Android phones and USB DACs

[west0ne]

If you go with the R6 you may still find yourself wanting/needing an external amp depending on the headphones you are planning on using. The output impedance looks to be 10 Ohm which could cause issues with IEMs (in fact many headphones will fall foul of the 1:8 rule) and the maximum power output on the single ended is quite low which could be problematic for use with harder to drive headphones. A lot of the other Android based dedicated DAPs seem to do better in both areas but don't have the direct to DAC playback (Fiio does in pure music mode).

 

[Tential]

Personal experience is, a decent external DAC will improve the sound quality of the Android handphone used no matter the software player used.

I have a USB DAC with a ES9028Q2M processor and AD797 opamp chips. I have tested it on my older (now retired) LG G4 running its default music player as well as the HiBy Music player. The differences in musicality are obvious with the default player. With the Hiby which supposedly supports bit perfect throughput too, there were some differences but pretty subtle unless I play it loud or if I were listening in a quiet environment, then it gets heard sufficiently clearly.

For on the move, like out in the park, on public transport, the differences are very much moot. But if listening at the desk at work, maybe it will make a difference to you.

But the key benefit of an external DAC with amplifier built in is the power delivery thats available on tap for harder to drive headphones or earphones. The iPhone dongle doesn't have sufficient power to drive high current draw ear /headphones to maximise their througput quality. Or those with high transitional phase impedance values. Some headphones such as the HD650 and HD800 have phase impedances that are 100~300% higher than its base levels, not the most friendly for low power devices.

It's mostly SQ I'm concerned about. Headphone pairing can be talked about later since I don't own headphones that I'm going to use with this currently. It's a brand new setup.
Would you still consider a USB DAC to be a worthwhile upgrade if you couldn't use the HiBy or UAPP apps and had to use the Android Player? Or would you rather have the Hiby R6?

If you go with the R6 you may still find yourself wanting/needing an external amp depending on the headphones you are planning on using. The output impedance looks to be 10 Ohm which could cause issues with IEMs (in fact many headphones will fall foul of the 1:8 rule) and the maximum power output on the single ended is quite low which could be problematic for use with harder to drive headphones. A lot of the other Android based dedicated DAPs seem to do better in both areas but don't have the direct to DAC playback (Fiio does in pure music mode).

It's a totally new setup, I'd buy the headphones that I need to work with the R6 within my budget.

 

[maxxevv]

In short : Yes.

 

[Tential]

Ordered the sabaj da2 dac. I have the KZ ATE, ZS3, and ZST. Also the ATH-m50x. Looks like I ordered a bunch of KZ headphonese since I break/lose them all the time. I think I'm going to order the ZS5 and ZS6(I really like the look of these specifically) next I guess. The foam tips that come with the ATE are really great, I cry every time I lose one of those tips. I really like foam tips now, was really confused as to whether I'd like foam, as well as the over the ear, but I really like both now. The ATH-m50x just sounds weak, I hope an amp fixes that. I really don't like to use the stock dac/amp ever since I updated my receiver, and then added a dedicated amplifier. I've always personally noticed a benefit having power on tap and using a decent processor.

 

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

My take...

Advantage of a smartphone + Dac/AMP setup are:
- future upgrades for both
- you can separate both (like mine - I use my V20 for daily computing and using my GO1k when in a hotel when I travel)

For A DAP:
- SQ
- convenience? no setups just plugin and go...

But there are Dac/Amps out there that equals or surpasses mainstream DAPs (Chord, LHLabs etc.)

On my experience. I am much happy of using my V20 alone. For daily computing, overnights etc. Purchasing a dedicated DAP for traveling extended periods.

 

[Devodonaldson]

Ordered the sabaj da2 dac. I have the KZ ATE, ZS3, and ZST. Also the ATH-m50x. Looks like I ordered a bunch of KZ headphonese since I break/lose them all the time. I think I'm going to order the ZS5 and ZS6(I really like the look of these specifically) next I guess. The foam tips that come with the ATE are really great, I cry every time I lose one of those tips. I really like foam tips now, was really confused as to whether I'd like foam, as well as the over the ear, but I really like both now. The ATH-m50x just sounds weak, I hope an amp fixes that. I really don't like to use the stock dac/amp ever since I updated my receiver, and then added a dedicated amplifier. I've always personally noticed a benefit having power on tap and using a decent processor.

DA2 is going to eat through your batterif upure connexrinc it to you primary phone. The DAC built in is not a typical Mobil DAC. Q2M is very power hungry. That's not the DAC you want if it's pulling power from your phone.

 

[Lifted Andreas]

DA2 is going to eat through your batterif upure connexrinc it to you primary phone. The DAC built in is not a typical Mobil DAC. Q2M is very power hungry. That's not the DAC you want if it's pulling power from your phone.

Agreed.

Something like a FiiO K1 would have been more suited for that purpose right?

 

[west0ne]

DA2 is going to eat through your batterif upure connexrinc it to you primary phone. The DAC built in is not a typical Mobil DAC. Q2M is very power hungry. That's not the DAC you want if it's pulling power from your phone.

You often see the SMSL Idea recommended for mobile use and as I understand it the DA2 and Idea are basically the same device. I was looking at this myself and hasn't realised that battery drain was such and issue as I hadn't seen it mentioned.

 

[Devodonaldson]

Agreed.

Something like a FiiO K1 would have been more suited for that purpose right?

K1 doesn't sound very good. Maybe a soundkey or dragonfly black

 

[Tential]

You often see the SMSL Idea recommended for mobile use and as I understand it the DA2 and Idea are basically the same device. I was looking at this myself and hasn't realised that battery drain was such and issue as I hadn't seen it mentioned.

I'll let you know Wednesday. I do believe I can return it since it was a Prime purchase. Amazon returns are really easy.
I'll probably keep it if it works well with my PC to remove the annoying hiss/makes podcasts audible without having to turn the volume to maximum on my phone.

 

[Devodonaldson]

I'll let you know Wednesday. I do believe I can return it since it was a Prime purchase. Amazon returns are really easy.
I'll probably keep it if it works well with my PC to remove the annoying hiss/makes podcasts audible without having to turn the volume to maximum on my phone.

You're going to like it though. ItsI replacing my dragonflD red as it sounds much better than the red, which I liked. Better bass response, wider soundstage, warmer presentation.cit only loses on battery drain. About 4 times that of red, but I use it in conjunction with a portable amp that has about 10 hrs battery life, so getting 8 hrs of playback from a dedicated phone turned DAP, imI happy with. But as stated my many regarding DA2 or IDEQ, this is not a DAC to connect to your primary phone

 

[Tential]

You're going to like it though. ItsI replacing my dragonflD red as it sounds much better than the red, which I liked. Better bass response, wider soundstage, warmer presentation.cit only loses on battery drain. About 4 times that of red, but I use it in conjunction with a portable amp that has about 10 hrs battery life, so getting 8 hrs of playback from a dedicated phone turned DAP, imI happy with. But as stated my many regarding DA2 or IDEQ, this is not a DAC to connect to your primary phone

Ya, I wish I had known that about the power draw. I just needed to order something and stop the inertia and get myself started. Otherwise, it's just 100s of hours of research for me (not an exaggeration), which usually the process is quickly expedited by having some product in hand for a reference point.
I've seen people say the Da is better on powerdraw than the DA2? If the Da works, how would that be in comparison to the K1?
I also ordered the KZ ZS6. Very interested to try out some new headphones. I could be all Chinese/Korean brand products very soon lol. Got to love the value and competition they bring.

Do you have a picture of your setup? I'd love to see how it looks and how you use it.

 

[Lifted Andreas]

K1 doesn't sound very good. Maybe a soundkey or dragonfly black

Thats a very subjective statement, I owned an used a K1 for almost a year and it sounded pretty good to my ears. Especially for the price!

I'd advise everyone to stay away from the Cyrus SoundKey due to the QC issues. DF black is a decent choice if you like the analytical Sabre sound signature.

 

[Devodonaldson]

Thats a very subjective statement, I owned an used a K1 for almost a year and it sounded pretty good to my ears. Especially for the price!

I'd advise everyone to stay away from the Cyrus SoundKey due to the QC issues. DF black is a decent choice if you like the analytical Sabre sound signature.

Yes, Definitely a subjective statement, as are most opinions when using the word sound. I didn't see the k1 as much of an upgrade, and taking into the consideration the extra battery drain on my mobile device (what this thread is about) greater SQ upgrades we're desired

 

[Tential]

You often see the SMSL Idea recommended for mobile use and as I understand it the DA2 and Idea are basically the same device. I was looking at this myself and hasn't realised that battery drain was such and issue as I hadn't seen it mentioned.

So haven't plugged it into my phone yet, it's charging now, but I plugged it into my desktop, and jesus these things have volume. I generally have to turn my PC up to maximum volume. With this I don't.
Now I am curious, should I turn my PC to 90% volume or so and control the volume through the DAC or is it ok to turn the volume up on the DAC and control it through the PC?
Otherwise, I love how much more full of a sound I'm getting from this. Felt like I was listening to a more muddy song through my PC where my car always sounded more articulate, granted those speakers/amp setup is dedicated vs my phone/pc having no dedicated focus on audio.

Is there anything like this that stacks? I guess I need the battery, this drained my battery quite fast (Still need to do a full test). I honestly think I could live with it though If I could also charge my phone at the same time. Might leave it connected my PC if I don't plan on getting a better Desktop DAP. If I can get 6-8 hours of battery life with this connected to my phone I really don't mind. Just will quick charge after. This sounds great. Especially with the KZ ZS6. Great headphones.