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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 18:06:38 GMT
Surprised there is no thread on this tiny little box. Plugged mine in today, hardly believing anything that small could do anything worth writing about. Not set up properly yet.... The sound quality for the price is staggering. Will set up properly tomorrow in daylight and compare to a Nait 3. Sound pretty good so far. What other experiences are there ? I know Jules and Paul (slinger) have them. How to improve that mains input ?  Picture added |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2018 18:26:35 GMT
I'm looking forward to receiving mine, Mike  Is it a 19V DC laptop type charger, switched mode? Then yes, you could do better. I'm running my current SMSL T-amp on 14V using a Paul Hynes linear PSU module. I remember using a 22-0-22V transformer in it so the raw DC should be high enough for me to increase the output to around 18-19V regulated. I'll let you know once I've swapped over and had a listen. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 18:32:53 GMT
With us soon ! Being technical - It's a little black box with a Figure 8 input for mains, spindly cable in and out. Like the one I have for my laptop so maybe 19V DC. Why 19V ? Sorry no idea  Will look to see if marked or in the destructions. |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 24, 2018 18:33:55 GMT
Good stuff Mike!
Actually I don't have the Q5, I have a lesser model without DAC for TV duties but it's still damn good for what I need.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2018 18:38:35 GMT
Probably similar to my SMSL then, Jules.
Mike, it should be on the label. I'm just guessing, but most laptops use 19V for charging and it looks like one of those.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 24, 2018 18:50:17 GMT
yes mine is a 19v SMSL branded switched psu ...
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Post by Slinger on Feb 24, 2018 18:51:25 GMT
yes mine is a 19v SMSL branded switched psu ... And my Q5 says 19v on the power socket. |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 24, 2018 18:51:29 GMT
I remember Jerry using the Q5 in his main rig and being very surprised at how well it fared ...
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Post by Slinger on Feb 24, 2018 19:04:27 GMT
I think more people should hear the Q5 because although it's not a "game changer" as such the quality you get, and the convenience of having a DAC and amp combined, at such a low price, is pretty incredible. Of course, it's not going to replace your five-grand-and-up amp and your two grand plus DAC, but with an old pair of speakers and a digital source you've got a great second/third/fourth/whatever system with quality that you probably wouldn't have believed possible. I predict that it would bring many smiles to many faces once they'd overcome the "Chinese" and "Cheap" labels.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2018 19:23:31 GMT
I'm already an SMSL convert so I'm looking forward to receiving my Q5. One look inside these things and you do get the idea of quality build and a lot for your money.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 24, 2018 19:32:04 GMT
With us soon ! Being technical - It's a little black box with a Figure 8 input for mains, spindly cable in and out. Like the one I have for my laptop so maybe 19V DC. Why 19V ? Sorry no idea Will look to see if marked or in the destructions. I've got a spare linear PSU Mike that can be set for anything up to 24 VDC - it's 7kg, a bit of a beast, so might be overkill for your Q5! |
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Post by brian2957 on Feb 24, 2018 20:05:45 GMT
Which seller did you buy it from Mike ?
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 20:17:51 GMT
With us soon ! Being technical - It's a little black box with a Figure 8 input for mains, spindly cable in and out. Like the one I have for my laptop so maybe 19V DC. Why 19V ? Sorry no idea Will look to see if marked or in the destructions. I've got a spare linear PSU Mike that can be set for anything up to 24 VDC - it's 7kg, a bit of a beast, so might be overkill for your Q5! Thanks Jules. Maybe a bit smaller and lighter ! This is going in the bedroom |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 20:19:41 GMT
Which seller did you buy it from Mike ? The wonderfully named bige_bag |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 20:20:52 GMT
yes mine is a 19v SMSL branded switched psu ... And my Q5 says 19v on the power socket. So that's where they hid it ! |
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Post by brian2957 on Feb 24, 2018 20:27:04 GMT
Which seller did you buy it from Mike ? The wonderfully named bige_bag Thanks Mike . |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2018 21:35:26 GMT
19V on case as per Slingers very own
Manual shows 24V !
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2018 7:52:06 GMT
I'm already an SMSL convert so I'm looking forward to receiving my Q5. One look inside these things and you do get the idea of quality build and a lot for your money. Lovely workmanship, nice I like the Bulk Cap fitting good idea. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 28, 2018 11:23:59 GMT
Comparison of the Q5 to a Naim Nait 3.
Pioneer stable platter CD player. Kimber KCAG into Nait. NAIM NACA5 (might be 4) into Linn Saras.
CDP and Nait sitting on RDC cones with the 2 part bases, granite placemats on both
Mavis sounded ok.
Q5, QED Coax lead into Q5, sitting only on its own rubber feet no weight on top. Power supplied by SMSL 19v laptop type supply and mains leads.
Subtle differences only.
Bass more prominent, perhaps more detail.
Q5 is a stayer especially as I now have a remote.
Assume RDC cones and a weight will improve it further.
PSU for Q5 should also pull up the quality.
Cannot get over how very small it is.
Such performance from a box a bit bigger than a fag packet
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2018 13:31:00 GMT
Wow, that is quite a compliment for the SMSL Mike, putting it into a proper system! Tiny size and tiny price. |
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