[DanBa]

"<Updating Firmware and Galaxy S3 Circuit Change>"
http://www.venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/index.php
 
Kudos to VentureCraft !
 
Unlike other USB DAC manufacturers, VentureCraft has tested the Galaxy S3 and subsequently modified the firmware and hardware of its pre mass-production Go-Dap X, which should not interwork with the Galaxy S3.
 
The million dollar question, then, is what is the nature of the change made so that the Go-Dap X can interwork with the Galaxy S3 as well as with the desktop/laptop PC through the standard USB interface.

 

[nnotis]

Kudos to them indeed.
 
Likewise, I've been wondering if it would be possible to make an Android DAC like the Bumblebee and have it also work as a standard USB DAC.  That would be the ultimate prize for me.
 
I installed the latest build of Paranoid on my wife's S3 last night and got thoroughly jealous.  That ROM is rock solid.  Everything works better than it does on Samsung ROMs except for that little USB audio thing.

 

[BBEG]

Alright, I'm getting lost in some of these posts and would appreciate some clarification.
 
DanBa, am I correctly understanding yours and other posts in that:
 

1. You cannot currently USB out to an E17 on a standard S3
2. You can USB out to an E17 on an S3 that's been rooted and is running the latest JB
3. A USB DAC (like the E17) can work on PC, MAC, Android, and iPad, but not on iPod/iPhone
4. An Android-specific DAC cannot be used with a PC or MAC device

 
Is this correct?
 
As I mentioned in my previous post, I bought an E17 last night before reading about the E18. At home it would function as an external DAC (and amp, I suppose) for my PC and laptop. My next phone will most likely be an Android phone, so intended to USB out to the E17 when out and about. I fully expect to root whatever phone I get to keep it up to date. If I'm understanding what I've read here, Voodoo Sound is practically a requirement for Galaxy devices, though I'm not quite sure how it works.
 
My new Nano will simply be paired with my E6 as part of my workout rig. Not worrying about compatibility there.
 
At this point, it does not sound like I would be well-served by an E18, given that I'm asking my device to pull double duty for both home and travel.

 

[DanBa]

Quote:

Likewise, I've been wondering if it would be possible to make an Android DAC like the Bumblebee and have it also work as a standard USB DAC.  That would be the ultimate prize for me.

 
 
If the AudioQuest Bumblebee is an Android-specific USB DAC, it won’t be possible for a tiny USB DAC like the AudioQuest DragonFly / Bumblebee with only one USB input to have a dual role: standard USB DAC and Android-specific USB DAC.
 

 
Such a dual role USB DAC should have two USB interface inputs:
. standard USB interface: PC / S3 as USB host, USB DAC as USB peripheral
. Android-specific USB interface: Android device as USB peripheral, USB DAC as USB host.
 
Like an Android-specific USB DAC, an iPhone-compatible USB DAC should act as a USB host.
Simply put, an iPhone-compatible USB DAC is an Android-specific USB DAC with an Apple authentication coprocessor.
 

 
A standard USB audio – Android specific USB audio dual role DAC should have two USB interface inputs like the standard USB audio – Apple proprietary USB audio dual role VentureCraft Go-Dap X or Sony PHA-1.
 

 

 

[DanBa]

1. You cannot currently USB out to an E17 on a standard S3

 
Is this correct?
 

 
Correct
NZtechfreak has unsuccessfully tested his E17 with a stock S3.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/60#post_8430562
 

1. You can USB out to an E17 on an S3 that's been rooted and is running the latest JB

 
Is this correct?

 
Not correct: as far as I know, there is no reliable info about that.
 
However, as the USB descriptors of the E17 are not quite compliant with the USB specification, Samsung or some developer could provide a modified and more tolerant USB driver to fix this USB descriptor issue.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/627459/use-a-standard-usb-dac-with-a-nexus-7-step-by-step-guide#post_8707621
 

1. A USB DAC (like the E17) can work on PC, MAC, and iPad (via cck & powered hub), but not on iPod/iPhone

 
Is this correct?
 

 
Correct: I remove "Android" and add "(via cck & powered hub)"  to your original sentence,
 
The E17 can work with a stock Android-powered tablet Archos G9 or with a slightly customized Android-powered tablet Asus/Google Nexus 7
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/285#post_8696566
 

1. An Android-specific DAC cannot be used with a PC or MAC device

 
Is this correct?
 

 
Correct
 
 

 

[BBEG]

Thank you very much for your reply. If you know, is the problem with USB drivers on all Android devices or just some?
 
I'm starting to look at the Meizu MX 4-core. This review mentions support for SPDIF audio via MHL output through the mini USB port. It means an adapter of some kind is necessary to actually get an SPDIF out, but it seemed to work fine for the reviewer out to a variety of DACs. Of course, right now said adapter doesn't exist and I'm not sure how small a DIY solution is possible to make.

 

[DanBa]

In  regard to the S3 - E17 non-interworking, the problem is rather on the E17 side.
But it’s easier to modify the software of the Galaxy S3 than the firmware of the E17.

 

[IndieScent]

Quote:

I just saw this: http://www.venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/index.php

The VentureCraft Go-DAP X is now shipping and due to the delay of the shipping date pushed back, for a few early orders VentureCraft is including a cable set with the X. Looking into the cable set there's the micro USB <-> micro USB LOD there for the Samsung Galaxy S3.
 

 
they say shipping but no price or how to order info, not even a product page

 

[BBEG]

Quote:

In  regard to the S3 - E17 non-interworking, the problem is rather on the E17 side.
But it’s easier to modify the software of the Galaxy S3 than the firmware of the E17.

 
Hm. I hope FiiO does a firmware update on the E17 so that I'm not limited to just Galaxy devices then. Maybe I'm just being greedy.

 

[beaver316]

Quote:

 
Hm. I hope FiiO does a firmware update on the E17 so that I'm not limited to just Galaxy devices then. Maybe I'm just being greedy.

 
I don't think it's possible to update the E17's firmware. 

 

[DanBa]

May be, there is a way to improve the sound quality of a self-powered USB DAC.
" Powerless USB - Artisan Silver Cables introduces the Silverstream Ultra Pure USB cable where the usual two power lines have been omitted to avoid contamination for those DACs whose USB transceivers are self-powered rather than run on computer power."
http://6moons.com/news/news.html
 
"In a USB cable it is always a benefit to sound quality to keep the 5 Volt USB power lines away from the data lines, because noise & spikes from the power lines interfere with the delicate data signals.
 
So we had the idea to try a USB cable where all of the pure silver conductors are connected to the data lines and does not carry the 5V supply from the computer at all. Such an arrangement keeps any supply noise right away from the data lines.
 
In my personal system, it was tried on my Centrance DACmini and Burson HA-160D (both which have their own separate power supplies and therefore do not take their power from the USB). In both cases, there was a marked and obvious improvement - the music taking on great tonal purity and liquidity - over and above our own already excellent Ultimate Silver Stream USB cable."
http://www.artisansilvercables.com/usb-ultrapure.htm

 

[DanBa]

Yet another Stoner Acoustics UD100-based rig with FitEar TO GO! 334, the best in-ear headphone in the world according to Steve Guttenberg:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/975#post_8754519
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57486297-47/the-best-in-ear-headphone-in-the-world-the-fitear-togo-334/
 
stock Samsung Galaxy S3 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> UD100 USB DAC >> Pico Slim amp >> FitEar TO GO! 334 IEM
 
 
 

 

[BBEG]

I look forward to when Android users can USB out straight to a DAC with just one cable... That looks like it would become a tangled mess in your pocket.

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

I look forward to when Android users can USB out straight to a DAC with just one cable... That looks like it would become a tangled mess in your pocket.

 
 
 
I'm with you... I wish I could have audio on my phone and have it all on one device. 

 

[gattari]

I tried to attach an hiface two on my s3 but no success

 It is based on xmos.