Android phones and USB DACs | Page 68 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

turokrocks · Dec 12, 2012 at 3:55 AM

Quote:

travelbug said:
You don't have to switch on settings >accessories >audio output mode?

As I said, I just connect my Note2 (which is the same for the S3), with a USB cable to the DAC, and start the Player (Neutron,playerpro...)

victorcc · Dec 12, 2012 at 5:08 AM

Remember that the USB cable has to be an OTG cable. A regular USB cable will not work and maybe that is the issue.

Gabor · Dec 12, 2012 at 6:45 AM

DanBa, you wrote:
"At the Linux Kernel Space, the ALSA Kernel Driver of the Galaxy S3 / Note2 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#L246"

does it mean that in case I'd like to use my S3 in USB Audio Class 2 mode than I have to use modified kernel? If so, how can I do this modification? Is there an sw upgrade or kind of driver I can download? Sorry, I'm not an IT expert .... but very interrested in the issue

) Thanks!

DanBa · Dec 12, 2012 at 4:01 PM

At the kernel level, the ALSA USB audio driver of the Galaxy S3 is able to drive USB Audio Class 1 (UAC1) devices (i.e. USB DAC playing up to 24/96)
https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/blob/master/sound/usb/card.c#L227
and 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#L246

Thus, the stock kernel of the Galaxy S3 is likely able to drive USB DAC playing 24/96 or 24/192 high resolution music, if there is no hi-res limitation parameters set somewhere in the stock kernel.

The current hi-res limitations should be at the ROM level in the source code files mentioned in the post #990.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/975#post_8940230

For example, an Android developer should replace the following current instruction of the SDL_androidaudio.c
http://svn.gna.org/svn/warmux/trunk/build/lib/sdl/src/audio/android/SDL_androidaudio.c

if( ! (audioFormat->format == AUDIO_S8 || audioFormat->format == AUDIO_S16) )

by

if( ! (audioFormat->format == AUDIO_S8 || audioFormat->format == AUDIO_S16 || audioFormat->format == AUDIO_S24) )

The Android developer should search the hi-res limitations like AUDIO_S16, PCM_16_BIT or 44100 in all the source code files of the stock ROM, add the hi-res capabilities and build a new custom ROM.

Android developers who are able to develop custom ROM can be found on the XDA forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1566
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1685

Also, we have to find an Android player (Neutron Music Player, Poweramp, …) which is able to play hi-res music and output hi-res PCM stream.

By the way, some free hi-res music can be downloaded at the following link:
http://christmas.linn.co.uk/

DanBa · Dec 12, 2012 at 7:08 PM

tim3320070 · Dec 12, 2012 at 8:44 PM

I don't understand much of what you post (technically) but this continually updated list of compatible devices is very helpful and appreciated.

bmichels · Dec 13, 2012 at 4:19 AM

Does rooting makes it really faster ?

Does this rooting bring other advantages than just responsivity ( like better sound, ?? .... ) ?

NZtechfreak · Dec 13, 2012 at 4:27 AM

Quote:

bmichels said:
Does rooting makes it really faster ?
Does this rooting bring other advantages than just responsivity ( like better sound, ?? .... ) ?

Lots of advantages: custom ROMs which typically offer better performance and battery life, ability to make the Play Store think you're on a US carrier for US-only apps and sales, extra features like audio tweaks (for example large boosts in volume), call recording, app backup that includes data like save games for restoration to new devices, ability to block ads in apps and the browser, use custom kernels to overclock/undervolt, ability to use PS3 controllers wirelessly with most games, ability to move app data to the external SD card, camera enhancements like better video recording bitrate and audio quality, better battery stat collection to identify wakelocks and other problems, ability to use wireless tethering in the US when the carriers stock firmware doesn't allow it, ability to install stock Android to the device, get new OS updates more quickly, do full system backups and restores. Plenty more besides.

bmichels · Dec 13, 2012 at 4:37 AM

Tanks for the long answer

FlySweep · Dec 13, 2012 at 5:01 AM

First.. thanks to DanBa for compiling and maintaining a comprehensive (growing) list of devices that work with the S3's USB audio. A noble & worthwhile effort!

Next, a few questions..

I've tried searching the thread but couldn't find this.. has there been a list of what Galaxy S3 ROMs/kernels support USB audio out? I'm interested in the US-based Galaxy S3 (SCH-i535) since that's what I have.

My (Verizon) S3 is on the stock firmware (rooted) and USB audio works great with the Leckerton UHA-6S MKII. Though I'm able to still control the volume on my phone while the UHA is connected (via an OTG cable).. is this what everyone else is experiencing?

My ODAC/O2 doesn't seem to work with the S3. The order in which I'm linking the ODAC/O2 to the S2 is as follows: Connect OTG cable to S3, then connect the ODAC USB cable to OTG cable. The notification/error I'm getting is "High powered USB device connected. Cannot access this device. Connect..." (the rest of the text is cut off by the screen). I've tried multiple OTG cables I have (same result) and changed the order in which I connect.. same result, regardless.

Now, I had the ODAC/O2 working at some point, I think.. perhaps before I rooted the phone (?).. but I doubt that would be the culprit. Has anyone else with a US/Verizon-based S3 had this issue with the ODAC?

Travelbug · Dec 13, 2012 at 5:06 AM

What portable dac/amp is the best right now for 300 usd or less, that is sure to work with the international sgs3?

FlySweep · Dec 13, 2012 at 5:32 AM

travelbug said:
What portable dac/amp is the best right now for 300 usd or less, that is sure to work with the international sgs3?

In my opinion? The Leckerton UHA-6S MKII. It's one of the best portable dac/amps.. period... regardless of transport.

ProtegeManiac · Dec 13, 2012 at 11:25 AM

Quote:

flysweep said:
My (Verizon) S3 is on the stock firmware (rooted) and USB audio works great with the Leckerton UHA-6S MKII. Though I'm able to still control the volume on my phone while the UHA is connected (via an OTG cable).. is this what everyone else is experiencing?

I think that's because the volume control is in the digital stage, not simply a digital volume control (like on integrated amps or headphone amps that don't have knobs on them; or Meier amps where the knobs are retained for feel and speed of twisting instead of mashing buttons). Think of that as similar to having volume control on Windows then you plug the laptop straight into a power amp (no preamp). I was at a meet recently and when I got home I thought my system sounded weird; checked and saw people used the FLACPlayer volume bar instead of my amp's veolume knob.

BTW my S3 sounds weird on my Cantate (which works just fine with computers and iPads) at any volume level but it works fine with the D-Zero.

DanBa · Dec 13, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Quote:

flysweep said:
I've tried searching the thread but couldn't find this.. has there been a list of what Galaxy S3 ROMs/kernels support USB audio out? I'm interested in the US-based Galaxy S3 (SCH-i535) since that's what I have.

My list is related to stock Galaxy S3, i.e. stock ROM and stock kernel.

As far as I understand, Android developers customize their ROM or kernel from stock software; and usually they won’t remove features, they rather add or improve features.

I was quite surprised learning that the CM10 developers have removed the USB audio support.

"Since flashing KERNEL-CM-10-20120801 | Audiopatch for 10-20120801 & Camerapatch for CM10-20120801 yesterday, the USB Audio driver appears to have vanished (was working after flashing just the 10-20120801-EXPERIMENTAL-i9300-CODEWORKX build)
I've flashed today's build with a full wipe, and its the same story, the X360 controller and USB HDD still work fine, but no USB Audio, My guess is that it was removed from the kernel?"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29691769&highlight=usb+audio#post29691769

flysweep said:
My ODAC/O2 doesn't seem to work with the S3. The order in which I'm linking the ODAC/O2 to the S2 is as follows: Connect OTG cable to S3, then connect the ODAC USB cable to OTG cable. The notification/error I'm getting is "High powered USB device connected. Cannot access this device. Connect..." (the rest of the text is cut off by the screen). I've tried multiple OTG cables I have (same result) and changed the order in which I connect.. same result, regardless.

I have no interworking issue with my standalone ODAC from Epiphany Acoustics and my international Galaxy S3.

T-Mobile Galaxy S3 can work with ODAC/O2 combo.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/915#post_8900545

According to the message error, your ODAC/O2 combo (?) requires too much power, and an external battery or a battery-powered USB hub should fix the issue.
I guess you have tested your USB OTG cable with a USB mouse.

And a clean 5V should improve the sound quality of the ODAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/165#post_8540151

DanBa · Dec 13, 2012 at 7:37 PM

"Xtream Software Development has released their app USB Audio Recorder PRO to the Play Store. It allows recording and playback using many standards compliant USB audio devices, a first for Android. By writing custom USB audio code, pro audio is now finally possible on millions of Android devices."
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=368011&sid=a4db8160b366161dbd5b8ee0e4b53a32
http://www.extreamsd.com/USBAudioRecorderPRO/
"The Android app USB Audio Recorder PRO allows you to record and playback audio using class-compliant USB audio devices on your Android phone or tablet! eXtream Software Development has written a custom USB audio driver from scratch because Android does not support USB audio (even Android 4.1 contrary to popular believe!).
Supported are mono and stereo streams, 16-bit and 24-bit and any sample rate (up to 192kHz) that the device provides..."

It's very perfectible for the time being.

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