Android phones and USB DACs
Feb 20, 2017 at 4:03 PM Post #8,791 of 9,526
Unfortunately, my laptop died, and I'm using a work laptop. As a result, I'm unable to download the files I need to root the device.

Do you know of a way to root it without a PC? I would also root my LG V10.


You could do it on the work computer by booting a LiveCD Linux and doing everything needed from in there.
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 12:00 PM Post #8,792 of 9,526
The DFR doesn't work with UAPP. The usb didn't recognize the DFR. Can i get the Galaxy S3 to work or will i have to pick between the two?

I just got my stock FreedomPop Galaxy S3, SPH-L710, running KitKat 4.4.2. Native Android will light up the DFR magenta, but I get no playback. UAPP works, though.

My other DAC, the Vamp Verza, works flawlessly which is not surprising since it was designed specifically for the S3 and iPhone 5 but lost functionality with the Galaxy S4.
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 1:41 PM Post #8,793 of 9,526
I just got my stock FreedomPop Galaxy S3, SPH-L710, running KitKat 4.4.2. Native Android will light up the DFR magenta, but I get no playback. UAPP works, though.

My other DAC, the Vamp Verza, works flawlessly which is not surprising since it was designed specifically for the S3 and iPhone 5 but lost functionality with the Galaxy S4.


Yeah, I should have just paid more and gotten a Galaxy S5. That would have avoided my dac compatibility issue.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 6:48 PM Post #8,794 of 9,526
Hey,
i just bought a new smartphone (leeco le pro 3) and i plan to replace my cayin i5 with it + a dac/amp as the i5 has some issues i cant really live with.
Now i would most likely take some battery free dac with a small form factor such as a dfr.
I have already searched headfi for possible dac's and came up with this short list of possibilitys:
shanling up
dfr
cozoy aegis
cozoy astrapi
has anyone here listened to one or more of those devices and could put together a short comparison in sq and tuning?
If possible also with a comparison to the i5 as this was my first dap/dac/amp and i dont have other devices i could take as a basis for a comparison.
I already ordered an up from amazon btw as it was discounted and its no problem to ship it back if i do not like it as much as i need to like it to keep it.
But for both cozoy i would probably have to order from penon and it would be a little more of an effort to ship it back there from here in germany.
Thanks for any help in advance!
 
p.s. i would use an ibasso it03 with any of these dac's.
 
Feb 26, 2017 at 12:57 AM Post #8,795 of 9,526
If it is me I would look for A portable dac+amp+battery. So that it will not drain my CP. In the FS Amp section there is an LH-Labs Geek Out 2+.

If form factor (small size, no battery), like you want, in the FS Amp section a LH-Labs GO 2A Infinity.

Both DACs can go balanced (TRRS), do DSD128, power larger cans (switch to 1000w), and one of the best sounding out there (especially the later).
 
Feb 26, 2017 at 3:28 AM Post #8,796 of 9,526
If it is me I would look for A portable dac+amp+battery. So that it will not drain my CP. In the FS Amp section there is an LH-Labs Geek Out 2+.

If form factor (small size, no battery), like you want, in the FS Amp section a LH-Labs GO 2A Infinity.

Both DACs can go balanced (TRRS), do DSD128, power larger cans (switch to 1000w), and one of the best sounding out there (especially the later).

First of all thank you for your answer!
Both look promising.
The 2+ is a little bit expensive though (cant fond a price rn as I'm mobile with ****ty internet but I think I've read before that its over 1000$) and I would really love to keep the size as small as possible (therefore all the USB stick sized examples).
the 2a infinity gets closer to my ideal, though it is still a little big. The balanced out is a great feature although I don't know if I would use it enough to actually need it in the next year or so (before maybe getting a balanced cable).
The size is manageable though I guess if it performs accordingly.
Can you say something about battery drain? Do so I know how many mA it needs on the lowest gain setting?
I did chose a smartphone with 4000mAh specifically for the purpose of a battery free dac so I think it should hold up quite well but knowing what you've experienced would also help a lot.
 
Feb 27, 2017 at 9:59 AM Post #8,797 of 9,526
Will it draw too much power from the phone? Or is it compatible with a OTG Cable / iPhone CCK?
 
Feb 27, 2017 at 10:22 AM Post #8,798 of 9,526
Got a Geek Out 1W and have Samsung Note 3. It's about 4 hours on one (3200mah) battery. But note that its a full 1W DAC Amp all the time. Later LH GO models you have selection of 100mah (IEM), 1W(Full HP) and 450mah (to some select GO models for modest powered HP).  
 
If you go these route. I suggest look for it in the FS thread or Amazon. Buying direct to them may take a long time.
 
Feb 28, 2017 at 8:27 AM Post #8,800 of 9,526
I found the mother thread!
 
I reviewed the list of android compatible DAC's, and the sound blaster E1 work with my xperia Z5 with no apparent frequency loss. Hiby is kinda lost tho, if I let the app take control of the USB deviece, the music is bugged and does small skips all the time.
 
Feb 28, 2017 at 10:21 AM Post #8,802 of 9,526
Android can do 24/192 only. Whereas these apps w/ their special usb drivers can access the full potential of your device.
 
Feb 28, 2017 at 10:43 AM Post #8,803 of 9,526
It's a pity that there are no custom ROMs/Kernels based on the variety of Android based DAPs on the market; they seem to have re-written the ROM/Kernel to properly handle the full capability of the DAC in the device. It would be an easy way to build a DAP from a cheap Chinese OEM phone.
 
Unfortunately in the Android developer world these sort of devices seem to be too niche to get any attention.
 
Feb 28, 2017 at 11:35 AM Post #8,804 of 9,526
AFAIK (others please correct me). Early Android Kernels don't access USB DACs, this is where Apps w/ dedicated USB drivers and custom ROMs came in.

Later Android integrated some USB Audio support but limited to 24/192.

Don't know with Android 7.
 
Feb 28, 2017 at 12:36 PM Post #8,805 of 9,526
I'm fairly sure that prior to Android 5 [Lollipop] USB Audio was device specific with some device manufacturers including it and others not. I'm guessing that they did this at a Kernel level, from Android 5 on USB is supposed to be universally supported, although as we all know the actual implementation can be hit and miss and so far as I can see this hasn't changed with the introduction of Android 7 [Nougat] although I think the audio_policy is now dealt with as an XML configuration file which may make reconfiguration easier.
 
The fact that device manufacturers were able to do USB Audio properly under Android 4 [KitKat] ,along with some current DAP manufacturers, and certain app makers have found a way to properly implement USB Audio I can't see why proper control of USB Audio can't be brought back to Android. I guess the only thing stopping them is the fact they think the audio straight out of the headphone jack is good enough for the vast majority of consumers; perhaps dropping the headphone out and moving solely to digital out will change this, although the push for wireless could stifle further development of USB Audio.
 
The Xperia Z3 running it's original stock ROM seemed to be a favourite for this use as it worked natively with USB Audio devices although I don't think it managed stuff like DSD.
 

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