Uptone ISO Regen & LPS-1, Meanwell  SMPS> DIY USB stubbie > Lampizator Gen 5 Level 4 DAC

 

[Doak]

Oops, forgot something in my listing of my Big Rig digital front end - an SBooster PS and SBooster Ultra are used to power the Auralic Aries. This more recent addition took the performance/sound of the Aries up a smallish though noticeable notch.

 

Want to be completely clear about what the little QA361 is up against - a fairly pricey, very well developed and tweaked music server system. I've had the QA361 and new coax cable continuing to burn/break in overnight. Will do more listening/experimentation later today. Boggles my mind to think that it may get even better. 

[Doak]

1 hour ago, seeteeyou said:

FYI - I just found two more sources for coaxial cables

 

https://sg.carousell.com/p/custom-fiio-coaxial-cable-29893687/

https://extreme-audio-usa.myshopify.com/products/extreme-audio-3-5mm-stereo-4-pole-to-rca-digital-coaxial-audio-connection-cable-for-fiio-x3-2nd-generation-fiio-x5-2nd-generation-and-fiio-x7-6ft

 

There are plenty of cables available on Tao Bao as well, there's a decent one that's made from Furutech FX-Alpha-Ag and we've gotta pick the right option Hicon 3.5四节- ATL RCA 15cm

 

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=538676155873

https://www.thecableco.com/fx-alpha-ag-digital-bulk.html

 

Since those sellers don't really ship internationally, we could also ask Ghent to make something similar to his E06 but not quite the same

 

http://www.ghentaudio.com/part/e06.html

 

Simply inform Ghent that's gotta be TRRS (instead of TS) as explained below

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-x5-2nd-gen-impressions-and-discussion-thread.765943/page-419#post-13194708

https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/8949330.jpg

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-x5-2nd-gen-impressions-and-discussion-thread.765943/page-419#post-13196090

http://fiio.me/data/attachment/forum/201506/17/183929vc9gvv34z8fpd8gv.jpg

 

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/fiio-x3-2nd-gen-ultraportable-hi-res-dap.20614/reviews#review-13322

https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/7443177.jpg

 

For DIY cables, Canare L-5.5CUHD could be a great choice

 

https://www.redco.com/Canare-L-5.5CUHD-cable.html

http://store.haveinc.com/p-62564-canare-l-5-5cuhd-75-ohm-12g-uhd-sdi-video-coax-black-per-foot.aspx

https://www.markertek.com/product/l-5-5cuhd-ft/canare-l-5-5cuhd-12g-sdi-75-ohm-video-coaxial-cable-per-foot

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/digital-audio-video-cables/canare-l-55cuhd-ultra-coax-coaxial-cable-12g-sdi-ultra-low-loss-75-ohm-shielded-high-o77mm-p-12956.html

 

There were some positive impressions posted before

 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/29650-dcs-network-bridge/page/19/?tab=comments#comment-765484

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/29650-dcs-network-bridge/page/19/?tab=comments#comment-765520

Thanks much for the pointers.

The special order Ghent looks promising and the price sure is right.

Much appreciated. 👍

[Doak]

6 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

FYI - Clark will showcase his latest product (for desktop rigs) in 10 days or so

 

http://www.erji.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2141560

http://www.qlshifi.com/bbs/dispbbs.asp?boardid=5&Id=6895&page=1&star=108#35893

Wow,, sure want to know about that.Thanks 

Any clues?

[Doak]

2 hours ago, Doak said:

Wow,, sure want to know about that.Thanks 

Any clues?

 

9 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

FYI - Clark will showcase his latest product (for desktop rigs) in 10 days or so

 

http://www.erji.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2141560

http://www.qlshifi.com/bbs/dispbbs.asp?boardid=5&Id=6895&page=1&star=108#35893

Hoping for something that goes a few steps beyond the QA890 DAC. 

QLS QA890

[Doak]

Here's a link to an amazingly informative overview and review of the QA361:

https://moonstarreviews.net/qls-hifi-qa361-the-portable-digital-audio-player-review/