[dlayman]

  I am curious:

With phones coming out now with good amp/DAC combos, what is the highest impedance headphones that could be run on any of them (G5, v10, axon 7, etc) without needing an external amp?  Has anyone tested this in detail?

With high impedance headphones, its a matter of how much voltage the device is capable of pumping through its headphone jack.  A source can be very high quality but still not have a powerful output.  Or vice versa, or any combination thereof.  My lowly ZTE ZMax 2 drives my Senn 600's very well and quite loudly, but it doesn't do as well with sensitive low impedance IEM's.  I expect that while it has a powerful output, its output impedance is on the highish side, causing frequency variations in low impedance IEM's like the FLC8S.  I don't think you can make any general statement about the capabilities of "audiophile" phones with high impedance headphones, too many variables.  The output voltage of smartphones varies tremendously among different models.  You need to know the specs (output voltage and impedance) of the individual models to know what it will drive well.

 

[fairx]

Hi guys. I've been reading this thread for quite some time. Letv looks tempting.

I have o2 as desktop amp. I'm in the process of getting good dac for my o2. However I also listen to Spotify quite a lot. I know Spotify not high res. But I like the convenience. I belive in Sq more than high res. If anything I can always go tidal

1. So how's letv treating it's output -> amp -> hi impedance earbud / headphones.

2. How high impedance it can handle with authority? I'm thinking getting high impedance earbud soon.

Tq. Hope someone can shed some light.

 

[Btulhu]

  who know anything about differences between htc 10 and htc desire 10 pro?

Ok, this question isn't actually already, HTC used helio p10 for their desire 10 pro, so now it's a crap.
But what about xiaomi note 2 pro SQ? As i read here, 1 pro had good SQ. 

 

[dlayman]

Hi guys. I've been reading this thread for quite some time. Letv looks tempting.

I have o2 as desktop amp. I'm in the process of getting good dac for my o2. However I also listen to Spotify quite a lot. I know Spotify not high res. But I like the convenience. I belive in Sq more than high res. If anything I can always go tidal

1. So how's letv treating it's output -> amp -> hi impedance earbud / headphones.

2. How high impedance it can handle with authority? I'm thinking getting high impedance earbud soon.

Tq. Hope someone can shed some light.

 
The O2 amp can handle the vast majority of headphones (high or low impedance), if you went with the standard gain options.  I wouldn't expect any problems.

 

[skyline385]

So i have been reading around that the ZTE Axon 7 DAC doesn't work with Spotify, Google Play or Tidal? It this true? I use streaming services exclusively and i was looking to buying it but this is a dealbreaker.
 
What about the HTC 10? Does it also have limited support for the descrete DAC/AMP?

 

[dlayman]

  So i have been reading around that the ZTE Axon 7 DAC doesn't work with Spotify, Google Play or Tidal? It this true? I use streaming services exclusively and i was looking to buying it but this is a dealbreaker.
 
What about the HTC 10? Does it also have limited support for the descrete DAC/AMP?

Where have you read that?   I've seen a few reviews specifically mentioning Spotify and Tidal.  And I can't imagine it would ever get GPS certification if it didn't work with Google Music.  My Zmax2, a 59 dollar phone, works fine with streaming services.  Not saying you're wrong, it just sounds very odd and unlikely.

 

[skyline385]

  Where have you read that?   I've seen a few reviews specifically mentioning Spotify and Tidal.  And I can't imagine it would ever get GPS certification if it didn't work with Google Music.  My Zmax2, a 59 dollar phone, works fine with streaming services.  Not saying you're wrong, it just sounds very odd and unlikely.

 
Well, for one, there is this entire thread on the ZTE forums devoted to that
 

Make the DAC work anywhere!

 
Basically it uses the defaults Snapdragon DAC everywhere except for the ZTE music app.
 
And if you recall, even the LG V10 had this issue until someone came up with an app to make the ESS DAC global.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phascinate.lgv10.dacfix&hl=en
 
I haven't seen any such complaints for the HTC 10 so far so maybe it doesn't have this problem. I am totally confused by this.

 

[dlayman]

   
Well, for one, there is this entire thread on the ZTE forums devoted to that
 

Make the DAC work anywhere!

 
Basically it uses the defaults Snapdragon DAC everywhere except for the ZTE music app.
 
And if you recall, even the LG V10 had this issue until someone came up with an app to make the ESS DAC global.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phascinate.lgv10.dacfix&hl=en
 
I haven't seen any such complaints for the HTC 10 so far so maybe it doesn't have this problem. I am totally confused by this.

Ok, I see what you're saying.  I thought you meant that it couldn't play them at all. You're saying it uses the integrated Snapdragon for those apps.  That I can believe, disappointing though.  I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of (maybe all?)smartphones with audiophile aspirations do this.  It probably makes the development work much easier for them.

 

[club968]

I use the HTC 10 and haven't really noticed a drop in audio quality when streaming and I have heard Snapdragon 820 audio and it is definitely not down to that level.

 

[skyline385]

I use the HTC 10 and haven't really noticed a drop in audio quality when streaming and I have heard Snapdragon 820 audio and it is definitely not down to that level.

 
What streaming service do you use? I think Play Music is supported on the HTC 10 but i am not sure.

 

[Guppy_]

so the dac in the iphone 7 is external!! that tiny thing!!!

https://youtu.be/3kO1VqxfIeE

 

[skyline385]

Seeing as the adaptor wire costs like $10, i really wonder how good that tiny DAC is.

 

[George Frice]

Hello guys,
Today I've received new ZTE Axon 7 Mini and can say that it's awful. Very quiet sound in headphones.
Are you sure that regular Axon 7 sounds different?? But why? After all, Axon 7 Mini has a newer AK4962 (while Axon 7 has AK4961)...Could anyone compare them?
 
It turns out that HTC 10 is the best smartphone for audiophiles, right? Or Meizu Pro 6 is better?

 

[mbze430]

Has anyone "dissected" a HTC 10 to see what DAC it is actually being used?   

 

[dlayman]

Has anyone "dissected" a HTC 10 to see what DAC it is actually being used?   

If you have to dissect a device to see if it is satisfactory, that should tell you something. Too many fall prey to marketing instead of relying on their own ears. I really don't care what DAC or op-amp is being used. How does it SOUND???