FWIW, I have experienced (in retrospect) qualia without consciousness. When I wake in the morning, usually it is either from dreams or from dreamless sleep, but a few times, when I have awakened, I have realised that for the last few minutes I had been lying there idly ruminating about random stuff, as I might do while awake, but without being aware of myself. Experience was there, but no awareness of experience. Then consciousness turned on and I was able to observe what had just been happening.
FWIW, I have experienced (in retrospect) qualia without consciousness. When I wake in the morning, usually it is either from dreams or from dreamless sleep, but a few times, when I have awakened, I have realised that for the last few minutes I had been lying there idly ruminating about random stuff, as I might do while awake, but without being aware of myself. Experience was there, but no awareness of experience. Then consciousness turned on and I was able to observe what had just been happening.
I do not think it is a useful state of mind.