kwudude
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2009
- Posts
- 20
- Likes
- 10
Got a Nexus S a few days ago (for $280 CAD unlocked/new!). Stock sound was horrible.
The first problem was that the lowest volume setting wasn't anywhere near low enough - Using my UE700s my ears hurt from the volume after a minute or so.
The second problem was massive hissing. Stock android behaviour on lowering volume is to do it digitally instead of through the amp gain, so on the lowest volume setting silence in songs became a pretty obvious hissing noise, and normal quality was degraded.
Android, however, is for customization. I rooted, flashed with a Voodoo-enabled Kernel, and installed Voodoo Control.
Voodoo control sets the analog gain/loss on the internal Wolfson DAC (which is pretty much the best cell-phone DAC unit out there right now).
Minimum volume problem? Solved. Hissing/low quality? More than solved.
There is practically NO noise now. Comparing my Nexus S with my buddy's iPod Touch 4 and my Gen 2 Sansa Clip, and this thing smacks the iPod and at least equals the Clip.
Bass response is the one thing that really stands out - my UE700s, mostly bass-unoriented IEMs, actually get that "THUMP" being driven by the Nexus.
A great portable source + phone for the price!
The first problem was that the lowest volume setting wasn't anywhere near low enough - Using my UE700s my ears hurt from the volume after a minute or so.
The second problem was massive hissing. Stock android behaviour on lowering volume is to do it digitally instead of through the amp gain, so on the lowest volume setting silence in songs became a pretty obvious hissing noise, and normal quality was degraded.
Android, however, is for customization. I rooted, flashed with a Voodoo-enabled Kernel, and installed Voodoo Control.
Voodoo control sets the analog gain/loss on the internal Wolfson DAC (which is pretty much the best cell-phone DAC unit out there right now).
Minimum volume problem? Solved. Hissing/low quality? More than solved.
There is practically NO noise now. Comparing my Nexus S with my buddy's iPod Touch 4 and my Gen 2 Sansa Clip, and this thing smacks the iPod and at least equals the Clip.
Bass response is the one thing that really stands out - my UE700s, mostly bass-unoriented IEMs, actually get that "THUMP" being driven by the Nexus.
A great portable source + phone for the price!