Android phones and USB DACs
Sep 17, 2012 at 2:17 PM Post #316 of 9,526
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:19 PM Post #317 of 9,526
Quote:
Brand new product from Ray Samuel :  " The Intruder ":  sort of SR71B (fully ballanced AMP) but... WITH a DAC ! 
 
--> This may be the ultimate "ONE BOX ONLY" solution for Android phone/tablet ?
 
Plus, I will be also able to use it with my laptop...to justify the buying cost :)
 
http://raysamuelsaudio.com/products/intruder
  
 
I already dream of :  Galaxy3 or tablet + 128 Go of loseless music inside + the above DAC/AMP attached to it.....   is it possible ?

 
 
It’s possible.
 
The Galaxy S3 can have internal 64GB memory storage plus external 64GB memory card.
According to the online retailer Clove, the 64GB Galaxy S3 will be landing in early October.
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2012/08/17/samsung-galaxy-s3-black-will-have-64gb-storage-coming-early-october/
 
And 128GB microSD memory card will arrive.
http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?SearchText=128gb+micro+sd&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y
 
And the Galaxy S3 can be connected to a USB hard drive.
 
 
The Galaxy S III can interwork with the RSA Predator:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/150#post_8538933
 
 
 
 

Quote:
Android would be pretty much limited to 44.1/16 because everything is re-sampled automatically.
 

 
 
For the time being the Google people ignore the standard USB audio. They can’t put limitations on something they ignore!
 
As Linux Android is open source, Samsung doesn’t have to follow blindly Google, and the Samsung people have implemented the Linux ALSA USB audio on their Galaxy S3.
 
The USB Audio Driver for ALSA (of the SGS3) is able to drive USB Audio Class 2 (UAC2) devices (i.e. USB DAC playing up to 32/384).
https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/blob/master/sound/usb/card.c#L2
 
2 *   (Tentative) USB Audio Driver for ALSA
 
227 case UAC_VERSION_1: {
 
246 case UAC_VERSION_2: { 
 
 
"USB Audio class 1 is limited to 24 bits/ 96 kHz maximum.
From mid-2010 on both OSX and Linux supports USB audio class 2 natively.
If the DAC is USB audio class 2 compliant it will play up to 32/384 on these systems without the need to install additional drivers."
http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC_Async.htm
 
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:24 PM Post #318 of 9,526
Hi, I was searching for new dap.
-Large memory (16 gb or higher. hdd will be better)
-sdxc support(i heard that some sdxc 3.0 cards are compatible with regular sdhc slots. But the new 4.0 cards requires sdxc slots-- Could someone confirm it?)
-Android OS

But i have found nothing, as expected. So i decided to buy an smartphone and combine it with fiio e17 dac(and in the future time other dacs)

Which smartphones supports e17 dac? Is there a list for android smartphones/tablets that supports e17? where to find that list?

inb4: I cant afford s3. It is out of my budget.
 
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:36 PM Post #319 of 9,526
A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with a custom Android-powered tablet Asus/Google Nexus 7:
 
custom Google Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable (Micro-A plug inserted in the Nexus 7) >> standard USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
 
Customizing Nexus 7:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/627459/use-a-standard-usb-dac-with-a-nexus-7-step-by-step-guide
http://www.whathifi.com/forum/dacs/portable-dac-for-nexus-7
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/225#post_8599585
 
 
 
. ESi Dr. DAC nano: (Nexus 7 >> USB out >> Dr DAC nano >> SPDIF out)
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/drdacnano/
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/30129-kernel-nexus-7-cifsnfsusb-otg-gpu-oc-cpu-oc-072912/page__st__60#entry934016
 
. FiiO E7 (USB DAC/amp):
http://fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=28&MenuID=020301
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=30281733&postcount=83
 
. FiiO E10 (USB DAC/amp):
http://fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=37&MenuID=020301
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29805237&highlight=asound#post29805237
 
. FiiO E17 (USB DAC/amp):
http://fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=42&MenuID=020302
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/285#post_8696566
 
. iBasso D10 (USB DAC/amp):
http://ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=39
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/30129-kernel-nexus-7-cifsnfsusb-otg-gpu-oc-cpu-oc-072912/page__st__50#entry931191
 
. Logitech Gaming Headset G930:
http://reviews.cnet.com/headsets/logitech-gaming-headset-g930/4505-13831_7-34152980.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=30590889&postcount=1409
 
. Practical Devices XM6 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.practicaldevices.com/purchase_xm6.htm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/624085/android-devices-compatible-with-usb-dac-audio-out#post_8636550
 
. Turtle Beach Micro II:
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/sound-cards/audio-advantage-micro-ii.aspx
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs-how-to-increase-the-issues-priority-with-google/210#post_8565219
 
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:57 PM Post #320 of 9,526
Quote:
For the time being the Google people ignore the standard USB audio. They can’t put limitations on something they ignore!

 They can
 
even though android is linux based. The kernels are modified for specific configuration.
 
That is why RockChip is SPDIF streaming the native resolution to the ESS directly. They HAD to bypass the google mediaplayer as the google mediaplayer limits all audio copdec to no more than 24b/48khz. 24bit is not dithered in android and no downsampling of 48khz is supplied. My guess, to much resources to do that.

Same with playing 24b/192khz. Bandwidth requirements are significantly higher.
 
Per http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html
 
 
 
Type Format / Codec Encoder Decoder Details Supported File Type(s) / Container Formats
Audio AAC LC/LTP
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
Mono/Stereo content in any combination of standard bit rates up to 160 kbps and sampling rates from 8 to 48kHz • 3GPP (.3gp)
• MPEG-4 (.mp4, .m4a)
• ADTS raw AAC (.aac, decode in Android 3.1+, encode in Android 4.0+, ADIF not supported)
• MPEG-TS (.ts, not seekable, Android 3.0+)
HE-AACv1 (AAC+)  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+)  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
AMR-NB
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
4.75 to 12.2 kbps sampled @ 8kHz 3GPP (.3gp)
AMR-WB
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
9 rates from 6.60 kbit/s to 23.85 kbit/s sampled @ 16kHz 3GPP (.3gp)
FLAC  
[size=large][size=larger]•[/size][/size]
[size=smaller][size=x-small](Android 3.1+)[/size][/size]​
Mono/Stereo (no multichannel). Sample rates up to 48 kHz (but up to 44.1 kHz is recommended on devices with 44.1 kHz output, as the 48 to 44.1 kHz downsampler does not include a low-pass filter). 16-bit recommended; no dither applied for 24-bit. FLAC (.flac) only
MP3  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
Mono/Stereo 8-320Kbps constant (CBR) or variable bit-rate (VBR) MP3 (.mp3)
MIDI  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
MIDI Type 0 and 1. DLS Version 1 and 2. XMF and Mobile XMF. Support for ringtone formats RTTTL/RTX, OTA, and iMelody • Type 0 and 1 (.mid, .xmf, .mxmf)
• RTTTL/RTX (.rtttl, .rtx)
• OTA (.ota)
• iMelody (.imy)
Vorbis  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
  • Ogg (.ogg)
• Matroska (.mkv, Android 4.0+)
PCM/WAVE  
[size=larger][size=large]•[/size][/size]​
8- and 16-bit linear PCM (rates up to limit of hardware) WAVE
 
This requires some crafty custom coding to get around (meaning from the codec support of the player to the Kernel support if special hardware is used).
 
Sep 18, 2012 at 3:58 AM Post #321 of 9,526
Samsung Galaxy S III & Objective DAC:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/611778/brief-odac-impressions
 
stock Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> ODAC (i.e. Epiphany Acoustics E-DAC) >> Neco V3
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
ODAC:
http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Epiphany-Acoustics-E-DAC-24-bit-USB-DAC-Review_339/Review.html
 
Neco V3:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/75
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/new-V3-DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier/140847730118?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=004&category=14970&cmd=ViewItem
 
ODAC + Neco V3:
"It is by far the best usb dac i have ever owned. No thoughts of bothering to look for an upgrade. At my age i am sure it will see me out. 
Using it with a Neco Soundlab V3 and Grado SR-325is's.Nirvana at last...."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/619309/epiphany-acoustics-e-dac-review-thread#post_8684811
 
"ODAC + NECO V.3 + Sennheiser HD580 = A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.
I can't tell you how beautiful this rig sounds.  We all know how well the HD580/600 scales with better sources and amps.. but synergy is often undervalued.  The ODAC is beautifully resolving and clean.. but the Neco really steals the show, IMO."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/105#post_8549304
 
"It's downright disturbing how incredible this combo sounds with the HE-500.  In fact, it should probably be illegal (**looks at Arizona**).
When driving the HE-500. I like this combo more than the O2."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/105#post_8478902
 
Sep 18, 2012 at 11:20 AM Post #324 of 9,526
This was today's quick test. Galaxy S3 (4.0.4) with VentureCraft Go-DAP X. Sorry, taken with my iPhone and the Go-DAP X was underneath :-
 
 

 

 

 
Sep 18, 2012 at 10:20 PM Post #326 of 9,526
Quote:
 
 
...umm. did it work? lol.

 
Yes it did and its SQ was appealing to my ears. Wouldn't hesitate in recommending others in trying/demo-ing this combo.
 
Sep 19, 2012 at 5:15 AM Post #328 of 9,526
This thread is awesome... Thinking about getting a S3 to pair up with my E17.
biggrin.gif
 Subbed!
 
Sep 19, 2012 at 5:28 AM Post #329 of 9,526
I connected an HRT Music Streamer DAC to my Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet now that the Galaxy 10.1 has Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)  and using a "USB Sound Test Tool App" I was able to get sound out of it.
 
Not sure how to use an outboard DAC without the "USB Sound Test Tool App" - there don't seem to be settings anywhere in Android or any of the audio apps I've (briefly) looked at to "route" sound output to the USB DAC. I'm sure this will all be clarified in the fullness of time....
 
In other words, I don't see a way to select the USB DAC as the audio output device as default or for a given app or anything.  Maybe there is an audio player app that I need to be using?
 
(By the way, since the HRT Streamer DAC is USB powered, I needed to connect it via a powered USB hub; the tablet will not power it and it will tell you so.)
 

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