I was able to find one on discount for under 200 USD. I didn't need another dongle, I was just curious about Questyle and this seemed like a cheap entry point to sample one of their devices. I've been absolutely floored by it as an all-in-one USB desktop source. I have a Mojo 2, but sonically I prefer the M15. I don't have expensive source equipment, I have an old reliable Zen DAC v1, an EF400, an Earmen Sparrow, and I have a Schiit Lyr3 and the Magni Piety from Niche. I prefer the character of the M15 to all of it. The M15 to the Lyr3 takes a drier amp and makes it sound fluid and glassy. Previously I found ESS-based implementations to be a bit harsh, maybe brittle in the treble, sharp and clear no doubt but a bit too thin for my preference. The M15 (to my ear) extends cleanly in both the lows and highs, is surprising punchy even with some power hungry headphones like the Liric or t60rp Argons, and some high impedance stuff like my 300ohm ZMFs in the Eikon and Auteur Classics. It's clean but full sounding, plenty wide, definitely "wet", I don't hear any dryness or grain. With the 109 Pro it is a near perfect pairing, one I struggle to imagine how it might be improved upon or beaten as a value proposition. I think you nail the highlights of the device in this review and admittedly I was very skeptical before I pulled the trigger. It's one of the pound-for-pound best investments I've made in the hobby. I do wish it had an optical in but for listening from a laptop, macbook, or phone, I prefer it to the more expensive if more versatile Mojo 2. Even with the Mojo 2's DSP correction, the default sound signature of the M15 is money. I've just been drowning myself in trip-hop listening to the 109 and Auteur with this little thing looking at all my bulkier gear and totally considering them redundant. Excellent review, agree 100%, and will continue to evangelize this thing to USB only listeners. I have heard of people having interference, static, feedback, when using it on an Android phone but that hasn't been my experience; however I wouldn't discount those reports either. ✌
Wait ..what …you can plug it into an iPhone WITHOUT going through a camera connection/ power cable …MADNESS. I just started using my IFI Go Blue in hardwired off my iPhone ( though the aforementioned fuckery) and if you thought the Bluetooth performance was extraordinary..it’s a step up In performance when wired ! This unit you’re reviewing is super interesting as this maybe something that I may actually consider buying. Thank you and Best of the New Year to you and yours.
I've been using Shanling UP2 wirelessly because I kept wearing out my USB-C port. I use it with bluetooth on my android set to LDAC 96 kHz 32-bit 990kb/s, but bluetooth _still_ filters those super high frequencies and kills the air of the sound. So I don't get that standing on top of a mountain feeling ever which is important to me. Whenever I bring this up ppl say "most ppl can't hear those frequencies" or "I can't hear the difference", *sigh*... I'll be happy to go back to wired.
Damn, this is really in depth. But seeing all that expensive equipment behind you, I'd love comparisons with the top of the shelf systems you have there. That could be a good patreon perk - compare the equipment you review on youtube with the absolute best of the best
Although I would love to explore every avenue of combination and reviews, unfortunately time just does not allow, due to the fact that this is not my daytime job, but I’m splitting my time 50-50 at the moment But as a rule, Patreon members can ask me any questions, and I usually answer in depth in our telegram chats via voice, and we usually discuss a lot more things than ever appear on video Maybe there is something in this though for the fireside chat series
@@HotRatsAndTheStooges Liric and atrium, apologies those headphones left a long time ago but I don’t see it having any difficulties. In fact, I think it will be great The tunnel balance I think would play nicely
You should try out the Cayin RU7 it’s the only portable 1-bit DAC in the world and it’s a dongle dac/amp with 400mW of power! I’ve had mine for a few days now and I am hooked! Soundstage is enormous!!
@@ConvinceMeAudio Can't wait to hear your thoughts! It is one magnificient piece of hardware. In DSD64 mode, it strikes a great balance between R2R smoothness while retaining the detail of a traditional delta-sigma DAC. Best of both worlds really!
Since this video, the Ifi go blu added 2 new filters (magenta & green) that really improved the sound. Also the new iPhone 15 allows full resolution connection through USB -C, improving on the sound by a large margin over the low rez lightning connector, again. Have you listened to these updates to compare the quest style in 2024? Thanks! P.S. the 15i is coming out right now to replace the 15. Love your channel, subscribed! 👊🎼🎉✨
Bandwidth is oft neglected both FR bandwidth and loop bandwidth. Higher loop bandwidth means feedback has less deleterious effects due to lower feedback loop latency. Current feedback also sounds a lot better. So does discrete. Wider FR bandwidth keeps the sound cleaner. It is all down to lower nonlinear distortion on broadband time varying signals. Something THD or IMD measurements on a single state state sine wave will never reveal!
How would you compare this to the RU6 from Cayin? I currently have the Cayin but I sometimes crave a lil bit more details, but the sonic characteristics of the RU6 is so satisfying...
@@ConvinceMeAudio That's amazing! Thank you for all the quality videos, would appreciate it if you could get your hands on a CA Ara, they're currently my daily driver. I would love to hear your thoughts
I sold my M15 for the Cayin RU6. I actually do not find the M15 having wide soundstage despite everyone including CMA feeling otherwise. While the bass is good the treble extremely annoying. I don’t find the M15 suitable for headphones either, my HD6XX sounded weak and congested, again, so annoying that I had to disconnect it from the dongle. In the end I find even the Jcally sounds better especially in the treble department. My Topping G5 which I was able to get at a lower price than M15 beats it in all areas and as a bonus it has Bluetooth plus aux connection.
@@colddish hd6xx HD 600 barely have sound stage as it is, it’s not a good indicator for reference They were always very hard to drive properly, two, there is that factor to be considered to, atrium and LIRIC are far easier As for the tribal region, it’s one of the smoothest from any dongle I’ve had here, except the one you mentioned up top which will be coming in the next couple of weeks, absolute tops, so no idea But with all the testing, we have done here, versus some very very heavy hitting equipment up to $700, including the Mojo2, million 500 nothing touches it when it comes to dongles
Man, you make me want to get these. Comparable to Mojo 2. Now that's some hefty praise. I just got the Hiby FC4 to give company to my S12s. I don't want to spend money immediately, but will eventually want to get something better, especially since I will be getting an HP sometime this year.
Good Review Well Done 👍 I got a question for you Did you use cayin ru6 or ru7 r2r dacs? Would you you recommend them? I know size wise and value close each to each other with qc15.
This dongle is great like everything you said. However, I found one thing, only one thing, that can tick the using experience is the gain switch. It is hard stiff switch to move between low and high, but it is also a good thing that it does not move easily.😂
Ordered one (on your rec) but it's not here yet. Got it for IEMs when out walking but I'll be interested to see how this high current amp thing goes with my HiFiMan Aryas.
SQ is very good...except one thing (which is a dealbreaker), the random clicks and pops which makes it very annoying to listen to after some time, even more frustraing is i am not able to pinpoint whats causing it, it is worse in some days some day it works better, I used both a long and short cable still not fixed.
Unfortunately, that’s not the unit, the Mojo2 is exactly the same it’s down to your 5G connection antenna on your phone. Unfortunately even the Diablo suffers the same problem. It’s an indicator of your phone, not having enough signal and the antenna constantly Ricci
@@ConvinceMeAudio Checked with Airplane mode on still some noises are there, then closed all background apps and enabled exclusive USB access for Hiby player which seemed to help, so yes my phone seem to be causing the issue, I have a Mojo 2 as well which interestingly seems less susceptible I think it has bit better noise rejection, but that's expected given its higher price.
This review was Phenomenal sir!!!! I am planning on purchasing a IFI I Can Pro signature for home use and a BTR 7 for on the go with IEM,s. -Senn IE600 -About the same price. What would you pick, BTR 7 or M15?
@@jamesbush2720 for what it does, and its size and the money it costs it’s ridiculous as for the technical aspects, I honestly don’t quite understand I don’t build amplifiers, but most amplifiers lack current that’s half the problem
your review and a comment from another post stating the M15 is better than the MoonDrop MoonRiver TI (which I love) sold me on grabbing this for my computer, so thanks Brah!! I'm new with the iem's but. my Moondrop Kato with the right DAC and ear trips sound like a $6,500 car stereo system... What's strange is there's not a lot of female Audiophiles... maybe they're afraid of The Dongle's out there...
Thank you, I’m glad it was useful to you 🐅 Very few female members active in our community indeed, or maybe they just don’t care to talk about it LOL and just actually enjoy music 😆 Even at shows et cetera
Fascinating question The tonality and portrayal of the track is very different Honestly, I think this will come down to subjectivity and for me, CMA m15 for the tonality
Hello, this device seems quite interesting, especially since it also has a balanced output. Currently I‘ve got the Dragonfly Cobalt, do you know how the M15 compares to that? Thanks in advance!
Hi, I’ve not used that product in such a long time. Honestly it’s very difficult for me to recall But I remember being not overly impressed with the black and the red I find M 15 exceptional
So I thought I'd put in a review request on this video since I don't know how to contact you. Could your review the new premium iFi Audio GoBar Kensei dongle DAC. $449 This is iFi Audio's finest effort on dongle DACs. It's a premium product so that's why I thought of you. Can it replace a desktop dac away from home? Is it worth the extra scratch? How does it compare to your beloved M15? We all need to know.
I've tested this dongle recently. Very good for IEMs but not powerful enough for wired headphones (open-back or otherwise). For the price, I would rather go for something else like the iFi Hip Dacs..
If you were an android, the philosophical question would be, would you know it? LOL, I don’t think I quite understand what you’re referring to, a little more context 😂
@ConvinceMeAudio many thanks for replying, the way you explained the M15 was really great. Its the first time I've stumbled on your channel and will be definitely subscribing. I need some real though about my choice in headphones though. Please reply back dude
@@kirit1665 i’m glad the content of the channel is to your liking, and welcome to the fam 🐅 Let me know what you require Headphones wise, and I’ll do my best
![Megan Thee Stallion - Neva Play (feat. RM) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TpYTyAaTRts/mqdefault.jpg)
I was able to find one on discount for under 200 USD. I didn't need another dongle, I was just curious about Questyle and this seemed like a cheap entry point to sample one of their devices. I've been absolutely floored by it as an all-in-one USB desktop source. I have a Mojo 2, but sonically I prefer the M15. I don't have expensive source equipment, I have an old reliable Zen DAC v1, an EF400, an Earmen Sparrow, and I have a Schiit Lyr3 and the Magni Piety from Niche. I prefer the character of the M15 to all of it. The M15 to the Lyr3 takes a drier amp and makes it sound fluid and glassy. Previously I found ESS-based implementations to be a bit harsh, maybe brittle in the treble, sharp and clear no doubt but a bit too thin for my preference. The M15 (to my ear) extends cleanly in both the lows and highs, is surprising punchy even with some power hungry headphones like the Liric or t60rp Argons, and some high impedance stuff like my 300ohm ZMFs in the Eikon and Auteur Classics. It's clean but full sounding, plenty wide, definitely "wet", I don't hear any dryness or grain. With the 109 Pro it is a near perfect pairing, one I struggle to imagine how it might be improved upon or beaten as a value proposition. I think you nail the highlights of the device in this review and admittedly I was very skeptical before I pulled the trigger. It's one of the pound-for-pound best investments I've made in the hobby. I do wish it had an optical in but for listening from a laptop, macbook, or phone, I prefer it to the more expensive if more versatile Mojo 2. Even with the Mojo 2's DSP correction, the default sound signature of the M15 is money. I've just been drowning myself in trip-hop listening to the 109 and Auteur with this little thing looking at all my bulkier gear and totally considering them redundant. Excellent review, agree 100%, and will continue to evangelize this thing to USB only listeners. I have heard of people having interference, static, feedback, when using it on an Android phone but that hasn't been my experience; however I wouldn't discount those reports either. ✌
aint no way this is cheap
Sold! I'm buying this M15 tomorrow thanks my man excellent review!
Wait ..what …you can plug it into an iPhone WITHOUT going through a camera connection/ power cable …MADNESS.
I just started using my IFI Go Blue in hardwired off my iPhone ( though the aforementioned fuckery) and if you thought the Bluetooth performance was extraordinary..it’s a step up
In performance when wired !
This unit you’re reviewing is super interesting as this maybe something that I may actually consider buying.
Thank you and Best of the New Year to you and yours.
I've been using Shanling UP2 wirelessly because I kept wearing out my USB-C port. I use it with bluetooth on my android set to LDAC 96 kHz 32-bit 990kb/s, but bluetooth _still_ filters those super high frequencies and kills the air of the sound. So I don't get that standing on top of a mountain feeling ever which is important to me.
Whenever I bring this up ppl say "most ppl can't hear those frequencies" or "I can't hear the difference", *sigh*... I'll be happy to go back to wired.
Damn, this is really in depth. But seeing all that expensive equipment behind you, I'd love comparisons with the top of the shelf systems you have there. That could be a good patreon perk - compare the equipment you review on youtube with the absolute best of the best
Although I would love to explore every avenue of combination and reviews, unfortunately time just does not allow, due to the fact that this is not my daytime job, but I’m splitting my time 50-50 at the moment
But as a rule, Patreon members can ask me any questions, and I usually answer in depth in our telegram chats via voice, and we usually discuss a lot more things than ever appear on video
Maybe there is something in this though for the fireside chat series
@@ConvinceMeAudio Have you paired these with the stellia? After seeing your review I'm 90% i'll be getting the stellias.
@@HotRatsAndTheStooges Liric and atrium, apologies those headphones left a long time ago but I don’t see it having any difficulties. In fact, I think it will be great
The tunnel balance I think would play nicely
You should try out the Cayin RU7 it’s the only portable 1-bit DAC in the world and it’s a dongle dac/amp with 400mW of power! I’ve had mine for a few days now and I am hooked! Soundstage is enormous!!
I had a listen at Munich high end, I think it’s coming in soon
@@ConvinceMeAudio Can't wait to hear your thoughts! It is one magnificient piece of hardware. In DSD64 mode, it strikes a great balance between R2R smoothness while retaining the detail of a traditional delta-sigma DAC. Best of both worlds really!
Since this video, the Ifi go blu added 2 new filters (magenta & green) that really improved the sound. Also the new iPhone 15 allows full resolution connection through USB -C, improving on the sound by a large margin over the low rez lightning connector, again. Have you listened to these updates to compare the quest style in 2024? Thanks! P.S. the 15i is coming out right now to replace the 15. Love your channel, subscribed!
👊🎼🎉✨
Bandwidth is oft neglected both FR bandwidth and loop bandwidth. Higher loop bandwidth means feedback has less deleterious effects due to lower feedback loop latency. Current feedback also sounds a lot better. So does discrete. Wider FR bandwidth keeps the sound cleaner. It is all down to lower nonlinear distortion on broadband time varying signals. Something THD or IMD measurements on a single state state sine wave will never reveal!
i'm thinking of getting the M15 and a cheap used iphone as my portable setup, probably better than many DAPs in the market
Unless you’re planning to spend serious money with a PA W, 6000, I recommend it, even Mojo2 with an iPhone is cumbersome as hell
Get an used ipod touch, even cheaper. The M15 will make it a serious portable setup for cheap.
@@johnt3500 not only that, that thing is so thin, it will be very pocketable
How would you compare this to the RU6 from Cayin? I currently have the Cayin but I sometimes crave a lil bit more details, but the sonic characteristics of the RU6 is so satisfying...
This is actually on the way to me, it hasn’t arrived yet when it does. I will update this post.
@@ConvinceMeAudio That's amazing! Thank you for all the quality videos, would appreciate it if you could get your hands on a CA Ara, they're currently my daily driver. I would love to hear your thoughts
@@ConvinceMeAudio I second the request for an RU6 take from you! Awesome to hear that it is in the way to you. 🎉
I sold my M15 for the Cayin RU6. I actually do not find the M15 having wide soundstage despite everyone including CMA feeling otherwise. While the bass is good the treble extremely annoying. I don’t find the M15 suitable for headphones either, my HD6XX sounded weak and congested, again, so annoying that I had to disconnect it from the dongle. In the end I find even the Jcally sounds better especially in the treble department. My Topping G5 which I was able to get at a lower price than M15 beats it in all areas and as a bonus it has Bluetooth plus aux connection.
@@colddish hd6xx HD 600 barely have sound stage as it is, it’s not a good indicator for reference
They were always very hard to drive properly, two, there is that factor to be considered to, atrium and LIRIC are far easier
As for the tribal region, it’s one of the smoothest from any dongle I’ve had here, except the one you mentioned up top which will be coming in the next couple of weeks, absolute tops, so no idea
But with all the testing, we have done here, versus some very very heavy hitting equipment up to $700, including the Mojo2, million 500 nothing touches it when it comes to dongles
Man, you make me want to get these. Comparable to Mojo 2. Now that's some hefty praise. I just got the Hiby FC4 to give company to my S12s. I don't want to spend money immediately, but will eventually want to get something better, especially since I will be getting an HP sometime this year.
thank you for review; I would also love to see a review of TempoTec V6 DAP which is praised for what it can deliver for it's price
Good Review Well Done 👍 I got a question for you Did you use cayin ru6 or ru7 r2r dacs? Would you you recommend them? I know size wise and value close each to each other with qc15.
I would definitely recommend both of them they are exceptional unfortunately they’ve not come in for review yet but I tested them at Munich
This dongle is great like everything you said. However, I found one thing, only one thing, that can tick the using experience is the gain switch. It is hard stiff switch to move between low and high, but it is also a good thing that it does not move easily.😂
How intriguing, the one I have is very clicky tactile, and has no problems, maybe reach out and get a replacement
@@ConvinceMeAudio Interesting, but I don’t think mine is faulty. Possibly inconvenient to adjust switch in the tiny hole of the leather case.
@@laphonhatthakan7468 oh, you’re using that, no doubt, I just use it naked LOL
Ordered one (on your rec) but it's not here yet. Got it for IEMs when out walking but I'll be interested to see how this high current amp thing goes with my HiFiMan Aryas.
SQ is very good...except one thing (which is a dealbreaker), the random clicks and pops which makes it very annoying to listen to after some time, even more frustraing is i am not able to pinpoint whats causing it, it is worse in some days some day it works better, I used both a long and short cable still not fixed.
Unfortunately, that’s not the unit, the Mojo2 is exactly the same it’s down to your 5G connection antenna on your phone. Unfortunately even the Diablo suffers the same problem.
It’s an indicator of your phone, not having enough signal and the antenna constantly Ricci
@@ConvinceMeAudio Checked with Airplane mode on still some noises are there, then closed all background apps and enabled exclusive USB access for Hiby player which seemed to help, so yes my phone seem to be causing the issue, I have a Mojo 2 as well which interestingly seems less susceptible I think it has bit better noise rejection, but that's expected given its higher price.
Great video! I was wondering, how do iFi dongles in a similar price range fare performance and sound-wise? Thank you.
I’m really a big fan of the go blu
But M5 is the next step up by quite a bit
I would love to hear you thoughts on the new and hot Ifi Go Bar.
It and Neo stream are coming
Was interested in this, but as there's no ASIO driver will stick with the Apogee Groove.
This review was Phenomenal sir!!!! I am planning on purchasing a IFI I Can Pro signature for home use and a BTR 7 for on the go with IEM,s. -Senn IE600
-About the same price. What would you pick, BTR 7 or M15?
If you require Bluetooth, the seven, if not, M 15 all the way
@@ConvinceMeAudio Wow!! Thanks for the fast response 👍 🙂 M15 it is. Just need to make my cell phone battery is up to the task... I use my phone a LOT.
@@jamesbush2720 it uses very very low power, scarily, so
@@ConvinceMeAudio ??? That is amazing if it can also drive full size cans with "current drive". How?
@@jamesbush2720 for what it does, and its size and the money it costs it’s ridiculous
as for the technical aspects, I honestly don’t quite understand I don’t build amplifiers, but most amplifiers lack current that’s half the problem
your review and a comment from another post stating the M15 is better than the MoonDrop MoonRiver TI (which I love) sold me on grabbing this for my computer, so thanks Brah!!
I'm new with the iem's but. my Moondrop Kato with the right DAC and ear trips sound like a $6,500 car stereo system...
What's strange is there's not a lot of female Audiophiles... maybe they're afraid of The Dongle's out there...
Thank you, I’m glad it was useful to you 🐅
Very few female members active in our community indeed, or maybe they just don’t care to talk about it LOL and just actually enjoy music 😆
Even at shows et cetera
Which is more musical between M15 and Mojo2?
Fascinating question
The tonality and portrayal of the track is very different
Honestly, I think this will come down to subjectivity and for me, CMA m15 for the tonality
Adding in my request for ru6 vs questyle15. (Try commenting them paired with a mest mk2)-
Thank you😊
Hello, this device seems quite interesting, especially since it also has a balanced output. Currently I‘ve got the Dragonfly Cobalt, do you know how the M15 compares to that? Thanks in advance!
Hi, I’ve not used that product in such a long time. Honestly it’s very difficult for me to recall
But I remember being not overly impressed with the black and the red I find M 15 exceptional
@@ConvinceMeAudio Hi there, thank you for your fast reply! Greetings from Vienna!
So I thought I'd put in a review request on this video since I don't know how to contact you. Could your review the new premium iFi Audio GoBar Kensei dongle DAC. $449 This is iFi Audio's finest effort on dongle DACs. It's a premium product so that's why I thought of you. Can it replace a desktop dac away from home? Is it worth the extra scratch? How does it compare to your beloved M15? We all need to know.
It’s a similar in size to EarMan Colibri…how would you compare it sonically to M15?
That unit has not come in for review as of right now
@@ConvinceMeAudio here is a good review ruclips.net/video/vncj0V5t2uQ/видео.html
how does it compare to DAPs you have tried?
I definitely prefer it over the FIIO M11 pro and some of those are the little ones that sort of dangle below 600 without a doubt
for sounstage and more depth to sound and more reviling is mojo 2 or 15m?
Mojo two is the next level up, I recommend going to that one, but it’s much bigger three times the price and has a battery
please can you tell me which is better ifi go bar or m15 i like smooth sound?
M15
Have you tried ibasso dc03 pro and xduoo link 2 balance?
I've tested this dongle recently. Very good for IEMs but not powerful enough for wired headphones (open-back or otherwise). For the price, I would rather go for something else like the iFi Hip Dacs..
honestly forgot where it placed, but really smooth possibly another 'sweet spotter'
Did this require more setup to plug into phone? it does not work with my oneplus 7t pro, and I've tried every setting
Absolutely not, USBc to USBc you should be fine
Will you review the M15i?
Is that the Weiss DAC?
@@ConvinceMeAudio It’s the new version of the Questyle M15 called the M15i.
@@syanhc oh yes of course, I currently have the CMA18p here for review
@@ConvinceMeAudiolook forward to your thoughts on Cma18p. I have both Cma18p and M15i myself, both compliment one another.
Wonder how this compares to the ifi GO Bar.
It’s the best of under 500 nothing comes close
@8:00 stage???!!! you mean sound-stage ??
Corse
Almost twice the price of a BTR 5 in Canada. No shot.
You guys and Australia, really get the raw end of the deal
By the way, sonically, it’s no competition 😀
@@ConvinceMeAudio what I've never heard can't hurt me.
Fantastic review mate but are you an android or cyborg or even part machine part man
If you were an android, the philosophical question would be, would you know it?
LOL, I don’t think I quite understand what you’re referring to, a little more context
😂
@ConvinceMeAudio many thanks for replying, the way you explained the M15 was really great. Its the first time I've stumbled on your channel and will be definitely subscribing. I need some real though about my choice in headphones though. Please reply back dude
@@kirit1665 i’m glad the content of the channel is to your liking, and welcome to the fam 🐅
Let me know what you require Headphones wise, and I’ll do my best
the m15 is not as powerful for the price....the fiio KA5 has more power at 300 ohms and measurements are better....less half the price
Xounds like ass
FIIO meh
@@ConvinceMeAudioI have the newest version m15i , is not that great honestly for the price - keep drinking the kool-aid lmao your full of sh*t lmao
@@ConvinceMeAudio are u f**ng blind ?
Your lav saturates
M15 is quite poor
is he blind?
nope..he is Neo
are you blind?
I don’t know, let me run really hard into a wall and see 😎