Best Smartphone for audiophile
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Jul 31, 2016 at 8:40 AM Post #3,706 of 7,916
I'm now not so sure...

To clear it up, if someone with a V10 can run UAPP - and see if when opening UAPP it brings up a warning, asking you if you want to use your USB device as a DAC...

The G5/B&O sounds vastly better using the native UAPP drivers than it dose LG's own Hi-Fi drivers.... massive difference - especially in high impedance mode.

 
When i tried my G5/B&O with UAPP i got some volume issues, UAPP even warns about this on startup, that they notified LG about this, but it does not seem fixed ...
 
you did not have this issue ?
 
Jul 31, 2016 at 8:42 AM Post #3,707 of 7,916
I get error initializing USB system's, on my v10 launching UAPP, On 5.1.1 Android. So far power amp alpha is the best sounding player from the ones I have tested on the v10, especially if you tweak the settings, becomes DAP like. IMO
Testing UAPP on the v10 now and it works fine through the internal hi-fi DAC once hi-fi everywhere is activated and you get full gain control in the fly with Alsa app. Sounds really good.

I wish extra steps where added to the volume control in UAPP (user adjustable), this would be great for fine grain adjustments, like 75 or 100 steps for IEM's.
Edit:
Excellent, just found 20, 40 or 50 steps in UAPP options and it's not working on the v10.

 
Could you please outline which poweramp alpha settings you'd recommend for G5\V10 ? :)
 
Jul 31, 2016 at 8:44 AM Post #3,708 of 7,916
Isn't it funny, either EU volume limit at its worst, or no consistency at LG, My G5 only goes up to 75 (15 steps), thankfully UAPP works independently of that.

Looks like UAPP grabbing full control of the module DAC of the G5 might give this handset a plus over the V10.

 
Apologies, it's 75 steps on the V10 as well, my mistake, just double checked.
 
Depends on your headphones, I'm using my IEMs at steps 8 or 13 out of 75, the law is stupid though... Android using increments is just beyond annoying, it's always too loud or quite for sensitive IEMs, it's an easy fix they put off for years...
 
Jul 31, 2016 at 8:10 PM Post #3,711 of 7,916
Love it as reviewed. I don't think I will need another phone for a while :D

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/newestpost/807570


I also think it's a great phone. I think maybe the LG G5 with B&O is slightly better for my tastes as far as music goes, but the HTC is way better as a phone for me. I love the adoptive storage. And the almost Nexus like OS when compared to the LG. It's not without is bugs, most particularly the poor LTE connection and its constant inability to latch on to a network and having to toggle airplane mode to connect. Ah well...
 
Aug 1, 2016 at 6:25 PM Post #3,716 of 7,916
When i tried my G5/B&O with UAPP i got some volume issues, UAPP even warns about this on startup, that they notified LG about this, but it does not seem fixed ...

you did not have this issue ?
I use software volume control, with 40 steps, and the world is a good place :)
 
Aug 1, 2016 at 9:52 PM Post #3,717 of 7,916
http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_367844.html?wid=11
 

DOOGEE X5 MAX Pro 4G Smartphone $79,99

4000mAh Large Capacity Battery Fingerprint Sensor 5.0 inch Android 6.0 MTK6737 Quad Core 2GB RAM 16GB ROM Dual Cameras Bluetooth V4.0 GPS
 
 
It has USB OTG support, so you could strap a USB DAC to it and you'll have a cheap alternative to a HiFi phone.
 
Aug 1, 2016 at 10:23 PM Post #3,718 of 7,916
Thought I would give you guys some super initial impressions of the G5 + B&O Dac vs. the Axon 7, along with a couple photos. I have to say, it's a very close call but the Axon 7 will not be replacing the G5 + DAC for me. 
 
Pros of the G5: 
 
-More authoritative bass and an airier sound quality overall. To me the Axon 7 sounds somewhat "processed" by comparison. I do not like the Atmos setting, but will continue to tweak it and see if I can get it where I want it
 
-With AUX adapter, I can get the G5 to drive to much higher volumes. Out of the box I think the volume of both is a tie, but if you use the AUX cable trick the G5 + DAC will leave the Axon 7 in the dust for volume
 
-B&O DAC can be used in standalone mode without the G5 - might be helpful for some people
 
Pros of the Axon 7: 
 
-Price! This thing was $399, shipped, no tax, with a free $50 pair of headphones and a $25 gift card. For how close it is to the $500 G5 + $225 DAC, I would say it is a much better value
 
-All-in-one solution without finicky modules adding to the bulk of the phone. Also, a HUGE part of this is that the B&O DAC doesn't even work on the USA models of the G5. Huge win for Axon 7 in versatility here
 
-Overall the Axon 7 feels more polished as a phone. I like the screen better, the audio goodies are all nicely packed into the software without having to "fool" anything into a higher gain mode or anything like that and the front facing speakers blow the G5 out of the water
 
 
Which do I prefer? Well that is going to be hard. Judging on sound quality alone, I would probably stick wtih the G5 + DAC. But they are really, really close and I cannot say it is $325 better, or even $100 better. I think the Axon 7 is going to be a REAL winner within our community given how much it offers. Really, really well-done ZTE. 
 
I'll keep listening and tweaking. Maybe I can get that last 1% of sound quality out of the Axon 7 so then it's an easier decision in favor of the ZTE. 
 
Best, 
 
-Collin-
 

 

 
Aug 1, 2016 at 10:51 PM Post #3,720 of 7,916
  Thought I would give you guys some super initial impressions of the G5 + B&O Dac vs. the Axon 7, along with a couple photos. I have to say, it's a very close call but the Axon 7 will not be replacing the G5 + DAC for me. 
 
Pros of the G5: 
 
-More authoritative bass and an airier sound quality overall. To me the Axon 7 sounds somewhat "processed" by comparison. I do not like the Atmos setting, but will continue to tweak it and see if I can get it where I want it
 
-With AUX adapter, I can get the G5 to drive to much higher volumes. Out of the box I think the volume of both is a tie, but if you use the AUX cable trick the G5 + DAC will leave the Axon 7 in the dust for volume
 
-B&O DAC can be used in standalone mode without the G5 - might be helpful for some people
 
Pros of the Axon 7: 
 
-Price! This thing was $399, shipped, no tax, with a free $50 pair of headphones and a $25 gift card. For how close it is to the $500 G5 + $225 DAC, I would say it is a much better value
 
-All-in-one solution without finicky modules adding to the bulk of the phone. Also, a HUGE part of this is that the B&O DAC doesn't even work on the USA models of the G5. Huge win for Axon 7 in versatility here
 
-Overall the Axon 7 feels more polished as a phone. I like the screen better, the audio goodies are all nicely packed into the software without having to "fool" anything into a higher gain mode or anything like that and the front facing speakers blow the G5 out of the water
 
 
Which do I prefer? Well that is going to be hard. Judging on sound quality alone, I would probably stick wtih the G5 + DAC. But they are really, really close and I cannot say it is $325 better, or even $100 better. I think the Axon 7 is going to be a REAL winner within our community given how much it offers. Really, really well-done ZTE. 
 
I'll keep listening and tweaking. Maybe I can get that last 1% of sound quality out of the Axon 7 so then it's an easier decision in favor of the ZTE. 
 
Best, 
 
-Collin-
 

 

Dat music doe!    I kid I kid.
 
Hows the build quality of the axon?  Does it have tap to unlock and sleep?
 
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