[drew911d]

  Hey guys and Gals,
 
I am new to all this Audiophile stuff so forgivemen if I am remiss in asking this question here.
 
I own the LG G2 and may be upgrading in the next few months to either HTC M8 or LG G3, or newer models if anything happens at CES in Jan.
 
That being said I currently own HD280s MD50X and am looking at buying either HD598 or DT880 and possibly an IEM
 
I am very interested in buying either an integrated DAC/AMP or two seperate DAC and AMP to run OTG compatible from my phone. I have no problem flashing my phone, if needed, and really want high quality audio transfer with limited noise, but am only looking to spend $250-$300 on the DAC/AMP. It would be great if the DAC had a pre-out I could then run to my desktop AMP as well!
 
Anyone have a suggestion as to what is quality, affordable and compatible?
 
Thanks!

 
 
I have the M8 and I'm looking at the iFi Nano iDSD, battery included and pre-out.  All you need is the OTG cable and USB Audio Player Pro ($10).
 
The upcoming Geek Stream will be similar, also Denon makes something (can't remember name) and Oppo is also coming out with the HA-2.
 
All should be with battery and under $300, I think.
 
One source that I can use with my IEM, Car stereo and home as well.

 

[bixby]

  UAPP works for sure, even without Lollipop, but the idea is to use the USB Audio option introduced with Lollipop together with an alternative Hi-Res capable player.
Tried HiBy (Still on 4.4.4) but it only played one song and that was it. According to the Play store HiBy is not suitable for the Nexus 7.  

I think you may find that all programs aside from UAPP will downsample the higher resolution files like 24/96 to the Android framework of 48k.
 
Even a player developer I communicated with has no idea how to get native high res playback with the new version of android...................yet.

 

[DanBa]

I have a Nexus 4 running Android 5.0 and I tried a Fiio E18 but it doesn't work. I get no connection. Any ideas?

 
 

  N4 doesn't support USB OTG despite having android 5.0.
 
i think u will have to do something like this http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/orig-development/usb-otg-externally-powered-usb-otg-t2181820

 
 

  go here and download the trial on the bottom: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro
 
see if it works (i want to know too )

 
A list of stock Android-powered devices reportedly interworking with compatible USB DAC:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5835#post_11103594
 
. Google Nexus 4 powered by a custom kernel in order to enable the USB host feature interfacing with USB Audio Recorder PRO / USB Audio Player PRO:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2100#post_9340559
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2550#post_9557503
 
 
"Record and play back audio in USB host mode
This function is only available on Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9 and Nexus 10 devices from Android 5.0."
https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6127700

 

[Incognito73]

Did anyone managed to use iFi IDSD Micro with Lollipop and natively (outside of UAPP) ? As I can multi-boot with my HTC One M7, I did have a play with Lollipop 5.0.1 GPE (Google Play Edition) and interestingly enough when I plug-in the DAC (it's powered on first) I don't have the sound on the phone itself (so something is routed somewhere) BUT there is sound from the DAC itself too!  Strange.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Samsung Galaxy S4 > Google Play Edition ROM 4.4.4 > UAPP > USB OTG cable > iFi audio micro iDSD > Sennheiser HD800
 
 

 
 
 
 
Modded Samsung Galaxy S4 -> with Anker 5200 mAh battery, modified backcover to fit the SD card and SD adpater, now 256 GB of storage space for music on my phone.

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
As soon as the Android 5.0.1 custom ROM gets more stable, I will flash to replace the 4.4.4 ROM.

 

[mkozlows]

Loving the Android 5.0; just tried USB out of the Nexus 9 to my old HeadRoom Micro DAC, and it just worked, smoothly and automatically with no special software or anything. Very nice.

 

[SubSTI]

  Did anyone managed to use iFi IDSD Micro with Lollipop and natively (outside of UAPP) ? As I can multi-boot with my HTC One M7, I did have a play with Lollipop 5.0.1 GPE (Google Play Edition) and interestingly enough when I plug-in the DAC (it's powered on first) I don't have the sound on the phone itself (so something is routed somewhere) BUT there is sound from the DAC itself too!  Strange.

Works with Nexus 7 2013 Lollipop 5.01 and iFi iDSD Nano, tried youtube, Spotify and ES file player with FLAC 88.2KHz and 192KHz. Audio is being downsampled to 44.1KHz.
Make sure to turn the Micro on before connecting it with an USB OTG to your device.

 

[Incognito73]

Just noticed that I made a typo, so it should be. So,  "interestingly enough when I plug-in the DAC (it's powered on first) I don't have the sound on the phone itself (so something is routed somewhere) BUT there is NO sound from the DAC itself too!". So, no sound from both devices. Didn't have time to fiddle more, will try again tonight.

 

[DanBa]

  Thanks for your reply. I did manage to get sound via the Nano, just need to make sure the Nano is turned on before you attach it to the Nexus.
Now trying different players to see if there is one which does high-res via the Nano. Used Synology DS player and Onkyo HF player (unstable) but all seem to downsample to 44.1Hz according to the green light on the Nano.

 
"LED Color: Green: 44/48kHz"
http://www.musicdirect.com/documents/pdf/AIFINANOiDSD.pdf
 
Apparently for the time being, the native audio subsystem of Android 5.0 Lollipop can only output 48kHz PCM streams:
 
. Android 5.0 Lollipop-powered Google Nexus 10, Audio Technica AT-HA40USB USB DAC/amp: 48kHz native USB out
http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/series/dal/20141201_678269.html
 
44.1kHz / 96kHz music file > Android 5.0-powered Nexus 10 > 48kHz PCM stream >> Audio Technica AT-HA40USB 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
. Android 5.0 Lollipop-powered Google Nexus 9, Audiorender Flow USB DAC/amp: 48kHz native USB out
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5805#post_11095101
 
44.1kHz music file > Android 5.0-powered Nexus 9 > 48kHz PCM stream >> Aurender Flow 
 

 

[Dragonmilenario]

Hi guys, Spain calling
 
I have a Topping D1 MKII and I read that it´s fully compatible with the Galaxy S3. I´m considering on buy a new phone for using the Topping, and my question is if only the Galaxy S3 will pair it or if it´s compatible with any other phones.
 
I will use with Spotify Premium... So I need fully compatibility, not using any program or something.
 
Best regards.

 

[scorptrigger]

  Hi guys, Spain calling
 
I have a Topping D1 MKII and I read that it´s fully compatible with the Galaxy S3. I´m considering on buy a new phone for using the Topping, and my question is if only the Galaxy S3 will pair it or if it´s compatible with any other phones.
 
I will use with Spotify Premium... So I need fully compatibility, not using any program or something.
 
Best regards.

I would love to know the answer to this question. I have an extra Galaxy s3 lying around that I could use for my car stereo with this DAC if it will work! Also does anyone know if I can connect the GS3 via mini USB AND use mirrorlink to my head unit at the same time the sound is running through this DAC? Or would the head unit default to the sound signal from the mirrorlink connection automatically? I too am looking for a solution to get the best sound quality out of spotify in my car and it would be ideal if I could control spotify from my head unit. I just purchased a Pioneer AVH-X5700BHS which has mirrorlink technology and it should work with the GS3.

 

[DanBa]

  Hi guys, Spain calling
 
I have a Topping D1 MKII and I read that it´s fully compatible with the Galaxy S3. I´m considering on buy a new phone for using the Topping, and my question is if only the Galaxy S3 will pair it or if it´s compatible with any other phones.
 
I will use with Spotify Premium... So I need fully compatibility, not using any program or something.
 
Best regards.

 
How about going to a phone shop and testing the Topping D1 MKII with your selected phone using the stock music player of the phone?
The stock music player and Spotify are interfacing with the native USB audio subsystem of the phone.
 
You can bring a USB OTG adapter cable like the following:
http://www.amazon.es/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/280-9629463-2143357?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=otg&tag=amazonsearchshop-20
 
Android phone using stock music player >> USB OTG adapter cable + regular USB cable >> Topping D1 MKII USB DAC/amp >> headphones
 
Firstly, the USB OTG adapter cable should be tested with a simpler USB peripheral like a USB mouse:
Android phone >> USB OTG adapter cable >> USB mouse

 

[DanBa]

  I would love to know the answer to this question. I have an extra Galaxy s3 lying around that I could use for my car stereo with this DAC if it will work! 

 
You could test your Galaxy S3 with your car head unit using one of three main types of Android car audio via USB described at the following link:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5490#post_10963953
 
I don't think your Pioneer car head unit is compliant with AOA 2.0 (the third type), because it is compliant with MirrorLink.
 
 

  Also does anyone know if I can connect the GS3 via mini USB AND use mirrorlink to my head unit at the same time the sound is running through this DAC? Or would the head unit default to the sound signal from the mirrorlink connection automatically? I too am looking for a solution to get the best sound quality out of spotify in my car and it would be ideal if I could control spotify from my head unit. I just purchased a Pioneer AVH-X5700BHS which has mirrorlink technology and it should work with the GS3.

 
Thanks for the MirrorLink info! I didn't know it.
 
As far as I understand, MirrorLink is also the 4th type of Android car audio via USB.
 
music files > MirrorLink-certified music player running on MirrorLink-certified smartphone like Galaxy S3 > 48kHz PCM over RTP/UDP/IP >> regular USB cable >> MirrorLink-certified Pioneer AVH-X5700BHS car head unit: DAC > amp >> speakers
 

 

 

 
 
MirrorLink provides the technologies that connect consumers with smartphone applications in a car when driving.
 
"MirrorLink is a technology standard for controlling a nearby smartphone from the steering wheel or via dashboard buttons and screens. The technology leverages a vehicle’s controls and displays to give consumers access to their smartphone apps while driving, allowing them to be connected and responsible at the same time.
 
MirrorLink offers numerous benefits beyond replication of a mobile device screen on a vehicle’s dashboard. For example, MirrorLink specifies (1) use of BT or IP based audio streams to and from the mobile device, (2) advertisement, launch and termination of applications using UPnP, (3) mechanisms to exchange data between the car and the mobile device, e.g. location information and (4) the establishment of trust relationships and handling of application certificates."
http://www.mirrorlink.com/frequently-asked-questions
http://www.mirrorlink.com/consumers
https://cert.mirrorlink.com/ProductListing/
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Apparently, Spotify is not yet a MirrorLink-certified app.
 
XDA modders have modified the MirrorLink service of some Samsung's flagship phones so that Spotify can be used (i.e. full mirroring).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help/samsung-drivelink-dev-bounty-reached-t1837847/post46900253#post46900253
 
 

 

[DanBa]

  Anyone managed to have the Dragonfly 1.2 work with HibyMusic ?
I get a constant I/O Error, though the DAC is recognized by the app.

 

 
I'm getting the same error with the Dragonfly 1.2.

 
"I couldn't test HibyMusic which kept force closing upon application start."
 
Android 5.0 Lollipop-powered Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9505G (aka Google Play editon) >> AudioQuest DragonFly 1.2 USB DAC/amp >> IEM
 
 
 
 
"I did test USB Audio Player PRO [EDIT] and HibyMusic V1.1 [/EDIT] with various sample rate files (44.1kHz - 96kHZ)  and it is working as advertised. Led on the DragonFly 1.2 is properly switching and matches given sample rate of audio files.
 
Playing audio through any other application (Neutron MP, PowerAmp, Spotify, YouTube etc,) will always make the DAC light up in blue 48kHz mode. I did test with those same audio files and the led won't change it's color. I think it's safe to say that resampling is taking it's place here." 

 

[scorptrigger]

Thanks DanBa for all this info! It was nice of you to consolidate it for everyone. Hopefully someone will find a solution to make this work. Someone on diymobileaudio.com is running an ipad in his car through a DAC and then to his stereo. I don't even own any apple products, but if running an ipod could get the full 320kbps I might do it, I know my head unit is supposed to support that. I can still return the headunit I bought and get a new one if that and or getting a new phone would make this work. Im not sure if "full mirroring" means they are getting the full 320 kbps stream?