I agree, the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (maybe the switch? I don’t have one) don’t need licensed drivers anymore, the USB DAC just has to be a UAC1 (USB Audio Class 1) device and it should work. The PlayStation 5 will even transmit it’s pre-mixed spatial audio through USB!
In fact, FiiO already has a few UAC1 devices. I was able to use my E10k with my PS4, and just for the sake of trying I even connected the coax out of the E10K to a high end setup. It would be a handy blog post just to see a list of UAC1 devices that FiiO makes. Still, a FiiO equivalent of the Schiit Fulla or Schiit Hel would be nice to see, with a headphone output and mic input.
UAC1 and ‘
full volume output’ (is my understanding), at least for the Playstation side of the coin.
The FiiO lineup has so many units that do BOTH nintendo and Playstation family consoles.
I have kept a few FiiOs for just such a great purpose.
The Creative E5 (and G6 etc?) do.
The onkyo ha200 does.
The Cambridge Dac magic range do..
Things like the Chord Hugo have multiple inputs for different UAC modes (1/2).
I used one of the Cambridge DACmagics’ as an ‘interpreter’ (allowed the Playstation to see a DAC and talk DACy for me), and then passed the signal on to ‘other DACs.
At the time I needed to do this, it was an iFi DAC that was invisible to the Playstation console.
Then iFi went and performed the ‘good deed’ of supporting existing in field units with new features through firmware upgrades (vs selling a new unit ONLY to get such a feature like dirty anti consumer businesses so often foister on the world). Like the many great companies like FiiO and iFi who ARE contactable and DO listen, iFi went and offered
another Firmware that
DOES Nintendo & Sony consoles..
A FiiO BTA30 does the duty really well too and basically can step up any system to add functions that they are likely missing. (bluetooth transmit or receive and CODEC range like APt X LL or LDAC). I really like Fiio as a business due to their after sales support regarding software updates and improvements.
A brief test with a lowly (entry level) FiiO bit of kit;
feeding an AptX (not AptX HD - “darn it!”
Samsung)-ahem; test track through the FiiO BTA30
-running off a power feed from a USB cable plugged into the side of the houses’ 4G wireless modem (!)
-using the worlds cheapest spdif toslink cable (which even came with TWO 3.5mm jack tip pieces for compatibility with EVERYTHING)
into an entry level(
‘ish) ladder DAC..
GAVE THE BEST RENDITION OF THE TEST TRACK I HAD HEARD ON A SYSTEM FOR
YEARS..
imagine if I rested a 4K($) DAP on fairy wings and fed that same ladder DAC an ultra hi res recording?
(Using a USB cable that cost more than most peoples SUB WOOFERS surely...);
needless to say the FiiO box/‘range of bits’ that can pass the modern consoles sound out cleanly (and avoiding ‘jittery’ HDMI), are great additions to many a Home Hifi Rig.
The USB DAC approach for sound with the PS5 is probably the best bang for buck sound upgrade /for ‘immersion factor’ (HEADPHONES) that anyone could want..
The transmission to the controller runs at something akin to LDAC 990 or ‘lossless’ and is auditori
ally (is that a word?) transparent . (Its really good)
I believe it uses a Wolfson DAC chip and the battery power setup in the controller is crazy (remember that those dual haptic vibrators and feedback triggers need real
power and kinda ‘on tap’). Well; by whatever miracle, the output makes for a realy good preamp feed to an off board AMP (ie “Line IN” fallback method; also ‘very convieniant’ and compatible with Nintendo 3DS and, well, everything with a Headphone jack basically..)
A tiny FiiO almost credit card (okay -maybe four, in a small stack) really picks up the soundstage width and makes picking enemies off easily, even when they are offscreen, just through clear audio positional cues.
As EVSHRUG has mentioned around the interwebs (good guy that he is) is about importance of HRTF quality (or ’matching’/tailoring) for the end user, is needed for best results.
I am happy to jump in and out of a level in Returnal trying the five default profiles, and each headphone in my collection surely has a different preference.
When set right, they ALL give excellent surround sound.
Vastly better than any other implementation I have ever experienced. (But that is a whole ‘nother story about the sound computer inside the PS5)
From the controller, I have mentioned a few times, some testing using ‘line in’ on various portable amps, when amplifying a feed from the controllers ‘head phone jack’;
going up in quality from the most basic/entry level headphone amp, would make the soundstage render a LOT MORE HEIGHT information..
Of course amps and headphones known for great sound staging and 3D space are going to give a different level of output so everyones ‘mileage will vary’...
Due to the nature of the evolution in sound positioning that the Sony tech is stabilising in the market (ie programmers ARE using it!), the benefit to gamers is tangible and in many ways unique/‘hasn’t been seen’.
A lot of headphone amps are going to sell regarding the consoles.
It was more than twenty years ago that David Bowie and others were bringing credibility to the fact that game music IS serious business.
Trent Reznor doin’ Quake soundtracks and,.. well..
Lets just say gaming and sound are IMPORTANT (not a want, but a NEED)
grins (peace)
