Android phones and USB DACs | Page 42 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

NZtechfreak · Oct 24, 2012 at 3:58 PM

The problem with the E17 is more than just the power requirement I think, since it didn't work for me via a powered hub either.

BBEG · Oct 24, 2012 at 5:16 PM

Per DanBa, the problem is with the E17's USB port not being entirely to spec. However, there is at least one example of an Android phone working with it using only the SPDIF input (Meizu MX quad core). I'm willing to bet that can be repeated with the S3, but right now the most elegant solution to use an E17 is the hackshop OTG cable, tiny USB-SPDIF adapter, and a short coaxial cable from that and into the E17. I'm hunting now for someone who can make a custom single cable solution to do exactly.

DanBa · Oct 24, 2012 at 7:04 PM

[size=9.5pt]There are at least two USB DAC, working with the S3, which can act as USB - SPDIF adapter:.[/size]

[size=9.5pt]S3 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> Asus Xonar U3 or Syba SD-AUD20101 > digital SPDIF out >> optical cable >> FiiO E17 as SPDIF DAC/amp >> headphones[/size]

[size=9.5pt]Concerning the S3 – E17 non-interworking, there is a buggy FiiO E17 interface descriptor numbering.[/size]
[size=9.5pt]http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/105#post_8497586[/size]

[size=9.5pt]According to the USB specifications, “interfaces are numbered from zero to one less than the number of concurrent interfaces supported by the configuration”.[/size]

[size=9.5pt]The three interface descriptors of the E17 are the following:[/size]
[size=9.5pt]. interface descriptor number 0: Human Interface Device[/size]
[size=9.5pt]. interface descriptor number 1: Audio Control[/size]
[size=9.5pt]. interface descriptor number 3: Audio Streaming[/size]

[size=9.5pt]This latter should have the number 2.[/size]

[size=9.5pt]S3 dmesg log output:[/size]
[size=9.5pt]<4>[ 1040.806786] c0 usb 2-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 3 but max is 2[/size]
[size=9.5pt]<4>[ 1040.806910] c0 usb 2-1: config 1 has no interface number 2[/size]

[size=9.5pt]There is an equivalent issue with a Teac USB DAC:[/size]
[size=9.5pt]http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.linux.alsa.devel/96433[/size]

[size=9.5pt]"Which doesn't prevent Teac from writing buggy firmware.[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> $ dmesg[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> usb 2-4: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 3 but max is 2[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> usb 2-4: config 1 has no interface number 1[/size]

[size=9.5pt]> The USB audio driver actually just uses functions from the USB driver[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> core to access the interface association. However, the USB core didn't[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> assign it during its probe, which is most probably a result of the[/size]
[size=9.5pt]> broken descriptor set.[/size]

[size=9.5pt]And it turned out it is.[/size]

[size=9.5pt]Ben, can you try the patch (of the link) below, please? It's a pretty obvious flaw in the USB core system which is triggered by buggy descriptors."[/size]
[size=9.5pt]http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.linux.alsa.devel/98243[/size]

[size=9.5pt]Archos G9 can interwork with E17.[/size]
[size=9.5pt]And at least drivers/usb/core/message.c of Archos G9 and the one of S3 are different, slightly different.[/size]
[size=9.5pt]https://gitorious.org/archos/archos-gpl-gen9-kernel-ics/blobs/master/drivers/usb/core/message.c[/size]
[size=9.5pt]https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/blob/master/drivers/usb/core/message.c[/size]

[size=9.5pt]Apparently, a custom S3 can work with a E17 according to the following topic:[/size]
[size=9.5pt]http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1UFZGEPXQ5FHN[/size]

[size=9.5pt]Also the E17 has some issue with the stock Windows driver:[/size]
[size=9.5pt]http://www.head-fi.org/t/615404/downloading-and-installation-guide-for-fiio-e17-asio-driver-the-beta-version#post_8483634[/size]

jamesfiio said:
OK, the main reason that we release the ASIO driver is that some user complained about that the E17 can not work in their PC/laptop, so ASIO is a option for them to make the E17 work.

DanBa · Oct 25, 2012 at 3:01 AM

elwappo99 · Oct 25, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Any of the SIII units will most likely work with the Note II, right? I'll be getting a Note II very soon. Anyone comment on a good bang/buck deal in the list? I'm going to be in heaven when it's Zune-->Note-->amp--> earphones. Should be a really easy set-up once zune comes to android

nnotis · Oct 25, 2012 at 6:09 PM

I've been listening to the HRT Headstreamer almost every day for last several weeks, and I'm blown away by how good it is. Only its noise floor sounds like that of a budget device. And with an 11 dollar resister adapter, noise is a non issue. It's actually the first portable device I've heard in the past four years that I'd put ahead of the Pico DAC/Amp. While I'm not convinced that it's necessarily more detailed than the Pico, it definitely makes detail easier to catch with it's deep, spacious sound stage. The separation of sounds in a mix reaches a level I hadn't previously heard from a portable. This is all remarkable for a $130 device and an $11 accessory. As good is the HRT unit is, here's to hoping that the Audioquest Bumblebee will be even better.

turokrocks · Oct 25, 2012 at 6:36 PM

I took a macro photo for comparison sake:

NZtechfreak · Oct 25, 2012 at 6:45 PM

Responded to you in the other thread - yes, that looks like a 5-pin USB OTG connector there. You can confirm my inserting it into the S3, you should see a notification that the system has recognised an USB OTG connector has been connected.

turokrocks · Oct 25, 2012 at 7:42 PM

Please take note that these cables will not work with dac/amp and S3/Note 2

http://www.head-fi.org/t/632019/apex-glacier-amp-dac-review-and-appreciation-thread/60#post_8810609

McMaz · Oct 25, 2012 at 8:14 PM

Quote:

tamz said:
I am very delighted to say that I'm currently listening to JH3A with my galaxy S3's usb output.
Fark yeahhh

What cable are you using and is it direct phone>cable>amp?

zachchen1996 · Oct 25, 2012 at 8:32 PM

turokrocks said:
Please take note that these cables will not work with dac/amp and S3/Note 2

http://www.head-fi.org/t/632019/apex-glacier-amp-dac-review-and-appreciation-thread/60#post_8810609

What about the hakshop one? Does that one work?

NZtechfreak · Oct 25, 2012 at 9:01 PM

Quote:

zachchen1996 said:
What about the hakshop one? Does that one work?

It *should* work, since one end is definitely meant to be a USB OTG connector. I have one ordered, hopefully arrive next week and then I can confirm.

turokrocks · Oct 26, 2012 at 2:13 AM

Quote:

nztechfreak said:
It *should* work, since one end is definitely meant to be a USB OTG connector. I have one ordered, hopefully arrive next week and then I can confirm.

couldn't wait, ordered also!!!

Gabor · Oct 26, 2012 at 4:54 AM

Samsung Galaxy s3 doesn't work with my Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus via the OTG cable. I have Android 4.0.4 on the s3. Do you think an upgrade to Jelly Bean would help?

NZtechfreak · Oct 26, 2012 at 7:03 AM

gabor said:
Samsung Galaxy s3 doesn't work with my Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus via the OTG cable. I have Android 4.0.4 on the s3. Do you think an upgrade to Jelly Bean would help?

Unlikely, Jelly Bean hasn't changed any of the S3s USB audio performanceas far as I'm aware. Have you tried with a powered hub?

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