[gimmeheadroom]

It's a nice reclock/regen DDC in addition to your source USB. Be it Windows, Mac, Linux or Android based.

I meant to ask, how do you find an Android box with USB out? Did you use OTG or are there boxes that can really connect to USB devices, DACs etc.?

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

I meant to ask, how do you find an Android box with USB out? Did you use OTG or are there boxes that can really connect to USB devices, DACs etc.?

All Android Boxes have USB outs. And some of them have dedicated OTG USB ports. In their USB ports you could connect keybord, mouse, HDD / Bluray drives, Hubs etc. like regular PC.

My first setup 5 years ago was a Himedia Q10 Pro w/ an 8TB HDD (see pic below). Its has Spdif and Toslink outputs and have an LPS for it. Now moved to a smaller box and NAS. It has a dedicated OTG that I connect my DAC into it. But other ports functions as well.

Some interesting Android boxes:
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Bee...oid-9-0-TV-BOX-4GB-64GB-Dolby-DTS-420831.html
http://minix.com.hk/products/neo-u9-h
https://www.bee-link.com/collections/player/products/gs-king-x

 

[gimmeheadroom]

All Android Boxes have USB outs. And some of them have dedicated OTG USB ports. In their USB ports you could connect keybord, mouse, HDD / Bluray drives, Hubs etc. like regular PC.

My first setup 5 years ago was a Himedia Q10 Pro w/ an 8TB HDD (see pic below). Its has Spdif and Toslink outputs and have an LPS for it. Now moved to a smaller box and NAS. It has a dedicated OTG that I connect my DAC into it. But other ports functions as well.

Some interesting Android boxes:
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Bee...oid-9-0-TV-BOX-4GB-64GB-Dolby-DTS-420831.html
http://minix.com.hk/products/neo-u9-h
https://www.bee-link.com/collections/player/products/gs-king-x

Thanks. I didn't know about geekbuying, they even have a warehouse in my country!

When you say they all have USB out and some have OTG... what did you mean by USB out?

I meant, if I install Tidal then it should be able to use a USB DAC connected to the box. Maybe this isn't possible without Android drivers. I didn't think about it much since I never had one of these boxes.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

USB ports I mean, like on the the links (image) I gave you.

As long as your DAC is USB 2.0 compatible, in theory, there is no basically need for special drivers. However, this is not the case in reality, it is a trial and error thing.

I don't use Tidal but I know persons use it in their Android boxes. Most prefer UAPP however. UAPP have published a table of compatible DACs: https://www.extreamsd.com/index.php/hires-audio-driver.

So far all my Android boxes and smartphones have worked with my desktop DACs.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

USB ports I mean, like on the the links (image) I gave you.

As long as your DAC is USB 2.0 compatible, in theory, there is no basically need for special drivers. However, this is not the case in reality, it is a trial and error thing.

I don't use Tidal but I know persons use it in their Android boxes. Most prefer UAPP however. UAPP have published a table of compatible DACs: https://www.extreamsd.com/index.php/hires-audio-driver.

So far all my Android boxes and smartphones have worked with my desktop DACs.

Thanks. I meant USB ports that can be used for output rather than input.

I think the link you meant to suggest is here https://www.extreamsd.com/index.php/technology/usb-audio-driver

I only wish the beelink didn't support google assistant. Not sure how to get a good android box without microphones spying... The Neo U22 XJ looks good and has very positive reviews but it is not in stock. We have an interesting locally made one https://www.tesla-electronics.eu/en/tesla-mediabox-x900-pro-2/
Not sure if the chipset and graphics are any good compared to the ones you mentioned.

Anyway many thanks, I'll look into this interesting topic.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Oops more questions keep coming up. In your pic of your beelink box there was no screen shown. Do you access it remotely or is a screen hooked up?

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Hooked up to a 4K monitor that doubles duty to my PC. Part of my home station. Haven't tried remote apps since this setup works fine for me.

 

[mammal]

Ordered Pi2AES after watching this YouTube review, wondering if my Chord Hugo TT 2 will sound better from its optical in, or if Mac Mini M1 connected to its USB sounds as good. Can report back if anyone is interested.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Hooked up to a 4K monitor that doubles duty to my PC. Part of my home station. Haven't tried remote apps since this setup works fine for me.

Thanks. I decided to try the Tesla unit I linked above. I don't believe it has whatever features make the beelink pro support Dolby etc. but it will be something cheap to play around with. It has optical out so it will be interesting to see what it is capable of.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

I use USB Audio Player Pro as player (it has Tidal Support too). I believe you have a MATRIX X-SPDIF 2. Try hook it up (thru USB).

Happy experimentations!

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I use USB Audio Player Pro as player (it has Tidal Support too). I believe you have a MATRIX Z-SPDIF 2. Try hook it up (thru USB).

Happy experimentations!

I think that is the player everybody seems to like. I will look at it if I don't get MQA on my Oppo.

What is matrix z-spdif?

My plan is to run the HDMI out from the Tesla into my Oppo. If I can turn on pass through MQA from the Tidal app I should get full performance from the Oppo. It will be an interesting experiment. I also want to check if MQA works on the Oppo over optical.

Both ways I can avoid the USB issue totally.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Sorry I thought you have a DDC.

HDMI out are HDMI video standards only (to your TV/Monitor/ or A/V Receiver) no I2S.

Other Hi-ResAudio (esp. DSD, DXD, MQA etc) are through USB ports or Toslink/Spdif (limited to 24/192 or for some DSD64).

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Ordered Pi2AES after watching this YouTube review, wondering if my Chord Hugo TT 2 will sound better from its optical in, or if Mac Mini M1 connected to its USB sounds as good. Can report back if anyone is interested.

Comment back for impressions. Not tech savy so the Android Box + DDC route.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Sorry I thought you have a DDC.

Oh yes, I have the Mutec. But I don't think I'll need to use it.

HDMI out are video only (to your TV/Monitor/ or A/V Receiver).

Really? I would have thought HDMI carries audio + video... I'll have to check this.

Audio are through USB ports or Toslink/Spdif.

If HDMI doesn't carry audio I can run optical into my Oppo or Mutec.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

HDMI carry audio but its mostly Dolby, AAC, Atmos, PCM standards found on your bluray.

Try this route Tesla -> Mutec (via USB) -> DAC (via AES/SPDIF/TOSLINK)