[DanBa]

Android USB audio
 
FAQ:
http://goo.gl/A4dCnP
 
A list of USB OTG cables:
http://goo.gl/4JyOe5
 
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 native USB audio of Android 5.0 Lollipop:
stock Google Nexus X running on Android 5.0 Lollipop > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/x3loEQ
 
A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S3:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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

 

[jk47]

   
As I don't have the opportunity to hear your mentioned devices, I can't pronounce on their SQ.
 
 
 
An Android phone is just a small computer, somewhat a small PC or a small Mac.
So they are facing the same sort of situation.
 
For instance, a lot of audiophiles don't use the stock Mac OS X music software, they prefer audiophile-oriented music players like Audirvana.
A lot of Head-Fiers don't use the stock Android music software, they prefer audiophile-oriented music players like USB Audio Player PRO or HibyMusic.
http://www.head-fi.org/a/mac-os-x-music-players-alternatives-to-itunes
http://www.headfonia.com/os-x-audio-players-amarra-audirvana-pure-music-fidelia-decibel-and-bitperfect/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5910#post_11146033
 
Another example, Elijah Audio is adding a "new range of Android smart phone cables with battery leads" (i.e. USB OTG-Y cables), along with their legacy USB-Y cables for PC & Mac, which "offer the option of clean battery power, whilst isolating the DAC / spdif converter from the noisy 5v PC / Mac power".
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/elijah/1.html
https://www.facebook.com/ElijahAudio?ref=stream
 
 
I don't have the opportunity to hear the DX90.
 
Different people, different situations. Each situation has its pros and cons.
 
From my point of view "separate DAC/amp", the DX90 has non-removable internal DAC/amp.
I am pretty sure you can find an external DAC/amp which has a better synergy with your headphones.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/721542/new-schiit-lyr-2-impressions/555#post_11179638
 
A DX90 is just a DAP .
A general purpose computer like the smartphone can be a DAP, and can provide much more services : for instance by just adding an inexpensive phone accessory, a virtual reality headset, you can go to a movie theater, the opera or a concert theater at anytime, anywhere in a virtual reality way.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/750519/the-headphones-for-movies-thread/15#post_11219841
 

thanks for your input. i'm familiar with schiit- i have a gungnir in my home system.  but i'm looking to upgrade my portable rig, so they don't have the right product for that application.

 

[DanBa]

  I also found this: http://align-centre.hatenablog.com/entry/2014/05/10/233000 that lists USB DACs in category of price range and portability/stationary. 
 
 

 

 
 
"In the second design, the external audio peripheral C can be designed for higher audio quality and greater power output without impacting the cost of the basic mass market Android device B. Yes, it is a more expensive design, but the cost is absorbed only by those who want it.
 
Mobile devices are notorious for having high-density circuit boards, which can result in more opportunities for crosstalk that degrades adjacent analog signals. Digital communication is less susceptible to noise, so moving the DAC from the Android device A to an external circuit board C allows the final analog stages to be physically and electrically isolated from the dense and noisy circuit board, resulting in higher fidelity audio."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5640#post_11026435
 

 
Intentional 4G/3G/2G/WiFi/Bluetooth radio frequency emitters and receivers with a high electronic integration density within a very limited small volume like smartphones, i.e. small computing devices, should create a lot of EMI/RFI noises.

 

[DanBa]

AudioQuest demo pre-production JitterBug at CES 2015:
https://www.facebook.com/audioquestexperience
http://www.audiostream.com/content/audioquest-jitterbug
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/01/audioquest-demo-pre-production-jitterbug-at-ces-2015/
 
"... 
So what the heck does AudioQuest’s JitterBug actually do?
 
Three things: 1) it’s a line conditioner for the USB voltage bus; 2) it’s a signal filter for the USB data bus. In both instances it suppresses the electrical noise that comes pouring out of your computer and messes with your DAC’s super-sensitive circuits; 3) When introducing a demo of the JitterBug’s capabilities AudioQuest’s Steve Silberman explained that “it also attenuates the entire signal to remove parasitic resonances”.
 
Putting it more simply, the JitterBug doesn’t re-clock the digital audio stream (as its name might suggest); it filters out USB nasties and lowers the amount of electrical noise travelling along your USB cable.
 
If that makes no sense to you, look at the JitterBug as AudioQuest’s answer to the Schiit Wyrd (US$99) or the iFi Purifier (US$99). AudioQuest’s JitterBug halves the entry fee to US$49.
 
The units used for this CES 2015 demo were all naked prototypes – the shell design is still to be finalised ..."
 
 

 
 
It should be paticularly useful for USB DAC without noise filtering.
 
Android device >> USB OTG adapter >> AudioQuest JitterBug >> USB DAC/amp like AudioQuest DragonFly >> headphones
or
Android device >> USB OTG adapter >> AudioQuest JitterBug >> regular USB cable >> USB DAC/amp >> headphones

 

[Robert777]

Hi,
 
I hope someone here can give me some advice.
 
I have a Galaxy S4 running android 4.4.2 and I have had it working with the HiFiMeDIY android DAC and the Epiphany Acoustics EDAC (ODAC) no problem at all. I purchased an HRT Microstreamer, which I new was listed and discussed here to work with some android phones, but I cannot get it to work with my S4,
 
I have tried Poweramp, Neutron player and USB Audio Player Pro to no avail.
 
What happens is that when I press play there is no sound and the song progress bar plays to the end in maybe 3 seconds and goes to the next song. I have read some posts that other people have had this problem but never found a solution.
 
I no it could be an OTG cable issue and I have ordered a new cable. It could be a power issue, but I do not want to order a usb power hub unless I am confident it will fix the problem.
 
Has anyone had the same problem and solved it on any phone or with any DAC?
 
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[DanBa]

Maybe you have a buggy HRT microStreamer.
 
Maybe you should PM to walkman_heart:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3765#post_10100034
 
"using my microstreamer and s4 has much better sq
than microstreamer and laptop combo"

 

[Robert777]

  Maybe you have a buggy HRT microStreamer.
 
Maybe you should PM to walkman_heart:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3765#post_10100034
 
"using my microstreamer and s4 has much better sq
than microstreamer and laptop combo"

Thank you so much @DanBa. I have got to get better at using the search facility.
I have PM'd Walkman_heart in the hope that he can guide me in the right direction.

 

[thoughtcriminal]

Anyone hooked up a fiio x3 or ibasso dx50/90 to an android phone yet?
Do either work as a DAC/amp for android?

 

[DanBa]

Look into the following compatibility lists:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/6135#post_11222599

 

[Robert777]

I just got my HRT microstreamer working with my stock 4.4.2 Samsung Galaxy S4. I had to install USB Audio Player Pro, enable android in the UAPP settings, and enable audio out in the phones Accessory settings. It works perfectly and is so loud. I also added the Cayin C5 amp to the setup and it is sweet indeed.

 

[DanBa]

VentureCraft Vantam USB DAC/amp compatible DSD:
http://www.salehifi.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65
http://www.newmobilelife.com/2015/01/14/venturecraft-vantam-press-con/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu7fWYqAcDU
 
Galaxy S5 >> USB OTG cable >> VentureCraft Vantam >> headphones
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[seeteeyou]

This 1,800 yen / $14 app called Ne PLAYER is in Japanese only, no DSD support yet but the features are pretty cool
 
http://www.radius.co.jp/Portals/0/neseries/applications.html
http://www.radius.co.jp/HOME/NePLAYER/tabid/215/Default.aspx
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.radius.neplayer_ver2
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 
・FLAC(〜24bit/〜192kHz)
・WAV(〜24bit/〜192kHz)
・WMA(〜16bit/〜44.1kHz)
・MP3 / AAC / HE-AAC / Ogg(〜24bit/〜192kHz)
 
Support for internal storage, SD card slot, and external storage via USB OTG. The cool thing is showing the rate of the file on the top as well as the rate that's reaching the USB DAC
 

 

 

[kawaivpc1]

This 1,800 yen / $14 app called Ne PLAYER is in Japanese only, no DSD support yet but the features are pretty cool

http://www.radius.co.jp/Portals/0/neseries/applications.html
http://www.radius.co.jp/HOME/NePLAYER/tabid/215/Default.aspx
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.radius.neplayer_ver2

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

・FLAC(〜24bit/〜192kHz)

・WAV(〜24bit/〜192kHz)

・WMA(〜16bit/〜44.1kHz)

・MP3 / AAC / HE-AAC / Ogg(〜24bit/〜192kHz)

Support for internal storage, SD card slot, and external storage via USB OTG. The cool thing is showing the rate of the file on the top as well as the rate that's reaching the USB DAC

 

It looks great. I'm interested in it. Too bad everything's in Japanese.

Is there anything else than HibyMusic, UAPP, and this one?

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Onkyo HF Player for Android with Hi-Res driver support cooming soon too. http://www.phileweb.com/sp/news/audio/201412/20/15346.html

 

[kawaivpc1]

Onkyo HF Player for Android with Hi-Res driver support cooming soon too. http://www.phileweb.com/sp/news/audio/201412/20/15346.html

Looks interesting. Their current Onkyo player supports FLAC but it will downsample everything above 88.2kHz.
I can't read Japanese. Are they saying it will support DSD with high res USB driver?