That was awesome Dave, such a detailed walk through, your passion and respect is so true to see when we review what these devices can achieve within its footprint. A great review covered so much yet not overload of data specs and numbers. Your honesty and openness really helps solidify if this products fits for me, great content Dave and a great review.😊
@@CowboyTheScientistpretty sure this channel looked at it. The canjam video by this channel at the 9 min mark checks it out. Looks like it's gonna be priced at the OG btr7 price but it has an actual Knob for volume and control. Looks really clean
My M15i is literally the only thing I have on my table lol. For me its really all I need. Connect to my PC mainly and when I need to go somewhere just connect it to my phone. I been using it a lot on my HarmonicDyne Zues Elite and love it :)
I was thinking about getting the iBasso DC-Elite, but I saw a really good price on the M15i (190€ for a new set) that I will probably get this one instead. Thanks for the great review Dave :)
Thats nice. I am really torn between a portable dac/amp like mojo2 vs a DAP. People say that DAPS get old really fast, like 3-5 years time while a portable DAC with my phone would be best. Whats your opinion on this? How would it compare a DAC like CM18p or Mojo2 with the sony WM1ZM2? Im between the SP3000M/T and the sony now for DAPS and CM18p or mojo 2 for portable DAC if going this route
Hi, can u elaborate the difference between an ESS chip dongle like M15i vs a CS43198 like L&P W2 & Onyx. I own both L&P W2 & Onyx. Tuning Onyx is warmer but the sound characteristics are the same even w2 is leaning towards clinical side. How is Onyx different from R2R like RU7 & FC1. Thx
I am classical musiciabn and bought a great computer, but now is time to do serious searches to buy my DAC, headphones, and amplifier. Your set makes me understand that i need to make a serious investment
I recently purchased the aune yuki se dongle to pare it with the hype 4. The yuki se kills the base and treble makes the hype 4 sound generic ano much better than Bluetooth ear buds maby clear, but that's it. I love my base and treble, and clarity is just a bonus. The hype 4 was the full package for me, especially for gaming it does wonders with footsteps and multi direction awareness. My question is, will the m15 allow the hype 4 to thrive. Because im currently using an adapter that i found on Amazon for 12 dollars. I think it's called the m1 32 bit/384 Hz. And it's a little louder than the yuki, but what i like about that adapter is that it allows charity, allows base, and treble. At least for iems its really hard to beat. Yuki se was $100, and it's getting beat by a $12 dongle, at least for the iems. question : Is the m15 allow me to keep the sound signature of the hype 4 without killing the base and treble. I paid good money for those iems, and i want them to sound like they are supposed to be.
Hello! Thanks for the review! How does this compare to Fiio Ka17! I was considering upgrading from ka17 to DC-Elite… but this m15i could be worth it if better than ka17.
Are you going to review the Aune Yuki SE anytime soon? TRN TE is another one to look at. I have the Dunu DTC 800 through Amazon Hifigo store and it’s pretty good. Thanks Dave for recommending and reviewing it.
David, I want to thank you for taking the time to review this dongle DAC, although I am quite satisfied with the handful of dongles I already own, especially the ONIX.
Okay guys, I have a question. I've been using an Audioquest Cobalt for a couple years in my Jeep Cherokee streaming TIDAL. Great improvement. I want to up grade. Any suggestions? I'd like to stay under $450. Seems like the DC elite is getting very high praise but the iFi Go Bar Kensei with the Xbass and Xspace might work better in my Cherokee. No need to school me that a Jeep Cherokee is not a good environment for critical listening.
If I want to use a DAC for music, gaming and movie on phone, laptop and sometimes tv with Sony MDR-Z1R and MDR-MV1 with accurate intended sound, should I get USB DAC like Questyle M15i or DAP like Sony NW-ZX707? If just DAC alone so the ZX707 sound better than M15i? Will the see through layout on the M15i make it not good for noise shielding? One Taiwanese YTer said the ZX707 will down sample Apple Music unless you use the native Walkman player app and as USB DAC, is this changed or android DAP before android 13 all behave like that? How ZX707 able to drive MDR-Z1R if it listed as 64ohm while capped ZX707 has 32ohm while uncapped ZX707 has 16ohm
Loved the review. But the lack of volume and other buttons on the dongle kinda hurt it. When I'm out and about, I find it easier to reach into my pocket and find the buttons on my Onix to go to the next track or restart or pause. And the value of the Onix is tough to beat. Of course I'm pairing it w my Dita Project M. I agree that the Alpha set a new bar and now we're seeing it beaten albeit at a higher price point.
in your videos I never see a single grain of dust, it's impressive! you must live in a surgery room :))) thanks for the video, this device looks really interesting, considering also the affordable price (the iBasso it definitely too much...)
You should do a huge ABX test of all the top dongles from the last few years. Pretty sure we're reinventing the wheel over and over but I'd love to be proven wrong.
We're not. The KA17 is demonstrably veiled via a 0.5 dB cutout in the mid-treble around 6-9 kHz, it's not neutral, so there's a meaningful choice to be made between it and other potentially neutral devices. Manufacturers are still messing with these sources' frequency response to give people various flavors of the illusion of "quality" and to make us keep buying.
Sounds a little warmer and more colored than the M15i. The M12i is a beast tho. I use it out and about and use the M15i at home when I want to melt in my music. Wows me every time.
i’ve had 3 to compare: Apple dongle, Dragonfly Red & the M15i & I could not tell the difference between any of the 3. They all sounded exactly the same.
That's great for you. Doesn't mean too much standalone, though. Were they with higher-end IEMs/headphones? Were they tested back-to-back? Was the music chosen a high-resolution mastering of the piece? Were you in a low-noise environment? Do you have significant experience comparing audio equipment and significant familiarity with the other gear and your music of choice? Without at least most of those factors, it's pretty easy for everything to sound more or less "the same". After a certain point, a DAC or amp are going to have little to no benefit without other bottlenecks out of the way, and for better or worse, there tends to be a lot of bottlenecks in the way of that level of distinction. Diminishing returns hits hard in Audio, hence all the snakeoil and marketing fluff that even relatively reputable brands get away with.
I think you need to sit down and really listen to the music. Of course it also depends on which IEM or headphone you have. I agree w casual listening while out and about walking my dog... its hard to hear a difference. But when I add the dac to my macbook sitting at home... yeah you can hear a difference. Also of course it depends on the type of music you're listening to. Of the ones you listed... the Apple Dongle is probably the best overall value. What? $12.00 or so?
@@Avruthlelbh Yup great for me. I was switching between, Moondrop Variations for my IEM & a pair of Dan Clark Aeon X’s open backs. But if I have to be in a NASA sound controlled environment using something like Tidal for high resolution listening then I think that answers my question, i don’t need a DAC.
In theory, you can calculate the approximate power output at 32 Ohms by doubling the power for each halving of the impedance. e.g. 300 Ohms = 12 mW 150 Ohms = 24 mW 75 Ohms = 48 mW 37.5 Ohms (our closest to 32 Ohms) = 96 mW I'd say then that it will do 100 mW into 32 Ohms and 200 mW into 16 Ohms.
I'm using the original version of the M15, together with the Thieaudio Hype4 and a Sennheiser HD660S2. I really enjoy both on the M15. It's powering the 660s2 very well. There's more than enough power on low gain, I still use less than half the device volume, but I use high gain because I feel a tiny improvement in dynamics. It's also powering the Hype4 tremendously, a bit too much maybe. There's no noise at all, and it sounds amazing, but it does make me bring the volume down a lot. On my laptop, I use 12-14/100 on high gain with the 660s2, and 4-/100 on low gain with the Hype4.
Someone in my Discord server had the same problem with his M15i, unfortunately. His headphones were EXTREMELY sensitive (about 120dB, if I recall correctly).
@@J4sonkempson you get a whole extra 3.7 dB with the Q5K over the M15i. It's really not that much. Besides the Q5K ime really does not sound good compared to better sources.
Dave is great, but the M15 is everywhere, and he should have obtained one to make the comparison. It was a massive hit, and I think many would be curious to hear his take on any performance difference.
Hello sir, There’s a long version below if you have time ! In short: I am using 7Hz Salnotes zero, I need a good sounding warm bass IEM between 20/80 dollars. Or max $100. Would love a beautiful detailed sound coz I sometimes enjoy listing to high note female vocals! In “not” so short: A big time listener of your content on IEMs, every time I search for an IEM, I see your videos. I need your very serious advice on my new purchase and I hope for a solution if you may provide 😊… I am searching for a good IEM around price of 20 - max to max 100 dollars. I would prefer a price of around 50 dollar as comfortable range. Coming on to the main thing, I am looking for a detailed bass and smooth overall frequency response! Fit nice in ears. I have a few items in my mind like For around 20 dollars : zero 2. 80 dollars: Hexa, because I like exceptional details (but I want more bass). Also those crinicle zero red and blue (but I’ve heard that they do not have a good signature) and delci is good too but I heard you said it is kinda shallow and might not fit in ears that well! Btw if that’s not a real prominent issue, then I’m ready to buy this one! I would really like the klanar but its hard for me to spend this much at this small age (21) with a basic salary! Sonus is also a decent option but for that, you said it has a timber issue due to the BA driver! Allso if this issue is not that serious, I’m ready for this too! Can you please give me a cure for my confusion and recumbent me a good balance between the above mentioned options! Also please feel free to suggest your own top pics too! I am eagerly looking for your reply. Harsh
That was awesome Dave, such a detailed walk through, your passion and respect is so true to see when we review what these devices can achieve within its footprint. A great review covered so much yet not overload of data specs and numbers. Your honesty and openness really helps solidify if this products fits for me, great content Dave and a great review.😊
I’m really looking forward to Dave getting his hands on the FiiO BTR17 and the Muse M5 Ultra… the dongle game is heating up.
what a quality/professionally shot review.🙏🏻👍
I can't wait for you to review the fiio btr17
So do I
Don't buy it!! Heating issue.
BTR17? I can’t find nothing on the product. Not even pictures
It looks good. Anyone know release time frame?
@@CowboyTheScientistpretty sure this channel looked at it. The canjam video by this channel at the 9 min mark checks it out. Looks like it's gonna be priced at the OG btr7 price but it has an actual Knob for volume and control. Looks really clean
My M15i is literally the only thing I have on my table lol. For me its really all I need. Connect to my PC mainly and when I need to go somewhere just connect it to my phone. I been using it a lot on my HarmonicDyne Zues Elite and love it :)
After years of owning dongle DACs, I finally began using one of them (a Hidizs) on my computer (although it does gets extremely hot).
I was thinking about getting the iBasso DC-Elite, but I saw a really good price on the M15i (190€ for a new set) that I will probably get this one instead. Thanks for the great review Dave :)
Thats nice. I am really torn between a portable dac/amp like mojo2 vs a DAP. People say that DAPS get old really fast, like 3-5 years time while a portable DAC with my phone would be best. Whats your opinion on this? How would it compare a DAC like CM18p or Mojo2 with the sony WM1ZM2? Im between the SP3000M/T and the sony now for DAPS and CM18p or mojo 2 for portable DAC if going this route
Excellent review as always. Its the year of excellent dongles and planars.
great review, I just picked them up on Amazon for 140, flash sales plus a 20% discount... exited to get it.
Just bought the Luna and Onix because of Gizaudio, now this!?! 😊
How does Onyx Alpha compares to m15i?
Hi, can u elaborate the difference between an ESS chip dongle like M15i vs a CS43198 like L&P W2 & Onyx. I own both L&P W2 & Onyx. Tuning Onyx is warmer but the sound characteristics are the same even w2 is leaning towards clinical side. How is Onyx different from R2R like RU7 & FC1. Thx
I am classical musiciabn and bought a great computer, but now is time to do serious searches to buy my DAC, headphones, and amplifier. Your set makes me understand that i need to make a serious investment
I recently purchased the aune yuki se dongle to pare it with the hype 4. The yuki se kills the base and treble makes the hype 4 sound generic ano much better than Bluetooth ear buds maby clear, but that's it. I love my base and treble, and clarity is just a bonus. The hype 4 was the full package for me, especially for gaming it does wonders with footsteps and multi direction awareness. My question is, will the m15 allow the hype 4 to thrive. Because im currently using an adapter that i found on Amazon for 12 dollars. I think it's called the m1 32 bit/384 Hz. And it's a little louder than the yuki, but what i like about that adapter is that it allows charity, allows base, and treble. At least for iems its really hard to beat. Yuki se was $100, and it's getting beat by a $12 dongle, at least for the iems. question : Is the m15 allow me to keep the sound signature of the hype 4 without killing the base and treble. I paid good money for those iems, and i want them to sound like they are supposed to be.
Hello! Thanks for the review! How does this compare to Fiio Ka17! I was considering upgrading from ka17 to DC-Elite… but this m15i could be worth it if better than ka17.
What are differences/upgrades from the og m15?
Will you be looking at the iBasso DC07pro too? Thanks!
Are you going to review the Aune Yuki SE anytime soon? TRN TE is another one to look at. I have the Dunu DTC 800 through Amazon Hifigo store and it’s pretty good. Thanks Dave for recommending and reviewing it.
David, I want to thank you for taking the time to review this dongle DAC, although I am quite satisfied with the handful of dongles I already own, especially the ONIX.
Imagine and separation-this is something that makes me consider getting this DAC.
1:43 Bro may I know which bookshelf speakers are they on stands?
Will there delay if use it to play movies and videos on phone, laptop and tv?
Hi which one would recommend between dc-elite and dc07 pro if dc-elite is 100 then how much will you score dc07?
Would be nice if you could compare it with Cayin RU7
Have you tried the Mojo 2 with IEMs would be interested to see how it would compare to dongles in this day and age.
Okay guys, I have a question. I've been using an Audioquest Cobalt for a couple years in my Jeep Cherokee streaming TIDAL. Great improvement. I want to up grade. Any suggestions? I'd like to stay under $450. Seems like the DC elite is getting very high praise but the iFi Go Bar Kensei with the Xbass and Xspace might work better in my Cherokee. No need to school me that a Jeep Cherokee is not a good environment for critical listening.
If I want to use a DAC for music, gaming and movie on phone, laptop and sometimes tv with Sony MDR-Z1R and MDR-MV1 with accurate intended sound, should I get USB DAC like Questyle M15i or DAP like Sony NW-ZX707? If just DAC alone so the ZX707 sound better than M15i? Will the see through layout on the M15i make it not good for noise shielding? One Taiwanese YTer said the ZX707 will down sample Apple Music unless you use the native Walkman player app and as USB DAC, is this changed or android DAP before android 13 all behave like that? How ZX707 able to drive MDR-Z1R if it listed as 64ohm while capped ZX707 has 32ohm while uncapped ZX707 has 16ohm
Thanks.
At 10:56 into the video you talk about the M59.
Was that meant to be the M15i or who makes the M59 ?
How's the volume headroom?
With M15 on MacBook with MEST 2, my max limit with 3 bar volume on low gain.🤦🏻♂️
Loved the review.
But the lack of volume and other buttons on the dongle kinda hurt it.
When I'm out and about, I find it easier to reach into my pocket and find the buttons on my Onix to go to the next track or restart or pause.
And the value of the Onix is tough to beat.
Of course I'm pairing it w my Dita Project M.
I agree that the Alpha set a new bar and now we're seeing it beaten albeit at a higher price point.
Can't wait for reviews on both the Fiio BTR17 and the new Fiio KA15
Questyle M15i is something I like hehe. Dave will you share your review on the FiiO KA15?? I would love to hear your take on that one.
in your videos I never see a single grain of dust, it's impressive! you must live in a surgery room :))) thanks for the video, this device looks really interesting, considering also the affordable price (the iBasso it definitely too much...)
You make pretty and informative videos.
Did you compare M15i with Muse M5 ultra? Do they have similar tuning?
Imagine if phones made the space for a compact version of this dac.
ibasso dc07 pro?
You should do a huge ABX test of all the top dongles from the last few years. Pretty sure we're reinventing the wheel over and over but I'd love to be proven wrong.
We're not. The KA17 is demonstrably veiled via a 0.5 dB cutout in the mid-treble around 6-9 kHz, it's not neutral, so there's a meaningful choice to be made between it and other potentially neutral devices. Manufacturers are still messing with these sources' frequency response to give people various flavors of the illusion of "quality" and to make us keep buying.
have you tried the m12i? i wonder what the difference is. i have the m12i and think sounds pretty good
Sounds a little warmer and more colored than the M15i. The M12i is a beast tho. I use it out and about and use the M15i at home when I want to melt in my music. Wows me every time.
@@Rsalmond83 oh cool good to know, thank you
Ka15 & 13 review ?
i’ve had 3 to compare: Apple dongle, Dragonfly Red & the M15i & I could not tell the difference between any of the 3. They all sounded exactly the same.
That's great for you. Doesn't mean too much standalone, though. Were they with higher-end IEMs/headphones? Were they tested back-to-back? Was the music chosen a high-resolution mastering of the piece? Were you in a low-noise environment? Do you have significant experience comparing audio equipment and significant familiarity with the other gear and your music of choice?
Without at least most of those factors, it's pretty easy for everything to sound more or less "the same". After a certain point, a DAC or amp are going to have little to no benefit without other bottlenecks out of the way, and for better or worse, there tends to be a lot of bottlenecks in the way of that level of distinction. Diminishing returns hits hard in Audio, hence all the snakeoil and marketing fluff that even relatively reputable brands get away with.
They only make different in a low impedance headphone
I think you need to sit down and really listen to the music. Of course it also depends on which IEM or headphone you have.
I agree w casual listening while out and about walking my dog... its hard to hear a difference. But when I add the dac to my macbook sitting at home... yeah you can hear a difference. Also of course it depends on the type of music you're listening to.
Of the ones you listed... the Apple Dongle is probably the best overall value. What? $12.00 or so?
@@Avruthlelbh Yup great for me. I was switching between, Moondrop Variations for my IEM & a pair of Dan Clark Aeon X’s open backs. But if I have to be in a NASA sound controlled environment using something like Tidal for high resolution listening then I think that answers my question, i don’t need a DAC.
Depends on a lot. If you're just listening to a Bluetooth stream on the lowest bit rate, for example, then sure, you may not need anything better.
Next challenger,
iFi Kensei ? 😏
How does it compare to onix alpha
They're the one who made this transparent window design popular 3:54
Now you need to try the ovidius B1
So many IEM boys.... Got to test these dongles with over ears, preferably planars.
i hate that i feel too stupid to understand =...( i just got these 1990 pros and i just wana know if it can handle that =(
In theory, you can calculate the approximate power output at 32 Ohms by doubling the power for each halving of the impedance.
e.g.
300 Ohms = 12 mW
150 Ohms = 24 mW
75 Ohms = 48 mW
37.5 Ohms (our closest to 32 Ohms) = 96 mW
I'd say then that it will do 100 mW into 32 Ohms and 200 mW into 16 Ohms.
I'm using the original version of the M15, together with the Thieaudio Hype4 and a Sennheiser HD660S2. I really enjoy both on the M15. It's powering the 660s2 very well. There's more than enough power on low gain, I still use less than half the device volume, but I use high gain because I feel a tiny improvement in dynamics. It's also powering the Hype4 tremendously, a bit too much maybe. There's no noise at all, and it sounds amazing, but it does make me bring the volume down a lot. On my laptop, I use 12-14/100 on high gain with the 660s2, and 4-/100 on low gain with the Hype4.
Qudelix t71?
Thanks Dave ❤ or Cary Grant...
M15i sounds amazing with my u4s, but the noise floor man, completely unbearable
Someone in my Discord server had the same problem with his M15i, unfortunately. His headphones were EXTREMELY sensitive (about 120dB, if I recall correctly).
Would love to see these ABX'd. Questyle M15 and an Apple dongle sound essentially the same for example.
Not enough power for my hd600's then
Still loud enough to give you hearing damage. 108db for 3.5mm and 111db for 4.4mm.
How loud do you need to go? I have the M15 first gen and it gets plenty loud with HD600
I'll stick with my qudelix's 4vrms, id rather have some in reserve
Lol you mean using your hd600's as a stereo speaker system. I used to do that with my Sennheiser HD 280's.
@@J4sonkempson you get a whole extra 3.7 dB with the Q5K over the M15i. It's really not that much. Besides the Q5K ime really does not sound good compared to better sources.
Why not to buy used R2R player, for exactly the same amount of money, I don't get it. Used Hiby RS2 will put this poor thing to a dust
M15 and M15i are basically the same
Dave is great, but the M15 is everywhere, and he should have obtained one to make the comparison. It was a massive hit, and I think many would be curious to hear his take on any performance difference.
Fiio ka15 please...
Trash
Hello sir,
There’s a long version below if you have time !
In short:
I am using 7Hz Salnotes zero, I need a good sounding warm bass IEM between 20/80 dollars. Or max $100.
Would love a beautiful detailed sound coz I sometimes enjoy listing to high note female vocals!
In “not” so short:
A big time listener of your content on IEMs, every time I search for an IEM, I see your videos.
I need your very serious advice on my new purchase and I hope for a solution if you may provide 😊…
I am searching for a good IEM around price of 20 - max to max 100 dollars. I would prefer a price of around 50 dollar as comfortable range.
Coming on to the main thing,
I am looking for a detailed bass and smooth overall frequency response!
Fit nice in ears.
I have a few items in my mind like
For around 20 dollars : zero 2.
80 dollars: Hexa, because I like exceptional details (but I want more bass).
Also those crinicle zero red and blue (but I’ve heard that they do not have a good signature)
and delci is good too but I heard you said it is kinda shallow and might not fit in ears that well! Btw if that’s not a real prominent issue, then I’m ready to buy this one!
I would really like the klanar but its hard for me to spend this much at this small age (21) with a basic salary!
Sonus is also a decent option but for that, you said it has a timber issue due to the BA driver! Allso if this issue is not that serious, I’m ready for this too!
Can you please give me a cure for my confusion and recumbent me a good balance between the above mentioned options!
Also please feel free to suggest your own top pics too!
I am eagerly looking for your reply.
Harsh
Thank You
Hi Everyone ! Have a nice day 🎉
Nice week 🎉
Happy Life ❤