[slackerpo]

  USB Audio Player PRO 2.0 with a brand new user interface!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro&hl=fr
 
Furthermore, artist/album information is now also displayed for songs selected from the 'Local folder' and 'Network options'.
 
 

 
i wasnt expecting a full layout makeover so soon. i like it, i wasnt expecting the icon update though. just a few test to get use to it. really intuitive. great work!
 
i can confirm i can play full 24 bit via samba protocol (not that it couldnt be done in the older one). it seems the transfer is even more fluid...might be the resetup i did on the buffer though, in any case: IM LOVING IT.

 

[Steve Wilcox]

  Let's suppose the HRT microStreamer is compatible with the native USB audio of your HTC One M7.
music file >> stock music player (or YouTube) running on HTC One M7 >> USB OTG adapter cable + regular USB cable provided by HRT >> HRT microStreamer USB DAC/amp >> headphones
 
Each component should be separately tested.
Go to next test only if the ongoing test is successful.
 
. Test the HRT microStreamer with a PC or a Mac:
PC >> regular USB cable >>  HRT microStreamer >> headphones
 
 . Test the HTC One M7 with a USB OTG adapter cable and a simpler USB peripheral like a USB mouse or a USB keyboard:
HTC One M7 >> USB OTG adapter cable >> USB mouse
 
. Test the complete setup:
music file >> stock music player (or YouTube) running on HTC One M7 >> USB OTG adapter + regular USB cable >>HRT microStreamer USB DAC/amp >> headphones
 
 
If the last test is not successful, the current native USB audio of the HTC One M7 is apparently not compatible with the HRT microStreamer.
Then test the HRT microStreamer with one of the following three music player apps which include its own USB audio user-space driver (i.e. USB DAC driver):
. USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP): "Important: connect your device BEFORE starting the app, otherwise it will not get detected!"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro
. HibyMusic: free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hiby.music
. Onkyo HF Player
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.onkyo.jp.musicplayer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.onkyo.jp.hfplayer_unlocker
 
 


 
 
The Android media player framework can only output 48kHz PCM audio to an external USB DAC for the time being.
USB Audio Player PRO, HibyMusic and Onkyo HF Player can play and output high resolution audio. They can also play DSD music file and output DSD over PCM (DoP).
 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/6285#post_11306308
A list of USB OTG cables:
http://goo.gl/4JyOe5
 
 
 
Android USB Audio is in the first step of development.
The FiiO E17 USB DAC/amp for example was not compatible with the first version of USB audio of the Samsung Galaxy S3. The E17 can now work with the S3.
 
It is not easy for the latest entrants (Samsung, Sony, HTC, LG, ..., 3rd party USB audio developers like UAPP developer or Onkyo, and now Google with Android 5.0 Lollipop) in the existing USB DAC jungle because the USB specification allows some variability.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4080#post_10270550
 
The latest entrants have to adapt their USB audio implementation to (most) existing USB DACs.
They have to be compatible with different interpretations of the USB specification.
 
Once the native Google USB audio becomes mature, it will very likely become a reference USB audio implementation in the USB DAC industry used  for testing by the developers of new USB DACs, i.e. these USB DAC developers will have to adopt the Google interpretation of the USB specification, because a "professional" USB DAC maker should not ignore Android, the biggest computing device market share.
 
The XMOS Multi-Function Audio Design Reference is used by many USB DAC makers to speed up the development of their USB DAC compatible with PC, Mac and Android; and the XMOS developers test it against PC, Mac and some key Android devices.
 

 

 

Thanks for all this detail Dan Ba - and sorry to take so long to get back to the thread.
 
The stock music player does not play ball with the microstreamer but USB Audio Player Pro plays fine - just as it did with Android Kit Kat - so Lollipop hasn't brought anything new to me, at least audio wise.
 
A couple of asides:
 
Was playing Van Morrison's Born to Sing album to test - what a great and beautifully recorded album - played from my phone, through the microstreamer and into my HiFi Man in ears it sounded tremendous; it's so frustrating not being able to get Tidal to work with the microstreamer.  HRT have told me that the new DSP "should" work with Tidal in this set up so I may give it a try after seeing some reviews.
 
I wish one of the major phone manufacturers would develop an audio focussed smartphone - portable DAC/amps are becoming so small and light, and sounding better and better, it would be great to have a good one (eg the microstreamer) built in from the outset, making the whole setup so much more convenient.

 

[XipeTotec]

I love this thread, I'll post my rig soon as I put my hands on my new iBasso Mk2

 

[Dr J]

Thank you DanBa for the excellent management of the information in this stream and everybody for the very valuable information!
 
Thought to contribute a few bits of information and also ask a few questions to which I did not find easily answers using the search, in case someone has experience with those.
 
 
Information on a working set-up:
 
I can confirm that the following setups work in the sense that I can get the sound out through the micro-USB connector.
 
- Phone: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact with Android 4.4.4
- Audio format: 44.1kHz 16 bit files (do not have high res files)
- Players (file format): USB Audio Player Pro (FLAC), Walkman(FLAC), Spotify (best quality), Tidal(Hifi=FLAC), Deezer(high resolution =?)
- DAC: --> OTG-cable --> CLAS Solo-db --> amp --> headphones.
 
In audio settings, I disabled all sound processing expect the "Hi-Res Audio from USB".
 
I understood from some earlier posts that the Walkman player and  UAPP bypass all processing within the Z3 when outputting to USB. Indeed at least the normal Z3 volume up and down are disabled (unless explicitly allowed in UAPP, did not try enabling them, though). This applies also for Tidal and Deezer. However, Spotify allowed changing the volume level, not sure how that is implemented so maybe does not bypass the Android sound mixer and processing.
 
Once I get a bit more time and find the right cables, I can check the output frequency and bit depth just in case as well. In any case, the sound quality esp. from Tidal  was OK, based on a very quick listen there were no immediate issues compared to the same set-up fed with iPod Classic 7th gen.
 
 
Questions:
 
1. I am trying to expand the storage space of the Z3 compact to 256GB or above for using as transportable setup when flying. (FLAC files need space and I do like to have all of my music with me...),
 
Meaning I would like to avoid solutions based on wifi or in general radio connection to a mass storage, and to minimize the footprint of the setup which is large enough with the CLAS and the amp as it is.
 
Is it known to be feasible to use non-(battery)powered USB hub with in-built or separate SDXC card reader to both read the music files from the 256GB card and at the same time feed the USB audio stream to DAC, Solo -DB in particular? Which non-powered USB hubs/readers have proven to be reliable with Android and SDXC cards?
 
I understand that there could be a problem with the power needed for the USB hub, card and the dac although CLAS is supposed to be powered by its internal battery.
 
E.g. this Transced RDP9 looked a very simple and promising solution for my purposes: http://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-630
 
If this is not feasible, I'll can later compile a list of the powered USB hub solutions mentioned in this thread and ask further about experiences with those.
 
Any hints on other ways to expand the storage capacity would also be welcome. I would rather not wait for a 500$+(?) 256GB micro-SD card to be available at some point in the future, as the largest one currently announced seems to be 200GB. Using the SD to micro-SD adapter could be feasible, but the Z3 hides the USB port under a cover and the adapter cable running between a cover and being stored and banged around in my very light weight case seems a bit accident prone....
 
2. When using the UAPP, I can select HW or SW volume control to be active or none.
 
The "none" I assume passes the signal bit-perfect to the DAC, but do I understand correctly that the "HW" means that the volume is controlled in the DAC hardware, in this case Solo-DB?

 

[Dr J]

Further data points:
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4 did not work with USB OTG --> Schiit Modi USB
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4 worked with USB OTG --> Schiit Wyrd --> Schiit Modi USB. Also, Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and and Z3 compact work in this setup.
 
--> Schiit Wyrd between Android phone and DAC a potential general desktop solution for phones and DACs that do not play nice together?
 
-----
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4.x worked with Epiphany Acoustics ODac (as listed in Dan Ba's list).
 
Upgrade of Samsung Galaxy S4 4g to Android 5.0.x broke the compatibility with ODac, could not fix with quick fiddling around with audio settings

 

[Rutti]

Hi fellow audiophiles! 
 
I am currently using my Shure SE535s and I've just bought an JDS LABS C5D. I've also just bought an Samsung Galaxy Note Edge but the thing is that I've been only using iPhones. 
 
My question is: How do I get the music to play on my headphones and not my speakers when I've connected everything through the micro usb output? Is there an setting on this matter? Or does it simply not work? 

 

[XipeTotec]

  Hi fellow audiophiles! 
 
I am currently using my Shure SE535s and I've just bought an JDS LABS C5D. I've also just bought an Samsung Galaxy Note Edge but the thing is that I've been only using iPhones. 
 
My question is: How do I get the music to play on my headphones and not my speakers when I've connected everything through the micro usb output? Is there an setting on this matter? Or does it simply not work? 

as long as i learnt here, depends on the device and on the android version you are running.
check this thread and you will find instructions. Just start from the start, i was able to find the infos in 5 minutes. For sure you need to use an OTG cable
 
MOD
check this out
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/3120#post_9812477

 

[XipeTotec]

Well, i'd like to say thank you to DanBa for his list.
Accordingly to the infos, I can't use OTG audio on my Samsung Galaxy 2 (i'm waiting my iBasso amp/dac, and i run custom rom+kernel so i'll try and i'll make you know if there is a workaround)
Though, I have seen THIS on youtube. It seems an sgs2 and it seems that the guy can run audio stream through sgs2 usb port.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skgEKS4uzWA
 
any opinion?

 

[DanBa]

 
 
Questions:
 
1. I am trying to expand the storage space of the Z3 compact to 256GB or above for using as transportable setup when flying. (FLAC files need space and I do like to have all of my music with me...),
 
Meaning I would like to avoid solutions based on wifi or in general radio connection to a mass storage, and to minimize the footprint of the setup which is large enough with the CLAS and the amp as it is.
 
Is it known to be feasible to use non-(battery)powered USB hub with in-built or separate SDXC card reader to both read the music files from the 256GB card and at the same time feed the USB audio stream to DAC, Solo -DB in particular? Which non-powered USB hubs/readers have proven to be reliable with Android and SDXC cards?
 
I understand that there could be a problem with the power needed for the USB hub, card and the dac although CLAS is supposed to be powered by its internal battery.
 
E.g. this Transced RDP9 looked a very simple and promising solution for my purposes: http://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-630
 
If this is not feasible, I'll can later compile a list of the powered USB hub solutions mentioned in this thread and ask further about experiences with those.
 
Any hints on other ways to expand the storage capacity would also be welcome. I would rather not wait for a 500$+(?) 256GB micro-SD card to be available at some point in the future, as the largest one currently announced seems to be 200GB. Using the SD to micro-SD adapter could be feasible, but the Z3 hides the USB port under a cover and the adapter cable running between a cover and being stored and banged around in my very light weight case seems a bit accident prone....
 

 
It depends on the power required by the USB peripheral (i.e. USB card reader, USB memory stick, USB hard disk drive, ....).
Many USB hubs can operate as either bus powered or self powered hubs (i.e. powered by battery pack or AC adapter).
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4860#post_10621362
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4710#post_10544580
 

 
 

  2. When using the UAPP, I can select HW or SW volume control to be active or none.
 
The "none" I assume passes the signal bit-perfect to the DAC, but do I understand correctly that the "HW" means that the volume is controlled in the DAC hardware, in this case Solo-DB?

 
It's also my understanding.
 
 
 

  Further data points:
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4 did not work with USB OTG --> Schiit Modi USB
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4 worked with USB OTG --> Schiit Wyrd --> Schiit Modi USB. Also, Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and and Z3 compact work in this setup.
 
--> Schiit Wyrd between Android phone and DAC a potential general desktop solution for phones and DACs that do not play nice together?
 

 
How about if you replace the Schitt Wyrd by a powered USB hub?
 
 
 

 
 
Samsung Galaxy S4 4g Android 4.4.x worked with Epiphany Acoustics ODac (as listed in Dan Ba's list).
 
Upgrade of Samsung Galaxy S4 4g to Android 5.0.x broke the compatibility with ODac, could not fix with quick fiddling around with audio settings
 

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/6315#post_11327116

 

[DanBa]

  Hi fellow audiophiles! 
 
I am currently using my Shure SE535s and I've just bought an JDS LABS C5D. I've also just bought an Samsung Galaxy Note Edge but the thing is that I've been only using iPhones. 
 
My question is: How do I get the music to play on my headphones and not my speakers when I've connected everything through the micro usb output? Is there an setting on this matter? Or does it simply not work? 

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/6390#post_11387768
 
Replace "HRT microStreamer" by JDS Labs C5D" and "HTC One M7" by "Galaxy Note Edge".

 

[DanBa]

  Well, i'd like to say thank you to DanBa for his list.
Accordingly to the infos, I can't use OTG audio on my Samsung Galaxy 2 (i'm waiting my iBasso amp/dac, and i run custom rom+kernel so i'll try and i'll make you know if there is a workaround)
Though, I have seen THIS on youtube. It seems an sgs2 and it seems that the guy can run audio stream through sgs2 usb port.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skgEKS4uzWA
 
any opinion?

 
It's Samsung-proprietary analog USB audio (i.e. Samsung-proprietary line-out):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/450#post_8764207
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/540#post_8563128

 

[XipeTotec]

   
It's Samsung-proprietary analog USB audio (i.e. Samsung-proprietary line-out):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/450#post_8764207
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/540#post_8563128

so basically i have to follow your instructions for SGS3?
 
Samsung Galaxy S III USB out bypassing the internal DAC:
Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream > micro USB connector >> USB OTG cable >> standard USB DAC >> amp >> headphones

 

[Dr J]

Thanks for the reply and links, DanBa!
 
I need to explore the hubs and cards to find out about the power needs in specs and in reality.
 
However, having looked at several of the hubs, they seem to promise compatibility with SDHC, but not sure if they are compatible with SDXC. In fact some hubs that look exactly the same state specifically they do not work with SDXC and some state that they work with SDXC. That is why I was asking if anyone has experience with SDXC cards working in a non-powered hub. I also believe that the power requirement for at least faster SDXC is higher than SDHC.
 
Schiit Wyrd is both a) "USB de-crapifier" implementing USB audio input and output in solid fully standard compliant way (and ensuring good quality clocking), and a 2) powered USB hub with only one slot and its own wall-wart power source, so I guess another powered hub could work as well.
 
But I was thinking that maybe the "USB de-crapifier" part could solve compatibility problems between android devices and dacs that a powered USB hub cannot solve. Just a hypothesis at the moment, to be explored. I will test once I have purchased some powered USB hubs.
 
 
Quote:

  It depends on the power required by the USB peripheral (i.e. USB card reader, USB memory stick, USB hard disk drive, ....).
 
How about if you replace the Schitt Wyrd by a powered USB hub?

 

[DanBa]

  Well, i'd like to say thank you to DanBa for his list.
Accordingly to the infos, I can't use OTG audio on my Samsung Galaxy 2 (i'm waiting my iBasso amp/dac, and i run custom rom+kernel so i'll try and i'll make you know if there is a workaround)
Though, I have seen THIS on youtube. It seems an sgs2 and it seems that the guy can run audio stream through sgs2 usb port.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skgEKS4uzWA
 
any opinion?

 
The Samsung Galaxy S2 can't drive any USB DAC because its USB host driver doesn't have the isochronous transfer feature that is needed to interact with a USB DAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1635#post_9133931
 
 
Setup of the guy on YouTube:
"Creds to TheBeano at XDA-forum for providing the proper resistor value (619k ohm) to activate the car dock mode."

Samsung Galaxy S2 line out bypassing the internal amp of the SGS2:
SGS2's music player > digital audio stream > SGS2's internal DAC > analog audio stream > SGS2's micro USB connector >> DIY USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor which switches the SGS2 in Samsung car dock mode (i.e. Samsung analog USB audio) >> amp > speaker
 
 
USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor => Samsung analog USB audio
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2160#post_9368775 
SGS2's music player > digital audio stream > SGS2's internal DAC > analog audio stream > SGS2's micro USB connector >> DIY USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor which switches the SGS2 in Samsung car dock mode (i.e. Samsung analog USB audio) >> amp >> headphones
 
 
USB cable with a 0 ohm resistor (i.e. USB OTG cable with ID pin connected to the GND pin) => standard digital USB audio
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2205#post_9399011
SGS3's music player > digital audio stream > SGS3's micro USB connector >> USB OTG cable >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones 

 

[XipeTotec]

   
The Samsung Galaxy S2 can't drive any USB DAC because its USB host driver doesn't have the isochronous transfer feature that is needed to interact with a USB DAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1635#post_9133931
 
 
Setup of the guy on YouTube:
"Creds to TheBeano at XDA-forum for providing the proper resistor value (619k ohm) to activate the car dock mode."

Samsung Galaxy S2 line out bypassing the internal amp of the SGS2:
SGS2's music player > digital audio stream > SGS2's internal DAC > analog audio stream > SGS2's micro USB connector >> DIY USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor which switches the SGS2 in Samsung car dock mode (i.e. Samsung analog USB audio) >> amp > speaker
 
 
USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor => Samsung analog USB audio
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2160#post_9368775 
SGS2's music player > digital audio stream > SGS2's internal DAC > analog audio stream > SGS2's micro USB connector >> DIY USB cable with a 619K ohm resistor which switches the SGS2 in Samsung car dock mode (i.e. Samsung analog USB audio) >> amp >> headphones
 
 
USB cable with a 0 ohm resistor (i.e. USB OTG cable with ID pin connected to the GND pin) => standard digital USB audio
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/2205#post_9399011
SGS3's music player > digital audio stream > SGS3's micro USB connector >> USB OTG cable >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones 

thank you very much for the detailed info.
This link 
The Samsung Galaxy S2 can't drive any USB DAC because its USB host driver doesn't have the isochronous transfer feature that is needed to interact with a USB DAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1635#post_9133931
suggest the hypothesis that a custom made kernel can bypass the internal DAC?