[west0ne]

  Ah, ok I see. My experience is with a Nexus 6P that appeared to output everything at 192 to a Mojo...  This led me to dedicating an old Sony Xperia Z3C (running 4.4.4) to being a DAP as it uses a Sony driver to avoid android media layer.... That appears to output source rate from all apps to the DAC

The Z3 running 4.4.x seems to be a popular choice because it does USB audio properly and passes audio direct to the DAC. Later firmware versions lost this when USB audio became standard in Android, unfortunately the baked-in version isn't as good. Don't be tempted to update that Z3.

 

[SteveUK]

  The Z3 running 4.4.x seems to be a popular choice because it does USB audio properly and passes audio direct to the DAC. Later firmware versions lost this when USB audio became standard in Android, unfortunately the baked-in version isn't as good. Don't be tempted to update that Z3.

Indeed!  I actually bought it second hand and the previous owner had "helpfully" updated it!  Hours of fun rooting and flashing ensued to get it back to stock 4.4.4!

 

[Roen]

The Z3 running 4.4.x seems to be a popular choice because it does USB audio properly and passes audio direct to the DAC. Later firmware versions lost this when USB audio became standard in Android, unfortunately the baked-in version isn't as good. Don't be tempted to update that Z3.

Any specific model of the Z3 to get? There's lots of T-mobile ones on eBay.

 

[SteveUK]

Any specific model of the Z3 to get? There's lots of T-mobile ones on eBay.

I can certainly recommend the Z3 Compact. If it still runs 4.4.4 it'll save you the hassles I had of  trying to "downgrade". Other than the USB advantages, the Z3 and Z3C take SD cards - a big as you can get... I use a 200G card happily (just format it FAT).
The Compact is a decent size to pair with a DAC like the mojo as well.

 

[shuto77]

I just picked up an Encore MDSD DAC on the Classifieds. I'm excited to hear how good it sounds. I should have on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[Roen]

If I tell you the truth... no

I will try to find a dac compatible with 5.0.1

Geek out 450 seems to work
Http://www.head-fi.org/products/geek-out-450-usb-dac-and-headphone-amplifier

You should look for reviews of Tablets that output either 24/96 or dynamic into the Android Media Layer. That would be the only way to get what you want.

 

[SpiderNhan]

UAPP will upsample to your DAC's highest rate.

 

[Roen]

UAPP will upsample to your DAC's highest rate.

I use Bitperfect option in UAPP, but yes, you can get UAPP to upsample. I don't like it though. Hiby will also upsample.

Conversely, on my iPhone, i did like Onkyo's upsampling though.

Regardless, this won't help solve OP's problem of upsampling every audio app to the maximum rate supported by his DAC, ostensibly to stream.

 

[west0ne]

I use Bitperfect option in UAPP, but yes, you can get UAPP to upsample. I don't like it though. Hiby will also upsample.

Conversely, on my iPhone, i did like Onkyo's upsampling though.

Regardless, this won't help solve OP's problem of upsampling every audio app to the maximum rate supported by his DAC, ostensibly to stream.

With the speed and quality of the processors and software/algorithms in our modern devices how big of a deal is re-sampling? Clearly up-sampling can't add information that was never present in the first place but how much audible difference is there between the bitperfect and re-sampled stream?
 
For on the go use with a multipurpose device such as a phone/tablet should we really be too uptight about achieving bitperfect playback if the quality of any re-sampled audio is perfectly acceptable.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

IME, and to my ears, I prefer/better SQ on materials played Bitperfect on UAPP than upsampled (to DSD128, highest option) to Onkyo HF.

 

[west0ne]

IME, and to my ears, I prefer/better SQ on materials played Bitperfect on UAPP than upsampled (to DSD128, highest option) to Onkyo HF.

In my previous post I used the term bitperfect when in reality it was probably more appropriate to say 'correct sample rate'. As we know anything going through the Android audio system won't be bitperfect as it will hopefully through the Android DSP and volume control.

What are your thoughts on the audio quality of music that has been resample when there is no choice but to go through the Android audio system, Spotify for example.

I agree that there is a difference between audio going through Android and going through UAPP in bitperfect mode, how much of that is linked with sample rates and how much is Android DSP I don't know.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Players having built in USB drivers (UAPP, Onkyo HF, HibyMusic, Neutron MP etc.) bypasses ASL (Android Sound Layer) and passes audio directly to DAC/DAC Amps thru USB or USB OTG cables (some phones doesn't require OTG). 
 
If through ASL or using your smartphone by its self w/ or w/o a built in DAC (I have an LG V20), i still yet to see an app that passes the 24/192 barrier. UAPP, Onkyo HF, HibyMusic, Neutron MP, Poweramp Beta 704 can't play DSD alone (as is -> no conversion) in my LG V20 even its DAC supports it (on paper). Other apps I haven't have a clue how to verify. Apps have different sounds (little experiment: LINK) .
 
Basing on the premise above, playing thru the ASL, some apps can still upsample everything to 24/192. And have found favorable results. Not substantial, but there is an improvement. Depending on the source. On materials with better recording/conversion,  i have found there was little difference or have trouble discerning w/c is w/c (had a little experiment with Adobe Audition converting a 32bit wavefile to mp3/flac using best possible settings and it really sounds like the original -> to me).
 
On UAPP in bitperfect mode. I THINK, if i recall it correctly,  Davy (developer) says, files are converted to 32 bit float before outputing to 16/44 or 16/48. Bitperfect stuffs AS IS, no conversions, so no loosing of bits.
 
Hope had some help.

 

[west0ne]

m-i-c-k-e-yYour comment about favourable results when upsampling is interesting when you consider how many people seem to strive for bitperfect and consider any sort of resampling to be unacceptable.

I'm not sure I really hear much difference when audio is going through the media-layer but I certainly don't have any issues with it.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Sorry for not explaining further!
 
When I  said favorable results on upsampling. I referred it to the default sound, that dosen't mean I prefer it in general.

 
One of the best things in Android Audio is when Davy placed a Bitperfect option on its UAPP.
 
So to my ears, Bitperfect is my preference. Then upsample second. 

 

[Roen]

Upsampling has an effect, to my ears, of increasing airyness and sparkle slightly.

Depends if you like it. I have my moods.