This unique DAC completely ends the AKM vs ESS debate! Ampapa Q1 review @PassionforSound
This unique DAC completely ends the AKM vs ESS debate! Ampapa Q1 review  @PassionforSound
Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ampapa Q1 DAC review
Amzn* - amzn.to/3RuXCEZ
Ali Express* - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4mIb1Y5

Ampapa BK1 stand
Amzn* - amzn.to/3Q51ITN
Ali Express* - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c39vUlHJ

Get 10% off the amazing Grell OAE2 headphones here: upf.ai/4cznel7q
Discount code: PASSIONFORSOUND10
Watch the OAE2 review - youtube.com/watch?v=En9vsbHapZM

Join my channel to chat with me: bit.ly/PFSMember

Need help? Message me on Minnect: bit.ly/HiFiHelp

Get MERCH! bit.ly/PFSMerch

In this video, I review the Ampapa Q1 DAC, a highly versatile budget DAC packed with features for audiophiles and music lovers. Retailing around $270 (and found on Amazon for $230), the Q1 offers a unique dual-DAC design featuring both an AKM AK4493 and an ESS ES9039 DAC chip. You can switch between them via the remote control to customize your sound stage, note weight, and detail retrieval.

It pairs perfectly with the Ampapa D1 speaker amp on the matching BK1 metal stand. The Q1 includes USB-C, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth inputs (with aptX HD), balanced TRS and RCA analog outputs, plus a 3.5mm headphone amp socket. Best of all, it supports op-amp rolling for ultimate sound quality customization!

Key Specifications:
DAC Chips: AKM AK4493 & ESS ES9039
Inputs: USB-C, Optical, Coaxial, Bluetooth (aptX HD)
Outputs: Stereo RCA, Balanced TRS, 12V Trigger
Headphone Jack: 3.5mm (up to 1W @ 32 Ohms)

How do you feel about managing two separate remote controls for your stack, or would you prefer a single unified remote?

*affiliate links help support the channel - thank you!

BEST AUDIO BARGAINS BELOW!

World's Best Cable Pro interconnects
Review - bit.ly/44b8KtW
Global* - amzn.to/3UOFtAN

Tipsy M1 IEM
Review - bit.ly/48del5v
tipsyaudio.com

Apos Gremlin headphone amp
Review - bit.ly/43FZjna
Global* - bit.ly/GremlinAmp

SMSL M20 DAC & headamp
Review - bit.ly/4oManqu
Global* - amzn.to/3YRxG79

Schiit Mimir DAC
Review - bit.ly/4r3cuaI
Global - bit.ly/484APo8

FiiO FT1 headphones
Review - bit.ly/4lfVCLd
Global* - amzn.to/4iC4VTG

Thieaudio Cypher headphones
Review - youtu.be/B7WT17V6WeI
Global* - bit.ly/TACypher

FiiO M21 digital audio player
Review - bit.ly/3K3PzeU
US & CA* - bit.ly/FiiOM21DAP
Global*: amzn.to/3HS7wfe

xDuoo TA-66 tube amp
Review - bit.ly/448jRoo
US & CA* - bit.ly/xDuooTA-66
Global* - amzn.to/3VWWSYS

SMSL AS400 speaker amp & DAC
Review - bit.ly/480NiZQ
Global* - amzn.to/3JkFxWi

FiiO K13 R2R DAC & headamp
Review - youtu.be/qlPbNWTQQTI
Global* - amzn.to/48r94WU
US & CA* - bit.ly/K13R2RPFS

Ampapa D1 amp
Review - youtu.be/dr7vB-HYPhk
Global* - amzn.to/49Lm3Dn

ADAM D3V active speakers
Review - bit.ly/4rhHeoO
Global* - amzn.to/4hw2Doo

SMSL RAW-DAC1 DAC
Review - bit.ly/43EXDKC
Global* - amzn.to/4hgqgkJ
US & CA* - bit.ly/RAWDAC1

Singxer SA-2 headamp
Review - youtu.be/xC_qVj0pL08
Global* - amzn.to/3ZiTTeq
US & CA* - bit.ly/SingxerSA2A

SMSL PL200T CD transport
Review - bit.ly/4o9LDaE
Global* - amzn.to/3IKlkIQ
US & CA* - bit.ly/SMSLPL200T

Nitsch Pietus Maximus headamp
Review - bit.ly/49nY3Yy
Global - bit.ly/3JQqkwC

Shanling EC Zero T portable CD player
Global* - amzn.to/47U9RR1

Chord Mojo 2 DAC & headphone amp
Review - bit.ly/43F0Rhg
Global* - amzn.to/3E5GNKj

Geshelli Lbs Torc DAC
Review - youtu.be/VMvv24qgws4
Global* - bit.ly/GLTorc

SJY Horizon Closed Carbon headphones
Review - bit.ly/3DTKMd5
Global* - bit.ly/SJYHCCA

ZMF Bokeh headphones
Review - bit.ly/4hXLhAN
Global - bit.ly/42vMLwo

EverSolo T8 streamer
Review - bit.ly/4pdmo7V
Global* - amzn.to/4gjdSkx

Topping D900 DAC
Review - bit.ly/4oJNoMP
Global* - amzn.to/44D157g
US & CA* - bit.ly/TopD900

Vinshine Taihang power conditioner
Review - youtu.be/fJb7rNnUed4
Global - bit.ly/VinTaihang (not affiliate)

ADAM A7V active speakers
Review - bit.ly/4i2hO8L
Global* - amzn.to/43mIbma

Burson Soloist Stellar head/preamp
Review - youtu.be/mjgFlmzTiDQ
Burson - bursonaudio.com/shop/soloist-stellar
US & CA* - bit.ly/SoloistStellar

LTA Velo headamp/preamp
Review - bit.ly/42Eeknp
Global - bit.ly/LTAVelo

Gustard X30 DAC
Review - bit.ly/4p93yij
Global* - bit.ly/GUSTARDX30
Amzn* - amzn.to/3LenKRj

00:00 Ampapa Q1 review
01:49 Design & features
04:28 Q1 & D1 pairing
08:57 Sound quality
17:36 Final thoughts

#Audiophile #HiFiAudio #AmpapaQ1 #Ampapa #DACReview #PassionForSound
This unique DAC completely ends the AKM vs ESS debate! Ampapa Q1 reviewLet these IEMs amaze you! Luxear Valor reviewThis headphone sounds ELECTRIFYING for the price!Tune your HiFi to perfection with these! Ricable Invictus, Dedalus & Magnus USBThis is what real tube tone sounds like! Schiit Valhalla 3 reviewDont Spend $429 on a CD player when you could spend $270!New headphone tech revolutionising sound quality! Genesis One headphoneStop wasting money on hi-fi speakers! Edifier MR5 reviewxDuoo MX-02 review: Your Bluetooth Audio Is Terrible — This $99 Device Fixes It!This tiny device remembers everything! Omi AI reviewChallenging a legend! Which headphone will win?Finally, a reference headphone done right! Thieaudio Cypher review
Passion for Sound |

This unique DAC completely ends the AKM vs ESS debate! Ampapa Q1 review

SHARE TO X SHARE TO REDDIT SHARE TO FACEBOOK WALLPAPER