Android phones and USB DACs
Aug 2, 2012 at 10:01 AM Post #228 of 9,526
Quote:
btw, I've just received a newsletter from FiiO stating that they would be demo'ing a prototype "Android cellphone DAC Amp" at HKTDC this year. Yay FiiO!


judging from the below link, looks like it will be around October then (for demo). Release to follow at some point after I guess.
 
http://www.hktdc.com/info/trade-events/EX/en/Exhibitions.htm
 
Aug 2, 2012 at 1:21 PM Post #229 of 9,526
I hope this gets sorted soon, as I had a Nexus 7 (had screen lift issues so went back) - and the SQ was rather poor compared to my Iphone 4 and Wife's IPAD 3
 
annoyingly poor, was even noticeable with low-bitrate videos etc - so to add a DAC to it would be great :)
 
atm - looks like my best option is an IPAD 3, or for extreme qualty an IPAD 3 + external DAC
 
obviously a Nexus 7 + external DAC would be much cheaper :)
 
Aug 4, 2012 at 7:12 AM Post #230 of 9,526
A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S III for the time being:
 
Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable with USB Micro-A plug inserted in the S III >> standard USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
 
. AMB Labs Gamma2:
http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma2/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=27247705&postcount=279
 
. Behringer UCA222:
http://www.behringer.com/en/Products/UCA222.aspx
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-audio-enabled-android-powered-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-12338/#post171651
 
. Beresford Caiman:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-accessories/beresford-caiman-673787/review
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-audio-enabled-android-powered-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-12338/#post171651
 
. C-Media chipset-based sound card Dynamode 7 channel USB 2.0 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.chinacomputerparts.com/d-p1140199199635616900-cables/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=27604946&postcount=449
 
. Cakewalk Sonar SPS 25:
https://www.cakewalk.com/support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013101
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-audio-enabled-android-powered-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-12338/#post171651
 
. Corsair HS1 Gaming headset (USB DAC/amp/headphones):
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3989/corsair-hs1-gaming-headset
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27238117#post27238117
 
. FiiO E7 (USB DAC/amp):
http://fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=28&MenuID=020301
http://www.androidnz.net/2012/07/galaxy-s-iii-real-user-review-part-2.html
 
. Furutech ADL Cruise (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.furutech.com/a2008/product2.asp?prodNo=399
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/585#post_8567838
 
. GoVibe DAC:
http://jaben.net/forums/index.php?topic=2824.0
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2440879&st=500&p=53317360&#entry53317360
 
. GoVibe Mini USB DAC:
http://www.jaben.com.au/collections/go-vibe/products/govibe-minidac
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally-digital-out-for-galaxy-siii/15#post_8525675
 
. GoVibe Petite (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/290711/govibe-petite-dac-amp-appreciation-thread-pics-little-update
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs-how-to-increase-the-issues-priority-with-google/195#post_8552452
 
. HRT Music Streamer II:
http://highresolutiontechnologies.com/music-streamer-ii
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/465#post_8534856
 
. HeadAmp Pico (USB DAC/amp): (apparently with only US S III for the time being)
http://www.headamp.com/pico/pico_dac_amp/index.htm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/480#post_8539705
 
. HeadRoom Total BitHead (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headphone.com/learning-center/bithead-faq.php
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs-how-to-increase-the-issues-priority-with-google/135#post_8527516
 
. HiFiMan Express HM-101:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/571330/hifiman-express-brand-and-hm-101-portable-usb-dac
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=27284184&postcount=291
 
. iBasso D-Zero (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=73
http://neutronmp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=314&start=20#p1636
 
. iBasso D2 Boa (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=30
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/pictures-of-your-portable-rig-part-xv/5535#post_8509186
 
. iBasso D2+ Boa (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=42
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-audio-enabled-android-powered-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-12338/#post171651
 
. iBasso D5 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/556490/ibasso-d5-hj-yet-another-usb-dac-amp
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally-digital-out-for-galaxy-siii/15#post_8498377
 
. iBasso D12 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=63
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29069294&postcount=924
 
. KingRex UD-01:
http://www.kingrex.co.uk/dac.html
https://www.facebook.com/headfonia/posts/352787358128700
 
. Microsoft Philips Digital Sound System 80 (USB DAC/amp/speakers):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Sound_System_80
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1703218
 
. NuForce Icon HDP (USB DAC/preamp/amp):
http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconhdp/index.php
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/585#post_8567838
 
. Objective DAC (ODAC):
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-products/e-dac-24bit-miniature-usb-dac/
http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46
http://www.headnhifi.com/index.php/shop/objective/odac
https://plus.google.com/107354758331405644147/posts/PCaM42irMeU
 
. ODAC+O2 (USB DAC/amp):
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-products/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/
http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=48
http://www.headnhifi.com/index.php/shop/objective/o2120527192048
https://plus.google.com/107354758331405644147/posts/PCaM42irMeU
 
. Ordnance .25 (USB DAC/amp):
http://jaben.net/forums/index.php?topic=9984.0
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally-digital-out-for-galaxy-siii#post_8462693
 
. Topping D1 Mark 2 (USB DAC/amp):
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh-TW%7Cen&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&u=http://www.tpdz.net/produce.asp%3Fid%3D25&usg=ALkJrhhte1Q6A1NnVWodszs9J4x85vGfDg
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28673076&postcount=871
 
. Topping TP30 (USB DAC/amp):
http://news.cnet.com/8300-5_3-0.html?keyword=Topping+TP-30
http://www.androidnz.net/2012/05/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-usb-audio.html
 
Aug 7, 2012 at 6:55 AM Post #231 of 9,526
[size=12.727272033691406px]Apparently "Galaxy S III + (some) USB DAC" and "(some) computer + (some) USB DAC" have at least the same sound quality:[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px]"How about the SQ of the S3 + NuForce Icon HDP? What headphones do you use?"[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px]"It's quite good. Slightly, not very noticeable, better than it was connected to my computer.[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px]So if you wanna know more about this, you can just simply refer to those review of HDP.[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px]P.S. I am using HD600 & UM1 for testing"[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
[size=12.727272033691406px]http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/585#post_857179
7
[/size][size=12.727272033691406px][/size]
 
 
Aug 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM Post #232 of 9,526
A custom Nexus 7 interworks with a standard USB DAC FiiO E10 (that doesn’t work with stock Samsung Galaxy S III for the time being):
 
custom Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> USB DAC/amp FiiO E10 >> Sennheiser HD-380
 
Instructions for customizing a Nexus 7:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29805237&highlight=asound#post29805237
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?82110-Instructions-for-connecting-USB-DAC-to-Touch&highlight=Udev
 
[size=9.0pt]"Code:[/size]
[size=10.0pt]pcm.usbdac {[/size]
[size=10.0pt]type hw;[/size]
[size=10.0pt]card Audio;[/size]
[size=10.0pt]}[/size]
[size=10.0pt]ctl.usbdac {[/size]
[size=10.0pt]type hw;[/size]
[size=10.0pt]card Audio;[/size]
[size=10.0pt]}[/size]
[size=10.0pt]pcm.!default usbdac[/size]

 
[size=10.0pt]Back up your asound[/size][size=10.0pt].conf and add this (or for simplicity sake, replace it with this)[/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]This allows me to use my Nexus 7 to play over my Fiio E10 USB DAC, N7 + E10 + HD380 == fun.[/size]

 
[size=10.0pt]It's too late for me to work on combining this with the stock [/size][size=10pt]asound[/size][size=10pt].[/size][size=10.0pt]conf.[/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]It's in /etc/ on stock rom and works once replaced[/size]."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29830741&postcount=472


[size=10.0pt]"We are lucky, no such file or luck on GN or SGS3 yet, need to first understand how alsa works on those phones.[/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]Yes, double check you need the alteration. [/size]
[size=10.0pt]I never got sounds out the USB DAC without it. [/size]
And now with it, plays fine with DAC, but also when DAC is not plugged, plays sounds as if I never changed anything. 

Which is nice either way, not needing to change the file all the time. 

Need to find out if/how I can modify the default device for np and sgs3 now, they neither had nor sorry the file. 
No support meaning adding the file doesn't change anything there."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29857696&postcount=497
 
Aug 9, 2012 at 5:40 PM Post #234 of 9,526
That's awesome news about the N7 dude, very straightforward mod to enable standard USB audio! When I get mine back from my editor who is reviewing it I will try it out.
 
Aug 9, 2012 at 11:18 PM Post #235 of 9,526
I wonder how long will it take for Android device to support true 24bit USB DAC like the Ibasso DX100. Currently there is just no option to get the nice interface of an application like Poweramp and the quality of a true 24bit player.
 
Aug 10, 2012 at 1:00 AM Post #236 of 9,526
My understanding is that Android OS resamples everything to 44.1 16 stereo. Unless some way similar to ASIO or kernel streaming is implemented, I don't see this changing soon since USB audio was just recently added.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
 
Aug 10, 2012 at 4:40 PM Post #238 of 9,526
Android relies on Linux for core system services as driver model.
 
The Linux kernel of Android 4.x includes the USB audio driver for ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) which can be compliant with USB Audio Class 2 (UAC 2) devices allowing for 24 bits / 192 kHz among others.
https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/blob/master/sound/usb/card.c#L2
http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_Audio.htm
 
Modders have enabled the standard USB audio feature on Allwinner A10 tablets among others:
http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/33373-rom-cm9-nightlies/
http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/29289-usb-audio-cards-support-drivers-and-libs/
 
Hopefully Google and Android device manufacturers will enable the standard USB audio mode along with the Android-specific USB audio on their stock Android 4.1 devices.
It should be available to everyone, and not only for a few ones hacking their Android device.
 

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