Latest Thread Images

Android phones and USB DACs
Aug 20, 2013 at 6:48 PM Post #2,941 of 9,526
m-i-c-k-e-y said:
Nope sorry, mine is an Xperia Z.
Had experienced those clicking sound before i can't remember what i did.
I increased the buffer or removed some background apps (facebook, skype etc.).

After 4 months of using, by then had numerous updates (phone and app). And it was doing well, so i could not tell.

Its just this 2 weeks when I updated to the new phone firmware that gave me problems again.


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...


Well, I don't have any problems neither with Galaxy S3. Question of phone I guess.

I have nothing running in the background, in fact, I have almost nothing installed on Sola. i don't even have a sim card in it...

Tried diffferent buffer settings - no good.

But I think I noticed one pattern: clicks are more numerous and more pronounced when playing higher sampling rates files. I.e. i have little to no clicks playing 44.1/16 files, gets worse on 24/96, and probably even worse on 24/192...
 
Aug 20, 2013 at 10:27 PM Post #2,942 of 9,526
Quote:
danba said:
 
 
A probable competitor of the 32/384 M2Tech hiFace DAC: the upcoming 32/384 Light Harmonic GEEK: 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavn8r/geek-a-new-usb-awesomifier-for-headphones
https://www.facebook.com/LightHarmonic
 
"Hey audiophile geeks! I just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a $300 USB DAC/Headphone amp that does 32/384 and DSD128, engineered by Light Harmonic. Early backers can get it for $99.
[$99 for 100 super early adopters: all gone!
$119 for 200 early adopters: all gone!
$139 for 500 still kinda early adopters: all gone!
$159 for 500 you’re pushing it adopters: on going]
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavn8r/geek-a-new-usb-awesomifier-for-headphones/pledge/new?clicked_reward=false
 
An on-the-go, high-res DAC and headphone amp that plugs into your computer's USB port. Your videos, music, & games will rule!
 
GEEK takes a lot of the technology we developed when we were researching Da Vinci DAC,
http://www.audiostream.com/content/light-harmonic-da-vinci-dac
and squeezes it into one tiny little package that we plan on selling for $299 retail.  Stick it into your laptop and plug in your headphones!"
 
 

 

 
 
"What DAC Chip are you using?
We're using the TI PCM1795 DAC IC.
 
What USB Asynchronous chip it use?
SMSC USB3343
 
Does GEEK have volume control?
Yes. there are two buttons on the side of the device that control volume up/down, mute, and 3D on/off.
 
Will GEEK work on all computer operating systems?
Every operating system that has native support for USB 2.0 will work without the need to load a driver.
 
Would the Geek also work with my Nexus 10 Tablet connecting it using an OTG USB cable?
We haven't tested that. In theory it will work, but keep in mind that GEEK's amplifier is pure class A. While not playing sound it doesn't draw power. But when sound is on, it draws A LOT of power."
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavn8r/geek-a-new-usb-awesomifier-for-headphones/comments
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2670#post_9639021
 
 
GEEK vs. the Others
http://mustgeekout.blogspot.fr/2013/08/geek-vs-others.html
 
Click to expand...


Danba, I have been watching this too, however the statement in the description saying" But when sound is on it draws a lot of power"( obviously the class A amp ), might be a problem for Android phones. That being said, my post's about my next step being to add a "USB isolator board" Teralink ADuM4160 USB Isolator board  has pretty much gone unnoticed. It separates the power and signal in the USB plug. Most importantly for those of us pursuing the best implementation of Android phones and DAC's, it provides a separate power supply for the USB DAC and isolation to the signal of any power supply noise. This unit can be used with your DAC of choice, and won't drain the phones battery! I plan to power mine with a 9v, 550ma rechargeable Li -ion battery for portable use. I kinda thought this is a no brainer. satwilson
 
Aug 21, 2013 at 2:03 AM Post #2,944 of 9,526
danba said:
Yes, apparently a clean 5V from an external battery should improve the USB DAC sound.
Click to expand...


Sure, but this means we're yet another step away from portability...
 
Aug 21, 2013 at 2:26 AM Post #2,945 of 9,526
Which is why I would prefer a DAC with its own battery. My iBasso D-Zero pulls no power as far as I know, at least with the charge function disabled, and runs for a long time on its battery so its quite portable. Its very small and is easy to hold in one hand along with a smartphone or tablet. The problem that remains of course is the sketchy USB audio support from one device to the next, particularly if you want to play your music with something besides USB Audio Recorder Pro.
 
Aug 21, 2013 at 9:38 AM Post #2,946 of 9,526
Quote:
devhen said:
Which is why I would prefer a DAC with its own battery. My iBasso D-Zero pulls no power as far as I know, at least with the charge function disabled, and runs for a long time on its battery so its quite portable. Its very small and is easy to hold in one hand along with a smartphone or tablet. The problem that remains of course is the sketchy USB audio support from one device to the next, particularly if you want to play your music with something besides USB Audio Recorder Pro.
Click to expand...


I agree a self powered DAC would be best, however the devil is in the details. I considered the D-Zero and the FiiO E17 as they both have the "no charge function" option. However I already have a DAC with Wolfson chip(they both use the WM8740) and I wanted to use the Sabre, plus neither has an amp I would consider optimum for my T50RP's. The photos in Danba's post show a battery pack that would be OK for the laptop, but as SV_huMMer points out, might not meet his definition as portable for our phones. Obviously these are all personal and subjective choices DAC/amp/portability etc. I have ordered the USB isolator board as mentioned in my previous post and after I have tested it and like the results envision mounting it in an enclosure with the Sabre DAC hardwired including the OTG cable. Hopefully then I will have a self powered Sabre DAC.
 
@ SV_huMMer, your photo showing the power consumption of the HiFace @ 100ma has me wishing I could afford one. Obviously a top choice DAC for the phones.
 
Aug 21, 2013 at 3:22 PM Post #2,948 of 9,526
devhen said:
Which is why I would prefer a DAC with its own battery. My iBasso D-Zero pulls no power as far as I know, at least with the charge function disabled, and runs for a long time on its battery so its quite portable.
Click to expand...


Interestingly enough, my RSA Predator is battery powered in the amp section, but is bus powered in the DAC part. That's what Ray told me. However, its battery charging cirquit is completely separate from USB, and uses a dedicated round plug.

I love the fact that the Predator has a rechargeable li-ion battery, excellent battery life (two 9-hour flights without recharging did not drain it). But it's a pity its DAC section claims such high power from the host... For a device which was ment to be portable, this is a sad design flaw. I only hope Mr. Samuels reads these posts, and would make necessary corrections in future products, just like Headamp did with Pico.
 
Aug 21, 2013 at 6:07 PM Post #2,949 of 9,526
Quote:
sv_hummer said:
Sure, but this means we're yet another step away from portability...
Click to expand...

 
A portable USB battery charger like the Sony CP-F1L and a tiny USB DAC/amp like the Light Harmonic Geek are less bulky than a lot of portable USB DAC/amp.
 

 
 
Quote:
satwilson said:
Obviously these are all personal and subjective choices DAC/amp/portability etc. 
Click to expand...

 
Yes, there are a lot of portable rig use cases.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Aug 22, 2013 at 8:14 AM Post #2,950 of 9,526
Good news, my Galaxy S2 detects and can use both a mouse and a USB stick using my otg cable ! I will be ordering the HiFiMeDIY dac next but I'm still waiting for a reply to a question I sent them.
 
Aug 23, 2013 at 5:46 PM Post #2,954 of 9,526
I have my galaxy s4 > OTG cable > AQ dragonfly > shure SE530's running with USB audio recorder pro and it sounds great. My question is: I was able to change the volume through but mixer tab. However, It seems as though the precision of the volume control with my setup leaves much to be desired. The tiniest changes result it huge volume swings. It's almost impossible to get a good volume because i can't use my finger to move the bar in small enough increments. Has anyone else found a solution for this?
 
Aug 24, 2013 at 7:48 AM Post #2,955 of 9,526
I'm having some trouble... Yesterday when i was auditioning the PHA-1, I had some issues with syncing it with my Xperia Z.. but once i got it down, everything sounds find..
 
Today when I BOUGHT the PHA-1, it can sync with my Xperia Z.. but now it has clicking noises and interference during playback.. I can't seem to find where is the problem at!!! argghh... only yesterday everything was working fine, but when i bought it, this clicking issue happens.. help guys!!  
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 10 (members: 0, guests: 10)
Back
Top