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

[zeinharis]

Thanks for posting this!

In this case I would probably argue the ROG 5 would not meet MY definition of the ideal audiophile phone solution because it does not support the arguably best current codec - LDAC. Even if you argue that aptx Adaptive is equivalent (or better) it is not widely used and LDAC would be better as a bridge. Even aptX HD as a bridge would be better than not (Adaptive is backwards compatible with HD - but that is not the same thing as provides HD data rates).

Then there is the question of USB DAC support…. Does the phone cripple quality by resampling (Android’s infamous audio stack, for example, though I think that may no longer be a thing)…?

I would also argue that, even in our streaming environment, there may still be the need for ample storage to have local audio. For example, I live in a very rural location and in some areas there is no cellular coverage and thus local audio storage is essential. An SSD card slot would be awesome, but if not that at least 512GB that does not cost an arm and a leg…

Rog phone 5 indeed support LDAC, tried with WH-1000XM4.

About the USB DAC, sorry I can't help you on that, since I don't have any type C dongles and the ESS DAC inside the phone is already great in terms of sound quality.

My rog phone 5 is the standard one, which have 8gigs of ram and 128gigs of rom, I'm using it primarily as a DAP (with TIDAL, some social media apps in it and no games) cause iOS is still my number one choice for my daily activities (especially banking transactions), so 128gigs is more than enough. I have 301 music files on it (taking up space around 21gigs) which consists of 97% is flac ranging from 16-24bit, the other 3% is MQA and DSD.

 

[TK33]

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered…. Maybe, given the inexorable march away from headphone jacks, the question of best phone for audiophiles is what phone supports the most high resolution Bluetooth codecs, and which phones best play with dongles for highest quality….

For me I am intrigued by the Pixel 6 Pro, but that is just because I don’t think Samsung supports LDAC…

Recent Sansung phones do support LDAC (even my S9 did and my Tab S7 FE does as well) but I found it tends to default to 660. My OnePlus 8T and V60 default to 990 without messing with Developer Options. Have not tested LDAC butrate on my Pixel 6 yet but aptX HD works great on it.

For music, i have my LG V60, which has LDAC, aptX adaptive and, of course, a headphone jack. Hopefully this one lasts longer than my first one did, although, to be honest, I prefer the comvenience of my Qudelix 5K over the headphone jack. Would be perfect if T Mobile/LG hadnt crippled the dual SIM functionality.

 

[jsmiller58]

Thanks @TK33 and @zeinharis for correcting my misunderstanding! Good to hear that LDAC is more broadly supported . Any insights as to the current state of the Android audio stack for USB dongles? I know I can use UAPP to get around the Android resampling issue, but it would be great if Android had once and for all fixed this idiotic issue…

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Thanks @TK33 and @zeinharis for correcting my misunderstanding! Good to hear that LDAC is more broadly supported . Any insights as to the current state of the Android audio stack for USB dongles? I know I can use UAPP to get around the Android resampling issue, but it would be great if Android had once and for all fixed this idiotic issue…

Xperia 5 MK3 should fit your needs, i think.
Well, it's as expensive as the ROG5, but it has the important mSD slot and a large battery.

I do own the Xperia 1 MK3 and the audio quality with UAPP is great for low demanding iems and headphones.
FiiO FD5 and D9200/ SEM5 works great with.
Slightly warmer sound than the LG V30, which i like quite a bit.

 

[jsmiller58]

Xperia 5 MK3 should fit your needs, i think.
Well, it's as expensive as the ROG5, but it has the important mSD slot and a large battery.

I do own the Xperia 1 MK3 and the audio quality with UAPP is great for low demanding iems and headphones.
FiiO FD5 and D9200/ SEM5 works great with.
Slightly warmer sound than the LG V30, which i like quite a bit.

Awesome! Thank you! I will study it!

My trusty LG v30 is on its last legs…. Bought it when it first came out and I have really enjoyed what it has given me, but all good things come to an end…

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Awesome! Thank you! I will study it!

My trusty LG v30 is on its last legs…. Bought it when it first came out and I have really enjoyed what it has given me, but all good things come to an end…

Well, i was on the same boat like you.
My V30 served me well for the last 3.5 years but the camera is broken due to desire and a very little stone. ^^
Battery was not great anymore too and the screen is cracked, but useable.

Keep in mind that the power of the Sony can't compare with the amp stage of the Quad Dac, but it's driving my FD5, and headphones (nearly at max volume output), quit well.

 

[jsmiller58]

Well, i was on the same boat like you.
My V30 served me well for the last 3.5 years but the camera is broken due to desire and a very little stone. ^^
Battery was not great anymore too and the screen is cracked, but useable.

Keep in mind that the power of the Sony can't compare with the amp stage of the Quad Dac, but it's driving my FD5, and headphones (nearly at max volume output), quit well.

Thanks! Yeah, my v30 suffers at least two of the same issues as yours - cracked screen and battery that needs recharging half way through the day!

 

[chaz_flhr]

Thanks! Yeah, my v30 suffers at least two of the same issues as yours - cracked screen and battery that needs recharging half way through the day!

You can find v30 and v40 for cheap on Amazon or eBay I think I paid less than 200 for one a couple of years ago it still has its usefulness but I mainly use a DX312 now As a 1 box solution.

 

[zeinharis]

Thanks @TK33 and @zeinharis for correcting my misunderstanding! Good to hear that LDAC is more broadly supported . Any insights as to the current state of the Android audio stack for USB dongles? I know I can use UAPP to get around the Android resampling issue, but it would be great if Android had once and for all fixed this idiotic issue…

Here the current state with Android audio stack on Android 11 with Rog phone 5 using it's 3.5mm headphone jack (no usb dongles, sorry). It plays 24-96 just fine.

 

[jsmiller58]

Here the current state with Android audio stack on Android 11 with Rog phone 5 using it's 3.5mm headphone jack (no usb dongles, sorry). It plays 24-96 just fine.

Awesome! Thanks! Given I use a v30 that I purchased when they first came out, I have been out of the cell phone market for a while…

 

[TK33]

Thanks @TK33 and @zeinharis for correcting my misunderstanding! Good to hear that LDAC is more broadly supported . Any insights as to the current state of the Android audio stack for USB dongles? I know I can use UAPP to get around the Android resampling issue, but it would be great if Android had once and for all fixed this idiotic issue…

Android resampling when using an external DAC is still an issue with newer devices as far as I know.and you still need something like UAPP to bypass it.

 

[jsmiller58]

Android resampling when using an external DAC is still an issue with newer devices as far as I know.and you still need something like UAPP to bypass it.

Thanks! It is disappointing to hear, but always better to have expectations properly set…

 

[Bobbetybob]

Android resampling when using an external DAC is still an issue with newer devices as far as I know.and you still need something like UAPP to bypass it.

Can confirm it's still crap on my Pixel 6.

 

[odontonator]

My V30 battery is barely hanging on for dear life. Have loved the quad DAC sound profile and power. Looking for a replacement, possibly either a Pixel 6 Pro or Xperia 5 iii if it ever gets released to the USA. I recently acquired an Earmen Tr-Amp to give me more power and flexibility for driving my headphones, either from desktop source or a future phone. I've enjoyed pairing the Tr-Amp (using Spotify Premium on MacBook Pro) with my HD800S, but not so much when I pair it with either my Shure 846s or my MrSpeakers Aeon Flow Opens. Surprisingly, I actually prefer the V30 with the other two. Perhaps the V30 may be more bright and analytical and thus balance out the warmer, bass-focused nature of those phones. The Tr-Amp seems less neutral than I would have guessed: I get a more bloated bass and lose some treble separation and texture compared to the V30. Does that make any sense to you all? Anyhow, wondering if you all think I might choose a better portable DAC/amp to connect with a future phone (and desktop) that preserves some of what I love about the V30 quad DAC.

 

[odontonator]

Oh, and should I hold out for the Xperia 5 iii or just get the Pixel 6 Pro? I want that headphone jack for ultimate portability with the Shure 846s, but not convinced I'll like the sound profile compared to the V30 based on my experience with the Tr-Amp and 846s.