In right this moment’s submit, Thomas critiques the Questyle M15C, an up to date model of their common PCM 384kHz/32bit balanced-designed dongle DAC. Its SRP is $199, however it’s at present priced at $129 within the Questyle on-line retailer.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched in return for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site that doesn’t have any affiliate hyperlinks. I thank Questyle for this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra on different Questyle merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Immediately I’m testing the lately launched Questyle M15C dongle DAC. The M15C slots into Questyle’s lineup between the M12i and M15i with the unique M15 now discontinued.
Following Questyle’s distinctive design language with a stable aluminum shell and clear face displaying off the board inside, the M15C is a visually placing piece of apparatus. Its visible attraction is backed by robust sonic efficiency and a helpful function set.
Whereas it has restricted usefulness with delicate earphones, the M15C has in any other case confirmed to be a pleasing every day driver. If you happen to’re in search of a performant dongle DAC with a novel look, the M15C could be simply the ticket.
Options
Twin outputs are current on the M15C. It accommodates a 3.5mm single-ended port alongside a 4.4mm balanced output.
Contained in the M15C and visual by means of the clear viewing window are LED sampling charge standing indicators. One LED will gentle for sampling charges lower than or equal to 48kHz, whereas two LEDs will gentle for sampling charges higher than 48kHz.
On one aspect of the machine is a handbook acquire adjustment swap. This swap lets you swap between Customary and Excessive acquire choices, giving the M15Cs output a bit extra punch for demanding earphones and headphones.
Including to the M15C’s robust visible attraction, together with added sturdiness, is a frosted aluminum, CNC-machined outer shell. It makes the machine really feel dearer than it’s.
Lastly, a high-quality 4.4mm port from Pentaconn has been put in within the M15C. Utilizing components from such a revered model instills higher confidence within the longevity of the M15C.
Design
Whereas the M15C takes on an analogous form as most compact, moveable DACs with a detachable cable, it differs in a single key side. On the highest of the machine is a viewing window with a tidy black border that allows you to respect the clear design of the electronics inside.
Past that, the remainder of the machine is frosted CNC-machined aluminum. Whereas there are outlined edges, the whole lot is easily rounded off leaving no sharp angles.
This smooth design feels good within the hand and reduces the probability of the machine catching or snagging on a pocket or one thing else. It additionally helps make the machine really feel exceptionally stable and sturdy.
On both finish are the assorted ports and inputs. Down one aspect is the acquire swap. The swap is straightforward to search out and whereas it doesn’t slide as easily as related switches, the button is aluminum and snicks into place with a satisfying sound.
Whereas the standard of the supplies is nice, the fitment and end of the pattern I used to be supplied may very well be higher. As an alternative of the viewing window being flush with the housing throughout, one aspect is kicked up making a ridge you may hook your fingernail into, permitting you to take away the panel totally.
The printing on the rear of the machine can be tilted barely. I’d not anticipate these particulars to be the norm, but it surely’s good to know that Questyle isn’t cherry-picking the very best examples of the M15C to ship to reviewers.
I/O
Questyle’s M15C connects to numerous units by means of the USB-C port situated on one finish. It helps Android, iOS, Home windows, MAC, and others, although chances are you’ll have to allow your machine’s OTG mode for full performance.
3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced output ports are on the opposite finish of the machine. A acquire swap with choices for Customary and Excessive acquire is situated on one aspect.
And that’s it for the I/O. The M15C is a smooth machine.
Packaging & Equipment
Questyle’s packaging for the M15C is compact and easy. On the entrance of the matte black field is a wireframe-style picture of the M15C with the standard branding and mannequin data.
Flipping to the rear you discover a small handful of specs and options, equivalent to the applying of a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chip and {that a} TOREX semiconductor is dealing with energy administration. The aspect notes that the M15C was designed to be used with iDevices.
Sliding out the inside like a drawer through a small ribbon tab, you’re supplied a product handbook in quite a few languages and a guaranty card.
If you happen to’re a heavy steel aficionado, you’ll be blissful to know that the housing and cable include lead in quantities that exceed the EU’s RoHS directive, however they’ve been given an exemption or relaxed {qualifications} to satisfy so there’s nothing to fret about.
Under the paperwork is the M15C tucked tightly right into a foam insert with different inclusions beneath. In all you get:
- M15C DAC
- Sort-C to Sort-C USB cable
- Sort-C to Sort-A adapter
- Handbook and guarantee card
Whereas the shortage of even a fundamental protecting case is a disappointing omission, you should buy a leather-based one individually for round $25. The standard of the cloth-coated Sort-C cable is sort of excessive and is definitely higher than the fundamental rubber-sheathed cables included with competing units.
Sound Impressions
Testing was completed with the M15C paired with a Huawei P40 and ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Excessive. I listened by means of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 (single-ended), I/O Audio VOLARE (balanced), and the Astrotec Phoenix (balanced).
Abstract
Due to the Cirrus CS43198 chipset software, I anticipated the M15C to have an in depth however warm-leaning signature consistent with different merchandise I’ve tried that includes the identical chip. That’s precisely what we get.
Signature
Questyle’s M15C has a warm-leaning signature that sounds clean and many detailed. Its end-to-end extension is superb, and I by no means discovered it to carry again flagship merchandise able to reaching the bottom lows and highest of highs.
The M15C’s signature has a pure timbre and may correctly energy demanding merchandise. When pairing it with the Astrotec Phoenix, I discovered it stored the treble presentation clear and outlined, an space the place the Phoenix can battle when paired with an unsuitable DAC.
Shimmering highs are represented and with speedy drivers like planars and electrostats, guarantee their assault and decay qualities are maintained. Splashiness can be suitably reined by which could be a problem with the Phoenix if not pushed correctly.
The M15C doesn’t push the midrange ahead and has a extra reasonable weighting and heat in comparison with related merchandise. That is the place I discover the M15C differing most from different units that includes the identical chipset.
This presentation provides extra edge and higher readability to vocals and different devices and results enjoying on this vary. It sounds finest with male vocals and devices with a cooler tonality.
The M15C’s low-end heat provides the DAC’s presentation a punchy presence on bass notes with its emphasis being reasonable sufficient to affect the headphones’ default sound.
This refined shift helps keep a low-end presence when utilizing bass-lite earphones in public because the low finish is normally the very first thing affected by outdoors noise bleeding in.
Questyle’s M15C additionally does a implausible job with texturing. It does nothing to clean out grungy bass notes and the form of micro-details that give music a dynamic edge.
Staging & Dynamics
The M15C’s staging efficiency is superb due to the broad bass ground and spacious default vocal positioning.
These two traits make earphones with reasonable staging, just like the Astrotec Volans or Campfire Audio Polaris, sound extra dynamic and open than they do by means of most different merchandise.
Earphones with an ideal stage already, just like the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020, the impact is much less pronounced however nonetheless notable. General, the M15C sounds open and spacious and makes the merchandise it powers sound the identical.
This sensation is helped by above-average layering and instrument separation qualities, particularly within the midrange. The reasonable weighting leaves loads of house between monitor components, whereas the depth it gives enhances the dynamics.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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