I did not need any special software when using my Nokia N8 via a Fiio D5. I also did not need any special cable, just the OTG dongle supplied with the phone. If you have not done so already, you could try out the Q1 with some other devices. I used my Fiio D5 with a Samsung S6 and a Huawei P10...

I know of at least one phone that you can get s/pdif from with not much effort.  That is the Nokia N8.  It has a micro USB port which has "on-the-go" functionality.  I have connected it to a Fiio D5 which can then output co-axial s/pdif.  You cannot connect a USB hub so you cannot have a mass...

I last pitched into this thread in November 2011 and who would have thought here I am still using my Nokia N8 as my main music source.   I have just stopped using the USB OTG cable via the Fiio D5. Instead I have a cable from the HDMI port to a J-Tech HDMI to spdif deembedder which has coax...

  The Nokia N8 does come with some surprisingly ordinary software but overall I think you a bit harsh.  Despite its reputation, after I installed some non-standard software I have a phone that I am enjoying more than any other I have ever had (and I have had a lot of different smartphones). ...

Quote: @scottiebabie - I am using the Nokia N8 with a Fiio D5 which does not have its own power, it draws it from the N8 and while the N8 complains that the Fiio D5 is drawing a lot of power it still runs it just fine.    Although this is not really a headfi issue, in case anyone is...