[Joe Bloggs]

Hi there, I'm Joseph Yeung, an official customer service representative for FiiO now. *waves*
 
Right now, on our official website's product page for the E18 we have a compatibility list of smartphones supported by the E18 for USB Audio.  Only problem: there's a grand total of just 18 smartphones listed.
 

 
*Works with E18 using USB Audio Recorder Pro as music player.  Trial version download:
http://fiio.net/UploadFiles/main/Files/2013/11/20131111111354.zip
**Galaxy S4 works without requiring USB Audio Recorder Pro after OS is updated to Android 4.3 or above.
 
This belies the fact that the E18 was designed from the ground up to be the most android-compatible USB DAC ever.  Its USB driver was carefully written to provide maximum plug-and-play compatibility and crucially, it does not draw any power from the smartphone when working as a USB DAC. (thus avoiding any incompatibility caused by current supply issues and extending the smartphone's battery life)
 
The E18 *should* be compatible with a lot more than 10 smartphones out there.  Unfortunately, we don't have the budget to buy every smartphone out there and send them to FiiO labs for testing...
 
Did you try out the E18 at a store with your smartphone not listed here?  Did it work?  Or are you *gasp* a brave soul who bought the E18 on the hunch that it would work with your smartphone not listed here?  Did that work out for you?  Tell us about your experience here, whether it's positive or negative, and we'll be very grateful to you for helping us fill out our compatible models database!
 
I know there are a lot of threads on the E18 already, so to make up for spewing out yet another one, I will collate all compatibility tips / issues / advice on the E18 pairing with smartphones as they become available and add them to this opening post

 

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Additional list of smartphones supported by E18:
Sony Xperia Tablet Z: reported working with E17 (anything that worked with E17 should work with the E18 too)
Sony Xperia Tablet S: reported working with E18 below
Motorola Moto X: reported working here http://www.head-fi.org/t/628254/fiio-e18/705#post_10010765
Sony Xperia ZL c6502 (l35h): reported working here http://www.head-fi.org/t/690036/fiio-e18-does-your-smartphone-work-with-it-for-usb-audio-tell-us-about-it-here-and-we-will-award-you-10-internets/15#post_10100204

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Compatibility tips:
1. For Samsung Galaxy S4, updating to Android 4.3 or above allows it to work with the E18 without any software hacks.
2. E18 reported possibly working with iPhones using iOS 7.

 

[BrokenStevie]

Just got my E18 today & I'm happy to report that it worked correctly as a USB DAC for my Sony Xperia Tablet S. All I needed was the Sony USB connector (with its special 'WM-port') and the USB to micro-USB cable that came with the E18. I hooked it up and the E18  worked. The only other device that I've tried the E18 out with is my older Toshiba Thrive. Unfortunately the Thrive requires the software fix (that USB Recorder... program). But with the Xperia S, to my ears, the E18 sounds really nice. I'm thrilled to have a product with so many flexible input & output options. With the digital coax out, I can use other DAC's that wouldn't ordinarily work with my Sony. I'm pretty sure I already tried it with the E17 & it didn't work without the software fix. Now I can load up all those huge 24-bit flac files onto my Goflex drive & stream them to my Sony while also being able to use a DAC. I'll be happy with this for a few days and then I'm sure I'll be onto my next quest. But this is really nice. I would suspect that if the Sony Xperia S works this easily, then probably most tablets/smartphones with the more recent Android platform and made in the past year or so should work. Nice job, Fiio! BTW, I also got the W1 & that's pretty cool, too. I haven't seen much about that on the forums. I just saw it for sale when I ordered the E18 & had to check it out.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Just got my E18 today & I'm happy to report that it worked correctly as a USB DAC for my Sony Xperia Tablet S...

Ten internets for you, good sir

OP updated with latest tested partial list of compatible smartphones.

 

[defguy]

My wife's LG G2 works fine with my E17

 

[beianfanla]

Right,I would suspect that if the Sony Xperia S works this easily, then probably most tablets/smartphones with the more recent Android platform and made in the past year or so should work. Nice job, Fiio! BTW, I also got the W1 & that's pretty cool, too. I haven't seen much about that on the forums. I just saw it for sale when I ordered the E18 & had to check it out.

 

[vkalia]

  2. E18 reported possibly working with iPhones using iOS 7.

 
Any more info on this?
 
TIA.

 

[roberhofer]

Have the Fiio E18 now for a week. 
Works great with my HTC One without issues. Plugged it into USB port and off it went. 
No restrictions to a specific app. All sound from all apps is channeled via the USB->DAC path. 
 
Plugged it as well into my wife's Galaxy Note 2, and it worked equally well. 
 
One interesting difference, when using the phone volume rocker between the two phones: 
HTC One: it basically only has a full volume or off mode. E.g. it seems that it sends the full digital output without phone modification (at least I assume). 
Galaxy Note 2: When using the Galaxy volume rocker it changes the playback volume. My assumption is that the Samsung digitally modifies the volume, thus limiting the range. 
 
On another thread there was mention of cell phone noise. I got this only when the HTC One was in 2G mode. When in HSDPA or LTE I could not detect this. Airplane mode is your friend. 
 
So far pretty happy. 
 
Edit 22 Feb: 
Starting to have my doubts. 
When using this with Google Play Music (with my HTC One) I get every this and then (about once per song) a "hickup", where for a second or so the sound is delayed. 
It's as if there are sync issues. Without the E18 the music is working great. 
Very annoying. 

 

[gkanai]

Nexus 5?

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Nexus 5?

Apparently NOT working with the E18 until further notice (waiting for a firmware update from google to hopefully address this)

 

[DIYEyal]

I would totally go try it in a store, but I couldn't find a single store in Israel with any fiio product, as soon as I find one I'll test it with my oppo find 5 (although I should mention I'm running CyanogenMod and it might have a different compadability than the stock Oppo software, I expect it to work better than the stock since bluetooth reliability issues where gone as soon as I flashed CM10.1) I might also test it with some of my friend's phones.. I'll also try it with my dad's galaxy note (first gen) and my brother's xperia go.
If it works with it I would probably buy it (if it anywhere close to be as good as the hype is)

 

[nevermas]

Just got my Fiio E18 in the mail and DAC does not work with the 2 supplied USB OTG cables on my 4.3 Sense 5.0 HTC One.

When the USB is connected, I can control the tracks with the outside buttons but the volume goes right to zero. Also, I can't charge the phone using the E18 as advertised.

Edit:

Huh, switched cables in and out/repeat 3 times, and now DAC is confirmed to be working. Going to listen to some Zeppelin before I try out the phone charging function.

 

[deftronix]

Using a galaxy s4 with no  usb recorder pro app. It switches over automatically and works well. Running 4.3/Jelly Bean. Charging the phone from it works when switched over to charge although apparently there is a new revision that allows the phone to charge at the same time as using it as DAC.  Couple extra notes - the bass boost toggle is really nice to have and the external control buttons work in MOG app, huge plus!

 

[BadSneakers]

Works fine on HTC 4G LTE. Thank you!