Best Smartphone for audiophile Part II (Updated: Jan 2020)

[Chris Kaoss]

I'll test the capabilities of the BTR5 later on my R28 once it has charged.
Now i'm curios how it'll stand its ground. ^^

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Have had a listen to both, the Mojo and the BTR5 as pre's.

Chain was Tidal exclusive mode on Surface Pro 7 > USB to Mojo/BTR5 > 3.5 to RCA cable > Audio GD R28 > XLR out to the Quad Era-1.

Mojo on Line out (3V)
BTR5 on H-gain at Volume level 60/60

First of all, what a pleasure to listen to both.

Volume on the R28 is set to my preferred listening levels in both cases.
Level matched by ear.

Mojo -> R28: Volume level at 65 out of 99, which is about 7.5% power output of the R28.

BTR5 -> R28: Volume level 75 out of 99, which is about 16.5% power output of the R28.

My guess is that the BTR5 puts out around 1.4V to 1.5V to the RCA-input of the R28.

Verdict is, that it works pretty well in both configuration.

Make sure that your amplifier has enough headroom when feed with the BTR5.
The thing is that the amp has to amplify ^^ the missing output power of the BTR5 in comparison to the Mojo, which throw 3V to the amp. (Industrial standard is 2V)
When the Mojo is set to 2V manually, the difference wouldn't be that much, i think.

I've to say that from level 55 to 60 (coupled with the R28) on the BTR5 it's a hugh jump in volume, but w/o any deterioration in sound quality.

Have a great day and keep listening to good music.

Chris



P.s. great piece of mobile (bluetooth) dac/amp -> go for it, you won't regred.

 

[Pro-Jules]

 

[SnooDucksAudio]

Has anyone tried the new ASUS ROG Phone 5 with sensitive IEMs? Does it hiss on quiet passages?

Just got the ROG 5. Using UAPP. The advantage of high end DACS in phones is that it is without any hiss on sensitive IEMs. Nice and black background. However, unlike high end DAPs, the dynamics, details, and everything else will never beat DAPs. Soundstage is also good. You can really tell it's 4 DACs forcing it's way produce good sound, but not good enough for me. So far I believe it's best DAC available in phones. I've used V50 in the past...

 

[gazzington]

Gold era of audiophile smartphone is end imo.

I will just buy usb c dac/amp. There are many audio manufacturer coming to play. And technology proofs in this era.

This is my opinion too

 

[TheUnknow]

Me too.

USB dongle and BT are the future.

 

[Opus131]

Well, i refuse to buy a phone that might break unexpectedly becuase who knows what kind of process it undertook during "rejuvination" (whatever the hell that means). So i went ahead and ordered the BTR5.

Which i guess runs into the general sentiment here, that audiophile phones are becoming a thing of the past.

 

[Eddie Knows]

I recently moved from an LG v50 to the Rog phone 5

There is a definite audio upgrade in resolution and sound stage, I'm quite pleased with the switch. I was originally worried about the Rog phones bulk but it's distributed quite well and, using the case packaged with the phone, not really that much harder to hold than the v50 in a case.

For reference, I'm using it with the U12t

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I recently moved from an LG v50 to the Rog phone 5

There is a definite audio upgrade in resolution and sound stage, I'm quite pleased with the switch. I was originally worried about the Rog phones bulk but it's distributed quite well and, using the case packaged with the phone, not really that much harder to hold than the v50 in a case.

For reference, I'm using it with the U12t

Sounds good.
Sadly it doesn't have a SD-card slot.
But that's my preference to a smartphone and not a general one.

Thanks for heading up with.

 

[SnooDucksAudio]

I recently moved from an LG v50 to the Rog phone 5

There is a definite audio upgrade in resolution and sound stage, I'm quite pleased with the switch. I was originally worried about the Rog phones bulk but it's distributed quite well and, using the case packaged with the phone, not really that much harder to hold than the v50 in a case.

For reference, I'm using it with the U12t

I think the V50 DAC is brighter than ROG 5. It has been one year since I had the V50. What do you say?

 

[Eddie Knows]

I just did an A/B comparison between the two. I wouldn't say that the V50 is brighter, the brightness seems similar - I'd say the V50 has a weightier, more condensed sound than the Rog 5 which I do still enjoy.

That said, resolution and soundstage are better on the Rog 5 and in my opinion it's the better phone.

 

[arbiter76]

is the ROG 5 dac really 9280? I didn't believe the new THX dongle was 9281 but it is. ESS numbering is weird also. That said, does the pro moniker mean it is not a mobile version?

 

[xkoo]

I am really hoping soon will be Apple music lossless available on Android and ROG 5 with Apple music will be beast

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I am really hoping soon will be Apple music lossless available on Android and ROG 5 with Apple music will be beast

Hopefully the Apple app is designed to bypass the Android Mixer.

 

[xkoo]

https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_musi...sless_audio_other_features_too-news-49596.php

https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.apple.android.music/join

lets test this