Android phones and USB DACs | Page 27 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

nnotis · Sep 29, 2012 at 5:15 PM

Grokit, I actually just got one. It definitely works.

So far I've been extremely impressed with its sound quality. It creates a marvelous illusion of space, even when compared to the Pico. Unfortunately, it's way too noisy to use with IEMs. But I'm sufficiently impressed with it that I've ordered a $10 resistor adaptor to use with it. Hopefully it'll drop the noise floor below an audible level without compromising anything else.

I'm also amazed by how good it sounds with the LCD-2s. It has no power supply of its own. I never would have guessed it to work at all, led alone sound good with full sizers.

Edit: The Headstreamer does require a firmware update before working properly with the S3. It will otherwise only play audio at an extremely low volume.

edwardsean · Sep 29, 2012 at 6:24 PM

Hi,

I'm really interested if this works with the halide bridge. Has anyone tried this?

gattari · Sep 29, 2012 at 6:50 PM

I am very interested if S3 works with hiface 2

it is xmos device.

Inviato dal mio GT-I9300 con Tapatalk 2

DanBa · Sep 30, 2012 at 6:33 AM

AudioQuest Bumblebee Android DAC:
http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/audioquest/1220/bumblebee/bumblebee.asp

"Designed specifically for Android devices
24-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip
Supports all music files including 24-bit/192kHz lossless
Drives headphones directly with 3.5mm mini-jack output
Fixed or Variable output modes
Asynchronous transfer for accurate digital timing
64-position (computer-controlled) analog volume control
Isolated dual master clocks
Colour changing LED to indicate source sample rate"

I am wondering if the AudioQuest Bumblebee Android DAC is a standard self-powered USB DAC or an Android-specific USB DAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/135

The AudioQuest Bumblebee should be likely an AudioQuest DragonFly with built-in rechargeable battery, because it "supports all music files including 24-bit/192kHz lossless".
http://www.head-fi.org/t/617241/audioquest-dragonfly-review-affordable-outstanding-tiny-dac-amp
http://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-dragonfly-usb-da-converter

And an Android-specific USB DAC can support only 16-bit/44.1kHz:
http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/aoa2.html#audio-support

If the AudioQuest Bumblebee is a standard USB DAC, while using with a PC or a Mac, the sound quality of the AudioQuest Bumblebee should be superior to the sound quality of the AudioQuest DragonFly thanks to a clean battery power.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/165#post_8540151

DanBa · Sep 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM

bobeau · Sep 30, 2012 at 2:33 PM

Quote:

danba said:
AudioQuest Bumblebee Android DAC:
http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/audioquest/1220/bumblebee/bumblebee.asp

If the AudioQuest Bumblebee is a standard USB DAC, while using with a PC or a Mac, the sound quality of the AudioQuest Bumblebee should be superior to the sound quality of the AudioQuest DragonFly thanks to a clean battery power.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/165#post_8540151

Why are pictures of the DragonFly shown, just not ready for primetime? I'm wondering if the Bumblebee will also have a microusb connector (maybe not a good idea for durability)?

I recently picked up a GNex so I'm somewhat curious about this... not a fan of the headphone out on it and have a Dragonfly which I run out of my MBA and totally love.

bobeau · Sep 30, 2012 at 2:35 PM

[Delete]

headfinoob · Sep 30, 2012 at 3:12 PM

Does anybody know whether any USB DAC has the ability to play asynchronously? Specifically I'm referring to a DAC such as the HRT Musicstreamer II. It plays asynchronously in Windows but it makes the Windows machine clock act as a slave.
It looks like the Bumblebee will support it but it won't work with Windows.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

grokit · Sep 30, 2012 at 3:24 PM

HRT Musicstreamer II Transfer Protocol: asynchronous

http://highresolutiontechnologies.com/music-streamer-ii#prods

Rakan · Sep 30, 2012 at 3:58 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Cable-Samsung-i9300-Galaxy/dp/B008TKLOOE/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1349034963&sr=8-25&keywords=usb+otg

will this cable work with my S3 to ouput usb dac ???

Tamz · Sep 30, 2012 at 4:23 PM

Quote:

rakan said:
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Cable-Samsung-i9300-Galaxy/dp/B008TKLOOE/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1349034963&sr=8-25&keywords=usb+otg

will this cable work with my S3 to ouput usb dac ???

yes if your firmware is supported(in case you use custom rom) + if the dac support it should work

BBEG · Oct 1, 2012 at 1:20 AM

The Bumblebee will be DAC only? That seems odd; is there a physical space limitation that prevents the addition of an amp like the Dragonfly's? I suppose I'm not familiar enough with the tech involved to understand the advantage of the Bumblebee over the Dragonfly. In a GS3+Dragonly+IEM/headphone like chain, the DF seems to nice occupy the price bracket between the Fiio E6 and the RSA Shadow for tiny, low-profile audio solutions.

DanBa · Oct 1, 2012 at 3:45 AM

The ESS Sabre chip of the Bumblebee has the adjustable output level feature:
http://www.esstech.com/PDF/ES9023%20PB%20Rev%200.2aPB%20110117.pdf

Apparently the Bumblebee, using this feature, should be a USB HID (Human Interface Device) to allow Volume Up/Down Control from a USB host like the Galaxy S3.

However without proper USB HID volume control, a player software of the Galaxy S3 can adjust the output level "by multiplying the each successive word in the original signal data stream by a coefficient that is less than one. For example, if the incoming signal is multiplied by a coefficient of 0.5, the output will be half of the original value. This corresponds with a volume reduction of 6 dB. In a binary system, a reduction of 6 dB is the same as shifting the signal towards the least significant bit by one bit", hence a theoretical loss of resolution.

About digital volume control:
http://www.wadia.com/technology/technicalpapers/Digital_Volume_Control_2.pdf
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?3813-Digital-Volume-control

The Stoner Acoustics UD100 includes the ESS Sabre chip, but doesn't implement a USB HID volume control:
http://stoneracoustics.blogspot.fr/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626632/tiny-dac-big-sound-impression-of-stoner-acoustics-ud100-vs-odac

stock Galaxy S3 > digital USB audio out >> UD100 >> Sennheiser IE80

"yup, without amp.
i control the volume on winamp, although TS did mention there would be loss in quality but i seriously cant hear the difference.......still very good"
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2452730&st=140&p=54532789&#entry54532789

"sgs3 > UD100 > ath-ck100
volume level is sufficient, no amp required."
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2452730&st=160&p=54596977&#entry54596977

Dyaems · Oct 1, 2012 at 3:50 AM

any news for the S2? =(

nnotis · Oct 2, 2012 at 5:31 PM

Quote:

dyaems said:
any news for the S2? =(

Yea, if the Bumblebee turns out as well as it should, everyone with Jelly Bean will have access to extremely high end digital audio. I can't wait to get back to Paranoid JB. Though, the latest "Essential" version of Foxhound on the S3 is absolutely brilliant.

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