Rafal, BT dongle will most likely not work, they require usually software. The USB supports audio stream input only. Once I have time I can try. What works for sure are BT receivers. I recommend the ones with dig. Out.
Thanks Andrea! What I try to said is if you have conected an external HD on the usb port. I thing to buy one and play music right from an usb 3 external HD (and WD Passport 1T)
Hey Andreas, great review! I have this hooked up to my pc thru the usb connector and that works fine, but I miss using my realtec audio manager, which apparently only works when connected to the green 3.5 on my pc. Is there a way around that while still having the DAC working?
Servus! Nices Review! Wollte mal fragen ob du zufälligerweiße schon mal den Amp an einen Subwoofer angeschlossen hast ( natürlich mit Hochpegeleingängen) ? Bei meinem SA-S3 geht das ja leider nicht da in 99% der Subwoofer ne Monoschaltung ist und Class H damit nicht zurecht kommt, zwecks potentialfreier Masse ( LS Masse ist NICHT Gehäuse bzw Stromversorgungsmasse). Grüße!
Hi Steelcuts, nein ich hab noch keinen Sub angeschlossen. Aber wenn die Massen der HP-Eingänge verbunden sind, dann würde ich mal Bipolare Elkos dazwischenschalten oder den Subwoofer Hersteller befragen ;-)
Hi Andreas, I'm Ulrik, I have a question - at 6:08, you say that the Q5 works 'perfectly well, connected to a PC'. I also expected the amp to be plug-and-play - using a USB-cable with connection-cable mini to normal USB-size. But.. My MEDION PC with Windows 10 does NOT 'recognize' the amp, when I connect my USB cable - it comes up with an 'Error 43' and the the amp is not coming through. Can you please help, please? It's mainly a compatibility or 'recognition'-issue, it seems Do I need another driver? Windows says driver is all right, I have a Realtek HD Audio configuration, that was installed on the PC from the vendor. Thank you Sincerely Ulrik
hello there. am i right? there is no more bug with missing channel, and line inputs works with any source and works as expected (no distortion et.c.)? thank you for advance
Hey Andreas thank you for your review. Did you have any luck with the S5? I have an S6 and wanted to use the mini USB input port. Could use the aux with a cable or bluetooth adapter but I feel this is not ideal.
Danke für die gute Produktvorstellung. Mich würde interessieren, wie die Audioqualität des analogen Einganges ist. Bei den Amazonas Reviews (wahrscheinlich von Version 1) gab es dazu sehr negative Aussagen.
Der analoge Eingang funktioniert bei mir ohne Tadel. Ich habe da testweise einen DAC drangehängt. Klang gut, wenn auch die dig. Eingänge noch besser sind. Das sind aber Nuancen. Wenn du eh nur Analogzuspieler hast, empfehle ich den SA-50 :-)
Andreas Geke Dein Review ist ja auch noch mal sehr hilfreich und informativ. Ich denke ich werde den Q5 dann mal ausprobieren. Bei deinen Lautsprechern dachte ich zunächst “Was soll das denn. “ Aber jetzt bin ich ziemlich angefixt. Ein Video dazu wäre sicherlich auch sehr interessant. ;-) bis dahin werden ein paar JBL Contol One daran angeschlossen.
BlauSchauer Was willst du denn auf nem Video für die Vifantastisch sehen? ;-) Besser du baust die einfach mal schnell auf. 40€ sind ja nix im Vergleich zum Ergebnis. :-)
+mpxz999 Now I have a TDK Lamda AC/DC as mains power supply. It is 24V - ~8A. I think it does generate a more stable stage and punch is bit better. BUT my speakers are very easy to drive - no crossover ;-) Just 8cm FullRange with no Baffle Step. I also added a Bluetooth receiver from BELKIN with Digital Out. Great sound but sometimes I get some noise, once I stop the music to play....!? Its gone, once I continue to run music...
My first unit was also 19V although they had in the spec 24V. I assume it was a trial to overcome the left channel power on bug. :-) Still, 19V are fine for most use cases IMHO.
Dinesh Singh, It has a PCM to PWM converter inside. Not really a DAC. Simply, this unit converts and amplifies digital signals in a very efficient way. If you do not know electronics, just enjoy the magic. ☺️
Rafal, I cannot reply to your message (for whatever reason) therefore here: I did not hear anything from that amp you shared. I know some guys like the Sure amp: store.sure-electronics.com/1aa925 But: this has analog input. Also BT is converted to analog before entering the chip... Alternative: Q5 + BT receiver with digital output. (Yamaha) That gives you little loss. ;-) But these dig. out BT receivers are a bit costly...
Jacky Le It's called "Fullrange" and it works quite well for a 20 Bucks Speaker. Also has advantages against 2-3Way setups. I can only recommend to try. 😃
Your Samsung Galaxy S5 didn't work because, unlike the S4, Samsung dropped support for USB OTG on the S5. The LG phones (such as the G3) do support USB OTG, and any device that supports this should work with the USB input. iDevices may fail however, because Apple gives no F**ks
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 84 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องศึก vs เมืองไทย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3kuzsAIDf1c/mqdefault.jpg)
I Just purchased one SMSL Q5Pro for 128 bucks on ebay AU cant wait till it arrives
Rafal, BT dongle will most likely not work, they require usually software. The USB supports audio stream input only. Once I have time I can try. What works for sure are BT receivers. I recommend the ones with dig. Out.
Thanks Andrea! What I try to said is if you have conected an external HD on the usb port. I thing to buy one and play music right from an usb 3 external HD (and WD Passport 1T)
No, this unit has no player software & hardware inside. USB is just for audio input!
Ok!! Thanks Andreas!
Your comment got spamblocked. I let it through. looks great.
Thanks! :-)
24V power supply was a bad idea. It killed my Q5 after a few months. Choose ~19V, if you plan for alternative PSU.
Are there any functions that can only be done with the remote? For example, can I switch inputs without the remote?
Hey Andreas, great review! I have this hooked up to my pc thru the usb connector and that works fine, but I miss using my realtec audio manager, which apparently only works when connected to the green 3.5 on my pc. Is there a way around that while still having the DAC working?
Servus! Nices Review! Wollte mal fragen ob du zufälligerweiße schon mal den Amp an einen Subwoofer angeschlossen hast ( natürlich mit Hochpegeleingängen) ? Bei meinem SA-S3 geht das ja leider nicht da in 99% der Subwoofer ne Monoschaltung ist und Class H damit nicht zurecht kommt, zwecks potentialfreier Masse ( LS Masse ist NICHT Gehäuse bzw Stromversorgungsmasse). Grüße!
Hi Steelcuts, nein ich hab noch keinen Sub angeschlossen. Aber wenn die Massen der HP-Eingänge verbunden sind, dann würde ich mal Bipolare Elkos dazwischenschalten oder den Subwoofer Hersteller befragen ;-)
Hi Andreas, I'm Ulrik, I have a question - at 6:08, you say that the Q5 works 'perfectly well, connected to a PC'. I also expected the amp to be plug-and-play - using a USB-cable with connection-cable mini to normal USB-size. But..
My MEDION PC with Windows 10 does NOT 'recognize' the amp, when I connect my USB cable - it comes up with an 'Error 43' and the the amp is not coming through. Can you please help, please? It's mainly a compatibility or 'recognition'-issue, it seems
Do I need another driver? Windows says driver is all right, I have a Realtek HD Audio configuration, that was installed on the PC from the vendor.
Thank you
Sincerely
Ulrik
hello there. am i right? there is no more bug with missing channel, and line inputs works with any source and works as expected (no distortion et.c.)? thank you for advance
Correct
Hi Ulrik, try using ASIO4all. It helped me for other issues or multiple USB audio devices.
Hey Andreas thank you for your review. Did you have any luck with the S5? I have an S6 and wanted to use the mini USB input port. Could use the aux with a cable or bluetooth adapter but I feel this is not ideal.
Peter Byrne - I use Google Chromecast Audio now with the optical connection. Good enough for my needs.
WILL THE USB INPUT WORK WITH A MAC? ALSO Z"S REVIEW SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ANALOG INPUTS. HAS THIS BEEN SOLVED
Sorry I am not owning a fruit product... But analog input works good although I have not measured the input voltage range...
How does this amp compare to the likes of previous topping amps...2024,2020 or even the new 3116 amp (SA-60)
I can compare to the SMSL S-3. The S3 is more round, sounded, bit Tube-Sounded. The Q5 feels straight, controlled more like a wire... IMO
Danke für die gute Produktvorstellung. Mich würde interessieren, wie die Audioqualität des analogen Einganges ist. Bei den Amazonas Reviews (wahrscheinlich von Version 1) gab es dazu sehr negative Aussagen.
Der analoge Eingang funktioniert bei mir ohne Tadel. Ich habe da testweise einen DAC drangehängt. Klang gut, wenn auch die dig. Eingänge noch besser sind. Das sind aber Nuancen. Wenn du eh nur Analogzuspieler hast, empfehle ich den SA-50 :-)
Bei Amazon hab ich nun auch was getextet. Ich hoffe es hilft.
Andreas Geke Dein Review ist ja auch noch mal sehr hilfreich und informativ. Ich denke ich werde den Q5 dann mal ausprobieren. Bei deinen Lautsprechern dachte ich zunächst “Was soll das denn. “ Aber jetzt bin ich ziemlich angefixt. Ein Video dazu wäre sicherlich auch sehr interessant. ;-) bis dahin werden ein paar JBL Contol One daran angeschlossen.
BlauSchauer Bau die mal... ;-)
BlauSchauer Was willst du denn auf nem Video für die Vifantastisch sehen? ;-) Besser du baust die einfach mal schnell auf. 40€ sind ja nix im Vergleich zum Ergebnis. :-)
Hi Andreas! Weisst Du zufällig, ob man ein Firmware Update machen kann? Habe Rev 1 und das Teil ist echt nervig.
What is that black thing you have Q5 sitting on top of?
Are you still using the Q5?
And, do you use anything with it that you did not mention in video? (Dac?)
Thanks for the review!
No - just use it as described. Next is a powerful power supply... from TDK Lamda
+mpxz999 Now I have a TDK Lamda AC/DC as mains power supply. It is 24V - ~8A. I think it does generate a more stable stage and punch is bit better. BUT my speakers are very easy to drive - no crossover ;-) Just 8cm FullRange with no Baffle Step.
I also added a Bluetooth receiver from BELKIN with Digital Out. Great sound but sometimes I get some noise, once I stop the music to play....!? Its gone, once I continue to run music...
How can one tell if they are purchasing a rev 2 ? Is there anything would identify it as rev 2 from pictures on Ebay etc..?
No, new units should be Rev 2 now. Just ask the seller.
From what I've read, Rev 2 should have a 19V power supply.
My first unit was also 19V although they had in the spec 24V. I assume it was a trial to overcome the left channel power on bug. :-) Still, 19V are fine for most use cases IMHO.
Someone tried an alternative Power Supply?
Ah, well there you go.
could you please tell me about the sound quality,and if it is watt rating output is true.thanks in advance
Wattage is true - you can refer to the specs of the ST chip.
Andreas G: Could you please tell me the model number of the ST IC?, I know the earlier class-D Amps had poor levels of distortion.
Was this just a firmware update on the "old" Q5, or did you buy that one new as "Rev.2"?
I just asked for a unit without the bugs. They sell now regularly - no message about Rev. upgrade. Maybe there are some old units still around.
BTW, there is no FW upgrade offered, so you need a new unit. I guess they changed also some HW especially for power on.
Andreas Geke Thanks!
Do you have a product link, where rev.2 can be bought?
All units now are Rev 2
+Andreas Geke I went further, Rev.3 can be bought ;) It was released at September.
+Nicolas Siver Anything new in Rev 3?
+Andreas Geke Don't know all details, less power consumption, mini-usb, I assume some bugs are fixed. Anyway It's a work on errors ;)
Can you switch between inputs? I want to plug in my TiVo via Toslink and my Chrmecast Audio via 3.5mm.
Andy Pastuszak chromecast audio to be connected via Toslink. 😃
Can I add passive sub woofer to this please ? Pioneer Passive Sub Woofer S-Slw500
No, you need an active sub
Sure you can switch between USB, Optical, wired digital, and analog cinch.
Everything can be done by remote and on the unit itself.
Analog input works as expected. I have a MUSE USB mini DAC connected. For MAC - no possibility to check sorry.
warum hast du nochmal extra einen DAC vorgeschaltet ?
Der Mini DAC wandelt nur das USB Signal in ein SPDIF für den COAX Eingang. Den Analog Ausgang des DAC, also den eigentlichen DAC nutze ich garnicht.
Will this work with the Bose Acoustimass 3 Series V?
Sure - but this is too good for Bose :-)
Hi! do you tested with some usb external hard drive PC format?
Hi Javier - do not know what you exactly mean. I connected the USB to a Win 8.1 PC and worked straight ahead.
can i connect an iPhone5S/iPad2 to SMSL Q5
Don't know, you need to try...!
Great review!! Does it have a DAC built in?
Dinesh Singh, It has a PCM to PWM converter inside. Not really a DAC. Simply, this unit converts and amplifies digital signals in a very efficient way. If you do not know electronics, just enjoy the magic. ☺️
are those back loaded horns?
Enio Nery These are straight transmission lines with one folding. Extremely easy to build, go down to 57Hz - 3dB
Andreas Geke awsome! can you share the details for drivers and schematics? i'll build one and i'll give credit to you.
Enio Nery It's a design out of a DIY Forum in Germany not my design: www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-267-246.html
Rafal, I cannot reply to your message (for whatever reason) therefore here:
I did not hear anything from that amp you shared. I know some guys like the Sure amp: store.sure-electronics.com/1aa925
But: this has analog input. Also BT is converted to analog before entering the chip...
Alternative: Q5 + BT receiver with digital output. (Yamaha) That gives you little loss. ;-)
But these dig. out BT receivers are a bit costly...
thank you!!
the amp seems to distort after volume level 26
Would be even nicer if DSP was bass, mid and treble.
It's an Amazon Fire TV
소리 죽이네...
all the range mixed each other, quite bad quality.
Jacky Le It's called "Fullrange" and it works quite well for a 20 Bucks Speaker. Also has advantages against 2-3Way setups. I can only recommend to try. 😃
colloquium
Thanks, this is a great review update on th-cam.com/video/9bxf8_WzGrI/w-d-xo.html !
Your Samsung Galaxy S5 didn't work because, unlike the S4, Samsung dropped support for USB OTG on the S5. The LG phones (such as the G3) do support USB OTG, and any device that supports this should work with the USB input. iDevices may fail however, because Apple gives no F**ks
Hi Nick, I think there is something else. My S5 works via OTG if it's connected to a USB DAC (MUSE).... !?
Andreas Geke Thats interesting do you know if the s7 also supports android via otg?