[NZtechfreak]

Wow, it was three years ago I started this post on Head-Fi about USB audio on Android...
 
I thought I would update the first post today to point to the post that contains all of the most up to date resources for this topic, from the fantastic and dedicated DanBa here. EDIT: Updated to DanBa's newest information on 27 Nov 2015.
 
The information from that post is here, but no doubt will be superceded by updates from DanBa in due course:
 

Android USB audio

Information search:
1. Click on the following link
https://www.google.fr/?gws_rd=ssl#q=%22XY%22+site:http:%2F%2Fwww.head-fi.org%2Ft%2F595071%2Fandroid-phones-and-usb-dacs
2. Replace XY by your search keyword(s).

FAQ:
http://goo.gl/A4dCnP

A list of USB OTG cables / adapters:
http://goo.gl/4JyOe5

A list of USB Type-C cables / adapters:
https://goo.gl/n1cxPx

A list of stock Android-powered devices reportedly interworking with compatible USB DAC:
stock Android device > digital USB audio out >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/ksoF0d

A list of USB Audio Player PRO resources (compatible USB DAC, compatible Android devices, ...):
http://www.extreamsd.com/USBAudioRecorderPRO/

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S3 having a microSD card slot:
stock Samsung Galaxy S3 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >>headphones
http://goo.gl/yBKivk

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note2 having a microSD card slot:
stock Galaxy Note2 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >>headphones
http://goo.gl/Ga1jYw

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samung Galaxy S4 having a microSD card slot:
stock Samsung Galaxy S4 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >>headphones
http://goo.gl/dIwrqp

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note3 having a microSD card slot:
stock Samsung Galaxy Note3 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/7Bvkhz

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samung Galaxy S5 having a microSD card slot:
stock Samsung Galaxy S5 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >>headphones
http://goo.gl/zUjud0

A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note4 having a microSD card slot:
stock Samsung Galaxy Note4 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/gnmvuf

USB DAC descriptors:
http://goo.gl/pYJbTu

The basics:
http://goo.gl/MCFY2x

 

[scohen158]

Voted for it as I want my Samsung Galaxy S II to have this when it gets ICS. 

 

[NZtechfreak]

Quote:

Voted for it as I want my Samsung Galaxy S II to have this when it gets ICS. 

Many thanks, seems like there are a few Android users here, so hopefully we can get this issue up the ladder!
 
Incidentally, 56 new votes today, issue up 12 places.

 

[iahtoyhz]

I would LOVE to have the flexibility of choosing a new Android smartphone or tablet and being able to send USB out to one of the many, many portable DAC/AMP combos that are on the market.
 
Not knowing (personally) how Google prioritizes things, how likely is this to happen?

 

[DanBa]

@Nztechfreak
 
Thanks!

 

[DanBa]

Quote:

I would LOVE to have the flexibility of choosing a new Android smartphone or tablet and being able to send USB out to one of the many, many portable DAC/AMP combos that are on the market.
 
Not knowing (personally) how Google prioritizes things, how likely is this to happen?

 
It will happen.
 
According to Android specifications, USB audio is included in Android 3.1 or newer platforms.
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/usb/index.html
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/hardware/usb/UsbConstants.html
 
It is up to Google for its reference Nexus devices and the other Android device manufacturers to support or enable the USB audio feature on their devices.
 
Example: The Android 3.2 powered Archos G9 tablet interworks with a USB DAC/amp FiiO E17
http://www.jbmm.fr/2012/01/utiliser-le-dac-fiio-e17-avec-son-archos/ http://www.archos.com/products/gen9/archos_101g9/index.html?country=us&lang=en http://update.archos.com/9/gen9/changes_firmware_archos_android_gen9.htm
 
 

 
 
Version 3.2.22 - September 2nd, 2011: no USB audio support!
Initial Honeycomb 3.2 firmware release
 
Version 3.2.77 - December 6th, 2011
Accessories: external USB audio cards (DAC) support has been added
 
Version 3.2.78 - December 19th, 2011
Audio accessory: fix USB DAC not supporting 44.1kHz
 
 
We should put pressure on Google, and therefore on the Android device manufacturers.
 

 

[mukulymn]

This is the only feature that can tempt me to buy an android

 

[Sorensiim]

Starred 

 
My Nexus S is running ICS and my Galaxy Tab 10.1 will get the upgrade soon enough.

 

[reginalb]

Where have you posted this thus far? I can add it to a few other places. 

 

[Mauricio]

Forget USB, and lose the cable.  What we should be advocating, and what I am waiting for is for wireless streaming from an Android device to a DAC via Bluetooth or Wifi.  As I understand it, the AptX codec needs to be supported by the DAC and the streming device.  That's the way to go, rather than tethering via USB.

 

[emonkey]

Commented the developer thread!  This feature may be the last nail in the coffin to move from my antiquated nokias to android ICS

 

[Wouter]

Voted as the standard sound quality of my HTC Desire S is quite poor.
The suggested wireless alternative is indeed a better solution, however are there any wireless portable DAC/AMPS available?
Since there are many portable USB DAC/AMP's available alread, I'd prefer that Google enables "usbaudio" first.
In fact I consider it quite surprising Google didn't do so earlier, particularly as this feature has been available for a long time already on IOS devices.
 

 

[InfectedStyles]

Starred this. Please everyone vote this up. Only a few stars are needed to move this up a couple more places.

 

[kenman345]

Their is a USB driver that is in Ice Cream Sandwich that is meant for connecting USB items to your phone.

 

[dmcs414]

I couldn't agree more. I have been looking at replacing my heavy 17" laptop with something akin to the Asus transformer tablet, but have been unsure whether I'd regret losing the ability to use foobar, USB 3.0, etc and a multitude of great USB DAC functionality I currently enjoy. It would also be nice to be able to use my Moto Photon 4G phone in the same way, but Motorola is always behind though on what version of Android they accept, so fat chance of that ever coming to fruition.

Also your avatar is adorable and makes me grab one of my cats for some lap time every time I see it. Kittens FTW.

 
It will happen.
 
According to Android specifications, USB audio is included in Android 3.1 or newer platforms.
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/usb/index.html
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/hardware/usb/UsbConstants.html
 
It is up to Google for its reference Nexus devices and the other Android device manufacturers to support or enable the USB audio feature on their devices.
 
Example: The Android 3.2 powered Archos G9 tablet interworks with a USB DAC/amp FiiO E17
http://www.jbmm.fr/2012/01/utiliser-le-dac-fiio-e17-avec-son-archos/ http://www.archos.com/products/gen9/archos_101g9/index.html?country=us&lang=en http://update.archos.com/9/gen9/changes_firmware_archos_android_gen9.htm
 
 

 
 
Version 3.2.22 - September 2nd, 2011: no USB audio support!
Initial Honeycomb 3.2 firmware release
 
Version 3.2.77 - December 6th, 2011
Accessories: external USB audio cards (DAC) support has been added
 
Version 3.2.78 - December 19th, 2011
Audio accessory: fix USB DAC not supporting 44.1kHz
 
 
We should put pressure on Google, and therefore on the Android device manufacturers.