Android phones and USB DACs | Page 303 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

DanBa · Apr 12, 2014 at 11:54 AM

bmichels said:
Guys, I will receive my HUGO next wee, and still I am looking for the best source for my HUGO. My main problem with most sources is the limited capacity of the devices to store all those BIG high-res files: I have +200 Gb of music !

--> is there a way to access files stored on a portable WiFi HD ? Like iDevices can play their files stored on a Seagate Wireless Plus 1TB hard drive ?

"Can I play files from my Seagate Wireless Plus on my Android phone or tablet?
Yes. Files can be played back via Wi-Fi."
http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005087en?language=fr

Also as the Seagate Wireless Plus is DLNA/UPnP-compliant, it can be used with DLNA/UPnP-compliant music player like BubbleUPnP:

"Is Seagate Wireless Plus DLNA compliant?
Yes. Please see more information about using Seagate Wireless Plus with DLNA"

bmichels said:
Question: is the Sony Z2 the ONLY Android phone that has (1) option for 24-bit output to external DACs and (2) support for 128 Gb micro-SD card ?

We have limited choice is this is the case !! .....

A USB host-enabled Android device with a microSD slot using UAPP (the best sound quality music player to my ears), like a cheap $40 Azpen A700, can have " (1) option for 24-bit output to external DACs and (2) support for 128 Gb micro-SD card".
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3465#post_9991738

Concerning the native USB audio, as far as I know, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the upcoming Sony Xperia Z2 can have " (1) option for 24-bit output to external DACs and (2) support for 128 Gb micro-SD card".
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3405#post_9963698

pappy97 · Apr 12, 2014 at 12:27 PM

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51832247&postcount=79

FWIW, I plugged in a USB DAC to my stock Nexus 5, rebooted, and everything works just fine. I didn't see anyone reporting the same thing in this thread so I thought I'd share my experience.

Anyone think this is legit? Anyone care to test? Usually such one off comments can't be replicated, but if there was working native USB audio (without UAPP) on a Nexus device (stock, which would be stock android), even if it required a USB DAC plugged in and then reboot, that's still a gamechanger.

DanBa · Apr 12, 2014 at 5:20 PM

Interesting!
I just check the Android Issue Tracker page, and the issue "24614 Add support for USB Audio" is still there.
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/list?cursor=android%3A24614&sort=-stars

Theogenes · Apr 13, 2014 at 12:50 PM

bmichels said:
UAPP is really a good player. it is just Too bad that UAPP cannot access files stored on Wireless HD ! Am I correct ?

bmichels said:
[COLOR=FF0000]--> is there a way to access files stored on a portable WiFi HD ?[/COLOR] Like iDevices can play their files stored on a Seagate Wireless Plus 1TB hard drive ?

thanks again for you help.

Yep, the Ravpower FileHub will allow you to wirelessly connect to an external hard drive (or thumb drive, memory card, etc) and play them from your Android device into an external USB DAC via UAPP. Only allows one file at a time at the moment though. Search back through the past 20-30 pages for more information, part of which I've quoted for you below. Good luck!

theogenes said:
Supposedly, yes. That's actually the reason I went with this unit over other ones. I just tried it though, and it didn't work... But others haven't had any issues, so it's probably just me. Didn't put forth a ton of effort on it, so don't take my inability to get it going as indicative of an actual problem.

@hoekeat
asked if the FileHub can be accessed via samba from an application other than MobileFun, and it appears you can! On his recommendation, I checked out Solid Explorer, and (after monkeying around with it for a bit) got it to access the hard drive. I was able to browse the filesystem and play files, just like with the MobileFun app. (I believe you still need to use the MF app for changing some settings, however). Awesome idea, and it worked! Maybe somebody can find a way to use this to our advantage... Unfortunately, it still only plays one file at a time. Boo bears.

@DanBa: I tried using MobileFun and Solid Explorer to open playlists from the hard drive, but no dice. I even tried to open them with apps other than USBPP, but I just got error messages. (Curiously, USBPP doesn't give an error message when trying to open a playlist, it just doesn't do anything). I tried it with 5 or 6 playlists and it was no-go on all of them. I should say that I never use playlists on my own, so I'm simply assuming the playlists work correctly. But I can't imagine why they wouldn't.

Hope this helps somebody!

EDIT: And yes, it does work while charging.

DanBa · Apr 14, 2014 at 5:56 AM

theogenes said:
Yep, the Ravpower FileHub will allow you to wirelessly connect to an external hard drive (or thumb drive, memory card, etc) and play them from your Android device into an external USB DAC via UAPP. Only allows one file at a time at the moment though.

Hopefully, a DLNA/UPnP server feature will be included, so that you could use DLNA/UPnP-compliant media player like BubbleUPnP: no more one file at a time.

"The only thing that I can say is lacking from the filehub at the moment is DLNA support, but from a query to Ravpower they said this was currently being worked on (although I'm not sure if this will be a firmware update or if it'll be a new device - their email wasn't very clear). But apparently things were due out very soon (they said the end of the month was their aim), so I guess we will see soon."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50614838&postcount=134

A lot of DLNA/UPnP libraries can be integrated in current non-DLNA/UPnP-compliant music players:
http://upnp.org/sdcps-and-certification/resources/sdks/
http://pupnp.sourceforge.net/
http://www.cybergarage.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/UPnPFramework
http://4thline.org/projects/cling/

Marleybob217 · Apr 14, 2014 at 8:43 AM

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have experience (or know anyone) with the Galaxy S4 and the D-zero?

If so, were you able to use the dac from the D-zero?

I would also love to hear from people who the line-out from android devices with good internal dacs (like wolfson) combined with amps.

Thanks a bunch, I always love coming back to head-fi when in need.

phillyd · Apr 14, 2014 at 9:02 AM

marleybob217 said:
Hi Guys,

Does anyone have experience (or know anyone) with the Galaxy S4 and the D-zero?

If so, were you able to use the dac from the D-zero?

I would also love to hear from people who the line-out from android devices with good internal dacs (like wolfson) combined with amps.

Thanks a bunch, I always love coming back to head-fi when in need.

Not sure if this will be helpful, but the D-Zero works fine as a DAC from the Galaxy Note 3

Marleybob217 · Apr 14, 2014 at 11:52 AM

phillyd said:
Not sure if this will be helpful, but the D-Zero works fine as a DAC from the Galaxy Note 3

Thanks!

I've also read somewhere that it should work with the GS4. I think I'll just try to sell my DX50 and go for the D-Zero then!

The DX50 is pretty awesome, yet there is audible noise with my cIEMs.
Also, there are some amazing music playing apps for android devices. The DX50 interface just cannot compete with them.

DanBa · Apr 14, 2014 at 4:19 PM

marleybob217 said:
Does anyone have experience (or know anyone) with the Galaxy S4 and the D-zero?

Android USB audio resource lists:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4485#post_10438894

"A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samung Galaxy S4:
stock Samsung Galaxy S4 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> standard USB DAC>> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/dIwrqp
...
. iBasso D-Zero (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headfonia.com/fiio-e7-meet-your-rival-the-ibasso-d-zero/
http://bit.ly/1bE3YRh
..."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3285#post_9902702

DanBa · Apr 15, 2014 at 3:36 PM

Resonessence Labs Herus & Android USB audio: "Work nice with Sony Xperia Z natively"
https://twitter.com/Gybrid/status/445854903009685504

NZtechfreak · Apr 15, 2014 at 4:17 PM

Interesting about the Herus working natively, only problem being that there won't be any volume control without UAPP right?

White Lotus · Apr 15, 2014 at 7:14 PM

Just upgraded my Galaxy S4 to 4.4 stock Android.

Wow, Xposed Framework is fantastic.

inertianinja · Apr 16, 2014 at 11:47 PM

pappy97 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51832247&postcount=79

Anyone think this is legit? Anyone care to test? Usually such one off comments can't be replicated, but if there was working native USB audio (without UAPP) on a Nexus device (stock, which would be stock android), even if it required a USB DAC plugged in and then reboot, that's still a gamechanger.

Confirmed NOT working.

However I just found this: http://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus5/comments/21dvyk/usb_audio_for_external_dac_on_stock_rom_need/

I have not tested it yet, though.

Marleybob217 · Apr 18, 2014 at 8:23 AM

danba said:
Android USB audio resource lists:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4485#post_10438894

"A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samung Galaxy S4:
stock Samsung Galaxy S4 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> standard USB DAC>> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/dIwrqp
...
. iBasso D-Zero (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headfonia.com/fiio-e7-meet-your-rival-the-ibasso-d-zero/
http://bit.ly/1bE3YRh
..."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3285#post_9902702

Thanks everyone.

Right now I'm bidding on a D-Zero on ebay. I'm from Europe and it is surprisingly hard get my hands on a D-Zero.
Does anyone know of a Europe based store that sells them?

Coop · Apr 18, 2014 at 9:52 AM

marleybob217 said:
Thanks everyone.

Right now I'm bidding on a D-Zero on ebay. I'm from Europe and it is surprisingly hard get my hands on a D-Zero.
Does anyone know of a Europe based store that sells them?

Just order from Mp4nation.net . They're in Hong Kong, but they're a reliable vendor that has been in the business for years. Ordered from them many times and always received great service.

Also, they have free 2-day fedex shipping to the Netherlands

http://www.mp4nation.net/electronics/audio-amplifiers/ibasso-d-zero-high-performance-dac-headphone-amplifier

Latest Thread Images

DanBa

Headphoneus Supremus

pappy97

Head-Fier

DanBa

Headphoneus Supremus

Theogenes

Headphoneus Supremus

DanBa

Headphoneus Supremus

Marleybob217

Headphoneus Supremus

phillyd

500+ Head-Fier

Marleybob217

Headphoneus Supremus

DanBa

Headphoneus Supremus

DanBa

Headphoneus Supremus

NZtechfreak

Headphoneus Supremus

White Lotus

Reviewer for Stereo.net.au

inertianinja

500+ Head-Fier

Marleybob217

Headphoneus Supremus

Coop

500+ Head-Fier

Users who are viewing this thread