USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices

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dmitrykos
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Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:15 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by dmitrykos » Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:09 pm

I think if PC is capable of outputting in 24 bits and direct sampling rate of the music file then the quality of PC driven output will be superior to any standard Android device because Android OS is locked to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. If ever Android OS gains capability to work in Exclusive audio mode (like Windows Vista and up) when application locks audio hardware to own usage with ability to set desired output audio format then PC and Android devices will be equal by quality and probably portable device will win just for being smaller.

Another consideration is how does music player on PC work/used? If EQ is used, any other effects, what is the processing mode resolution (16, 32, 64 bit), does PC music player output in highest possible bit resolution, does it output in music sampling rate, and etc. then may be it worth comparing for example Neutron on Android with XXX music player on PC when both are connected to external DAC.

So, for direct path through when music unmodified is decoded and audio samples sent to external DAC the winner will be who is outputting in sampling rate of music file and using most possible (supported) bits. If some post decoder additional processing is in place then it worth comparing and make some tests to evaluate frequency response, and other parameters of music players in order to find out who is doing this work better.

DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:41 pm

Samsung Galaxy S III & Objective DAC (ODAC):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/624102/dap-wit ... st_8674007

Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> 4-in-1 connection kit substituting a USB OTG cable >> ODAC >> Headstage Arrow G3 amp >> headphone


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Nostrovia
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:50 am

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by Nostrovia » Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:45 am

Thank you Dimitris - yes what you say makes total sense. So quite simply, especially for high 'res files' a computer should be superior. Though there are some cases (as per your comments) where comparisons might be worth consideration, especially in regard to frequency response.

I often tend to think that if such tests are required & one cannot 'really' hear any differences, then such subtlety is more than likely meaningless to the listener.

It's kind of akin to the old debate regarding vinyl vs cd. Those who delighted in the sound of a cd more often than not pointed to superior testing and frequency response. Yet, throughout the ongoing debate those into vinyl would also say that it sounded better, yet were never able to show why through technical data.

All these years later vinyl has made a comeback, cd's are dying out (rapidly), yet on the other hand digital music especially high res that appeals to the audiophile is about to explode...

Cheers!

DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:04 pm

Samsung Galaxy S III & Behringer UCA202:
Android phones and USB DACs
http://nwavguy.blogspot.fr/2011/02/behr ... eview.html

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable (Micro-A plug inserted in the S III) >> USB DAC/amp Behringer UCA202 >> headphones

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nitephlight
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:06 am

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by nitephlight » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:21 am

dmitrykos wrote:I think if PC is capable of outputting in 24 bits and direct sampling rate of the music file then the quality of PC driven output will be superior to any standard Android device because Android OS is locked to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. If ever Android OS gains capability to work in Exclusive audio mode (like Windows Vista and up) when application locks audio hardware to own usage with ability to set desired output audio format then PC and Android devices will be equal by quality and probably portable device will win just for being smaller.
it's unfortunate that even with digital output over USB, the source material is locked to 44.1/16.. i've become fascinated recently with the OMAP4 SoC and how the ABE interacts with with OS (still getting the grasp of it, apologize if my thoughts are off). As I'm sure your aware, audioflinger is one of the barriers to maximizing performance on Android. What are your thoughts on Pulseaudio as an alternative? (It's of course understood that currently the implementation of PA would only work on select devices).. been convincing myself to set it up on my galaxy nexus ^ ^

if android is doomed to exist without exclusive ASIO type functionality, we can at least seek out better reproduction of sound and cling to our beloved Wolfson DACs =)

DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:02 pm

Samsung Galaxy S III & Stoner Acoustics UD100, an affordable tiny USB DAC based on ESS Sabre ES9023 chip:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showt ... ry54596977
http://www.inearmatters.net/2012/09/tin ... toner.html

Galaxy S III > digital audio flow >> UD100 >> Audio Technica ATH-CK100 triple balanced armature inner headphone

"Volume level is sufficient, no amp required."


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DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:51 pm

Nexus 7 & USB DAC/amp FiiO E17:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/627459/use-a-s ... step-guide

custom Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> FiiO E17 >> Sennheiser HD 595


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DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:15 am

VentureCraft sees potential in Android & standard USB audio.
VentureCraft delays the release date of its latest headphone amplifier Go-Dap X in order to modify it so that it can interwork with the Samsung Galaxy S3.

"Go-Dap X releasing date in stores will be on Sep. 25th due to this Galaxy S3 modification."
http://www.venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/index.php

stock Samsung Galaxy S3 > digital audio stream >> short USB OTG cable from VentureCraft >> Go-Dap X USB DAC/amp >> headphones


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86cOdNXv1Iw

DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Thu Sep 27, 2012 8:05 pm

Samsung Galaxy S III & xDuoo XP-1 USB DAC/amp:
Report
xDuoo XP-1

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> xDuoo XP-1 >> headphones


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DanBa
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 9:16 pm

Re: USB DAC support on USB OTG enabled devices? {Please vote

Post by DanBa » Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:21 pm

The standard USB audio is also enabled on stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-powered Samsung Galaxy Note II:
http://www.eprice.com.tw/mobile/talk/4523/4815783/1/1/

stock Galaxy Note II > digital USB audio out >> iBasso D12 Hj >> Westone UM3X


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