Hello all ,
Is there a way to get an audio line-out from the Galaxy Nexus, either using an adapter or a docking station? I'm not looking for a solution like the one offered by the Samsung Galaxy S2's car dock (which streams bluetooth audio from the phone to the dock, then the dock turns the bluetooth streaming to analog audio through a 3.5mm port) but rather something like an adapter for the MHL port or from the docking station.
Appreciate all the help!
The obvious solution (at least to me) is to plug into the headphone jack. You could also use either the media dock or MHL adapter in conjunction with an HDMI-to-analog adapter such as the one linked below:
http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-RCA-comp...OQPU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321905031&sr=8-2
vespoid said:
The obvious solution (at least to me) is to plug into the headphone jack. You could also use either the media dock or MHL adapter in conjunction with an HDMI-to-analog adapter such as the one linked below:
http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-RCA-comp...OQPU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321905031&sr=8-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's asking for a line out solution because it will bypass the internal headphone amp that is utilized when the 3.5mm port is used. If you're plugging the phone into speakers or a sound system that way you'll get much better sound.
If the mhl -> HDMI cable adapter carries both audio and video, you could use an hdmi breakout adapter to split the digital audio. It depends on the HDMI output capabilities of the phone and the acceptability of digital audio for your needs.
Edit: would no doubt be a cumbersome solution. It all comes down to your usage scenario for the output.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
Thank you vespoid, ardabey.
What OJ in Compton said, I'm looking to bypass the internal headphone amp, not sure if there are any details on the car dock or desk dock, I hope 3rd party manufacturers come up with something, any solutions are welcome.
Ali
Never thought about this, but a contactless dock with HDMI out directly to the AMP = audio bliss. Thanks to the forum for letting me see the obvious
Bumping this thread...has anyone successfully done this? I want line out audio for my car's 3.5mm AUX input - had it with my ipod and it sounded much better than through the headphone jack, as well the convenience of not having to maintain two volumes.
Hoping the official car dock that uses the 3 pin connector and has a 3.5 out would do this, but I'm worried it will just use BT to transmit the audio to the dock like I read the Nexus One dock did.
I wish too that the NG had line level out.
I think it's a limitation of the hardware. I think Apple is the online one that really uses line level out via it's dock connector.
I hope someday Google will use some sort of line level out on their reference hardware or built support directly into a newer OS.
I remember my old Dell DJ had line level out. Soooooo much better.
There is nothing wrong with the 3.5mm output sound quality wise.
Trying to drive headphone-like impedance (lower) with a line out isn't the best idea, but driving higher impedance inputs like your car deck isn't that bad as long as you let the amps do the "work" of boosting the volume and not your phone. While not optimal, the decrease in sound quality shouldn't be very noticeable.
The main advantage of the digital audio though USB (what apple does) IMO is that it eliminates the need to have both the USB plugged in to charge and the 3.5 mm cord for audio. It also allows song data to be shared and device control from the speaker/head unit. Good setups will recognize most android devices as mass USB storage and provide the same functionality, but I'm not sure how the MTS on the GN will affect this.
I would wait and see how the audio quality is from the dock. Even if it is bluetooth, the audio quality may not be that bad.
Lithoss said:
There is nothing wrong with the 3.5mm output sound quality wise.
Trying to drive headphone-like impedance (lower) with a line out isn't the best idea, but driving higher impedance inputs like your car deck isn't that bad as long as you let the amps do the "work" of boosting the volume and not your phone. While not optimal, the decrease in sound quality shouldn't be very noticeable.
The main advantage of the digital audio though USB (what apple does) IMO is that it eliminates the need to have both the USB plugged in to charge and the 3.5 mm cord for audio. It also allows song data to be shared and device control from the speaker/head unit. Good setups will recognize most android devices as mass USB storage and provide the same functionality, but I'm not sure how the MTS on the GN will affect this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, that if the head unit supports MTP then yes it can read the device like mass-storage, thats fine, but it doesn't allow you to stream media from radio apps, youtube and turn-by-turn directions from gps, this is what we are looking for...
technically it's not sending analog audio output through the USB, its just reading the stored media on the phone.
I have read that samsung phones are able to accomplish sending analog audio through the USB while charging, with the correct resistance values (adapter) or possibly with software pointing the audio in that direction (for example code build into the framework/API)
this is one major thing that Android lacks over iPhone, this problem should be addressed ASAP. I'm hoping CM9 might be able to find a solution for this.
I agree, i hope they fix this soon toi. It would make the development of accessories much easier for all android phones. Seems like a no brainer but I guess Google has other priorities...
A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
Juvenall said:
A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just starred this, if the hardware is able to do that I find it completely stupid that they do not allow it.
Smartphones audio amps are not exactly famous for being top-quality so having this possibility would be great.
Thanks. The lack of this feature is ridiculous/mind-boggling/suprising.
Well, if you were waiting for the card dock to solve your problems... it doesn't. Plugging into the dock's "line out" gets you amp driven sound. I really do not understand why this is such an issue for Android. When I plug somoething into my 3 year old Nokia smartphone a window pops up for me to choose headphones, headset or line out. Why can't ICS offer the option and if in the car dock, default to line out? A USB solution is not going to help if you are using the car dock.
Juvenall said:
A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, most def. I want to use several USB dacs on hand. Off for some op amp rollin'.
Edit: The pogo pin dock has a 3.5mm analog/digital output, FYI
Oops
flacoff said:
Edit: The pogo pin dock has a 3.5mm analog/digital output, FYI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which if I understand correctly uses Bluetooth to transmit compressed audio from the phone to the dock, then delivers it through the 3.5mm jack. Why not just have a digital signal go through the USB port!?
ali87 said:
Which if I understand correctly uses Bluetooth to transmit compressed audio from the phone to the dock, then delivers it through the 3.5mm jack. Why not just have a digital signal go through the USB port!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually the pogo pin transfers the digitial audio and the dock decodes it into analog to the 3.5mm output
Related
I can not believe what's happening with my new cable MHL! I have a TV with DVI input, but I've never had any problem because with a simple HDMI-DVI adapter I could always play HD video on my TV and, from the headphone, I have the audio connected to a "AUX input" of a stereo. It always worked with my laptop and my hard drive media!!
The problem is that the galaxy s2 headset turns off the sound when you plug the MHL cable. I can not hear anything on my TV!
I do not know what to do, I think has no solution. I even connected the mobile audio to my notebook's bluetooth, but when I connect the mhl cable no sound is heard again!!
Does anyone have any solution? Is there any menu to force the sound through headphones?
thanks
I think I have a solution. I Expose it to help someone having the same problem:
1 .- Buy a HDMI male to 5 RCA RGB audio video av component cable
2.- Buy a DVI-I 24+5 Male to 3 RCA RGB Female Converter Adapter
Now you have the video and audio separately using an HDMI cable
3.- Connect the RGB cable to the DVI and audio cables to your stereo
*I can not put pictures of the cables because I am a new user and the system will not let me, sorry.
frander said:
3.- Connect the RGB cable to the DVI and audio cables to your stereo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, HDMI doesn't carry analog audio signals. So you are out of luck with this RCA solution.
You need to a) change your TV model, or b) use a cheap AV receiver in between the GS2 and the TV set.
Think it's impossible to work? What bad news!! I don't understand why someone sells a cable that doesn't work!
What a fool I was to believe the technical characteristics of amazon:
Gold plated HDMI to 5 RCA component video audio AV cable.
Provides high resolution up to 1080p.
High definition sound and clear image transfers.
* if you write 'HDMI Male to 5 RCA RGB Audio Video AV Component Cable' in google, is one of the first result (amazon)
Does not matter, I've only lost 6 euros (ebay).
Thanks
Anyway I don't understand why we talk about converting the image and sound in analog. There are manuals about how to open an HDMI cable and also has the red, green and blue wires inside. Just for separate cables lost the concept of "digital? Not understand...
My TV has DVI input, which is also digital. As I said before, I have an HDMI female to DVI male that works perfectly on my TV when connect my laptop and my multimedia hard drive. If I could break the adapter, it would have too a derivation of wires a pin to another, right? And it works in high definition
All I wanted to do with this cable was to extract the sound from an HDMI cable because the Galaxy S2 lost the sound of the headphone and I can not connect to the AUX input of my amp.
The HDMI digital audio signal is transmitted as a single aggregated digital stream that contains a variable number of digital channels (from 2 to 7.1 and even more).
Also in the pre-HDMI days the DVD's SD multichannel digital audio stream was transferred using a single coaxial cable (electrical) or a single optical cable, hence no separated cables for every channel.
Therefore digital channels have to be previously decoded and separated, and then converted by DACs to discrete analog signals.
No hope then to directly get from HDMI a couple of stereo analog signals to feed your stereo amplifier, you should have read all the negative user reviews of that cable on Amazon UK.
My suggestion: buy a cheap (or used) AV receiver with HDMI inputs/outputs and then connect its analog stereo monitor output to the TV auxiliary audio input (red/white RCAs or 3.5mm connector), or just use a couple of speakers connected to the AV receiver.
I was really hoping to use this phone with any normal DVI monitor and use headphones connected to the phones headphone jack. I guess this destroys that idea.
Why is it that everytime something like MHL comes along they implement it with absolutely no foresight as to how it might be used?
I think that MHL is just similar to HDMI in that respect.
So you wouldn't get analog audio output from the GS2 even if it had an HDMI instead of an MHL.
Today the manufacturers of latest cell phones expect connections only with TV sets equipped with complete digital ports (generally HDMI), not considering their products to be used with computer monitors.
BTW, DVI video-only port today is considered not suitable for full-HD audio-video material, and probably couldn't even fully support 1080p/24fps video signals.
DVI monitors support 60hz 1080p okay. Whether or not they cans support 1080p/30 or 1080p/24 purely depends on the monitor's firmware. Most monitors woudn't support 24hz but some probably support 30hz, which I think the GSII uses.
Also I didn't know HDMI out on phones did the same thing. Thanks for telling me that.
I guess it's the matter of audio routing!
Maybe someday someone could mod the kernel to handle these types of situations ;-)
Fingers crossed!
I found this app "SoundAbout" witch let you change the output
it works perfectly for me, sound on the smartphone and video on the monitor (tested on galaxy s3)
Coincoin0017 said:
I found this app "SoundAbout" witch let you change the output
it works perfectly for me, sound on the smartphone and video on the monitor (tested on galaxy s3)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Coincoin0017. But the problem resolved itself when I installed android 4.0.4. Now the headphone output works when I plug the MHL adapter
Serav said:
I was really hoping to use this phone with any normal DVI monitor and use headphones connected to the phones headphone jack. I guess this destroys that idea.
Why is it that everytime something like MHL comes along they implement it with absolutely no foresight as to how it might be used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now days they only cater for the mainstream market.
the assumption was probably everyone will only use it on a hdtv that has its own speakers.
I agree its a sad state of affairs but thats how it is I guess, I am currently trying to get sound as I am using a hdmi monitor which has no speakers.
---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 PM ----------
Coincoin0017 said:
I found this app "SoundAbout" witch let you change the output
it works perfectly for me, sound on the smartphone and video on the monitor (tested on galaxy s3)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet this works, thanks man.
doing the same, sound to phone, picture to hdmi monitor.
google seems brainless at times they really do, why this isnt in the OS I dont know.
Intersting
frander said:
Thank you Coincoin0017. But the problem resolved itself when I installed android 4.0.4. Now the headphone output works when I plug the MHL adapter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. ... (hopefully still works on 4.3) I have the same problem with my PWD8 which is a panel so doesn't have speakers.
Is it possible to take a cable from the phones (Note 2) 3.5mm jack and put it into an AV receiver so that it uses the speakers attached to it?
Or even bluetooth sound to a separate speaker from the phone?
Sound about app useful for allowing sound to get to av receiver via rca cable
Does anyone know if it is possible to get an LOD for the Epic 4G Touch?
In case you have no idea what this means, here's your lesson in audiophile gear for the day:
Line Out Dock (a.k.a. LOD), n.: a cable commonly used on audio devices which creates a "line out" similar to a headphone jack but with no volume control and often better analog signal quality. This is useful in that it allows a user to bypass the headphone jack of a device and run the audio signal straight into an external amplifier. This is often done when an audiophile-type individual has headphones which benefit from a audio source with greater output power than a portable device typically provides.
Examples of LOD's:
Apple iPod/iPhone
Sansa Fuze
Bazirker said:
Does anyone know if it is possible to get an LOD for the Epic 4G Touch?
In case you have no idea what this means, here's your lesson in audiophile gear for the day:
Line Out Dock (a.k.a. LOD), n.: a cable commonly used on audio devices which creates a "line out" similar to a headphone jack but with no volume control and often better analog signal quality. This is useful in that it allows a user to bypass the headphone jack of a device and run the audio signal straight into an external amplifier. This is often done when an audiophile-type individual has headphones which benefit from a audio source with greater output power than a portable device typically provides.
Examples of LOD's:
Apple iPod/iPhone
Sansa Fuze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I googled epic 4g touch dock:
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/EDD-D1D9BEGSTA
Samsung HM3700 Stereo bluetooth headset
I bought the Samsung HM3700 Stereo bluetooth headset which comes with one. I am sure Monoprice.com has one or even Ebay; but if it's worth 24.99 to yah you can buy the headset.
Sort of what I'm after, but not really. I don't want a dock, I want a cable. This is for portable listening on the go with an amp.
Thanks!
Gorguts said:
I bought the Samsung HM3700 Stereo bluetooth headset which comes with one. I am sure Monoprice.com has one or even Ebay; but if it's worth 24.99 to yah you can buy the headset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I see what you're talking about; our just looks like a bluetooth headset to me.
The pinout for micro usb is the same across phones, right? If so, this should work.
fonseca898 said:
The pinout for micro usb is the same across phones, right? If so, this should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow...if this works...
Does it mean I can listen to pandora on my phone and stream it through this LOD into my cars aux ports for superior sound quality?!
fonseca898 said:
The pinout for micro usb is the same across phones, right? If so, this should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is quite interesting and just might work.
What remains to be seen is whether or not that provides superior sound quality to the headphone jack. It just occurred to me that the Samsung car dock (which I have) is essentially the same thing as that USB micro to 3.5mm jack plug unless the phone has software which can recognize the difference. In this case, volume would still be controlled via the phone. I might have to test and see if I can hear a difference in sound quality, but I doubt it (or at least doubt that the dock will be better.)
I have both the official samsung desk dock, and car dock. They both have 3.5mm audio line out. Isn't that what you're asking for? I didn't know it had a "fancy" term though..
Edit: Maybe it's not exactly what you're asking for. I think you're hoping to get line level straight out of the DAC, which I don't think is possible with the SGSII. The audio dock line out is around the same quality as the headphone jack (as far as my "non audiophile" ears can tell) and it's certainly volume-controlled by software. Anyhow, some of the new custom ROMs out have beats audio and dspmanager built-in, which go a long way into tweaking the way audio exits the device. You may want to look into that.
Yeah the desk dock is still less portable than I'm looking for. I have DSP Manager on my phone and it helps to some extent. Guess I'm just stuck with the headphone jack. Thanks!
im pretty sure you need usb-host first, i think a usb dac has been used back on the nook color w/cm7 but then you lose portability and all that.
related?? http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
I'm not an "audiophile", but I probably have more critical ears than most when it comes to quality sounds. And the GSIII isn't impressing me like I hoped it would. So I'm looking to squeeze as much out of the GSIII experience as possible, while also getting a good music experience.
So, I ditched Bluetooth and finally got USB audio when docked (thank you, CM).
But still not really impressed. Now I'd like to try these DAC things. But I have zero experience with these.
What I want is to store all my 320kbps MP3's and my FLAC's on my phone. And be able to hook my phone up to my car stereo, garage stereo and home stereo's.
One thing that concerns me is the car experience. How do you guys handle things like call audio and system sounds and GPS navigation voice?
Is it like with Bluetooth & USB audio where you hear everything without having to change inputs?
So if I plug my phone into an MHL and plug that into an HDMI to digital audio converter and plug that into a DAC and plug that into my car stereo's 3.5mm or stereo RCA input, I know that I'll get great/better music (right?!?).
But will I also get call audio and system sounds and navigation voice through that same DAC input to the car stereo? Or will I have to change an input for this to happen?
edit: Forgot to mention that I have no interest in video output at all. All I want is to get digital audio out of my phone! And I'm running a CyanogenMOD hybrid ROM.
edit #2: Oh snap, what is this USB OTG thing? Looks like something I need to research. Could be a way of getting digital audio out of phone without messing with some of the other crap.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/270#post_8660606
EDIT #3: Yep, looks like a USB-OTG is all I need to connect my phone to a DAC. See attached pic.
Now just need to research and figure out if there is a way to charge the phone at the same time.
Edit #4: Kk, it looks like you can plug a DAC into your phone and have the phone also charge at the same time. This thread talks about it and also points to the $6 MHL adapter that is capable of doing this:
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/30615-can-you-charge-usb-host-mode-simultaneously/page__st__60
edit #5: Found a USB OTG cable with Y-cable to charging, for sale here in the USA for just $4 more than the Chinese folks. I just ordered it.
Now to buy a DAC (found a FiiO E7 on local craigslist for $35).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-H...100776?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item25771bcda8
Check this thread too.
annulation said:
Check this thread too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I could have saved my googling skillz by simpling reading that one thread. Wish I'd found it sooner. Thanks for posting the link. :good:
EDIT/UPDATE January 2013: The USB-DAC option is now working for AOSP based i9300 and North American phones!
Here is my thread on how to get it working for Liquidsmooth (cm10.1 clone) on my AT&T S3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2116877
---------------------------------------------------------
EDIT/UPDATE 02/12/2013 --- This USB-DAC functionality also now works with the Xylon AOSP ROM after the JackNorris patch:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37925178#post37925178
Also, LiquidSmooth thread is closed now due to the team breaking up. But a new thread will likely be opened soon as the ROM is still being developed by the new Liquid team.
---------------------------------------------------------
EDIT/UPDATE 2/28/13 for North American S3's (not sure about Euro S3):
CZ Eddie said:
For the 4.1.X AOSP ROM's, only LiquidSmooth and Xylon work. If you can find them anymore. All stock based/rooted ROM's work.
LiquidSmooth ROM never skips, it had flawless audio performance. But you lose the headphone jack on LiquidSmooth. And the 4.1.X Xylon ROM was a WIP ROM with various bugs.
The 4.1.2 LiquidSmooth ROM was fantastic. Never once had any cd-skipping type sounds. Sounded excellent and was a flawless, bug-free ROM. Perfect if you didn't need the headphone jack, which was the only issue. BUT, I can't find that ROM download anymore. I have a nandroid and if someone bugged the hell out of me, I might be talked into uploading it. But it was a nandroid from a dirty flash so I can't guarantee it will work perfectly.
Stock ROM's skip sometimes when initially connecting audio and also when taking calls or other events occur. Otherwise they work great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL THREAD TEXT BELOW:
---------------------------------------------------------
So, you're like me and you want to use your North American Galaxy S3 with your car stereo to stream Pandora, play MP3's and listen to your phones Navigation directions.
But, Bluetooth obviously sucks for so many reasons.
And the USB analog audio output has too many clicks/clacks and otherwise degraded sound.
So what do you do? You're an audiophile (or a wanna-be like me) and NEED better, cleaner sound!
Well, here is how you can get near audiophile quality sound from your GS3 to your car stereo.
1) Purchase an external USB DAC (digital to audio converter). This takes your phone's digital audio and cleanly converts it to analog audio for your car stereo to handle.
So why don't we just use the phone's internal DAC? Well, because it's a cheapy, crappy sounding Yamaha DAC. Samsung cheaped out on us! So we're using a BETTER DAC instead.
I bought the Behringer UCA202 USB DAC for just $30 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160904879602?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
2) Now you need to get the digital audio out of your phone and into the external DAC! And you also need to make sure your phone still charges! So I bought this USB-OTG cable that has a charging adapter. It's just $10 shipped:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160912100776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
3) And then you need a dual-RCA to 3.5mm cable to get the analog audio from the DAC into the Car Stereo! I used one similar to this $3 shipped one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-FT-3-5mm-...=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item2a134140b0
And so what are the results you ask?
HOLY MOLY!
Not only is the audio quality MUCH improved, but the sound is so CLEAN now. No clicks, burps, or any other weird background noises. Just straight CD quality background silence.
Even my GPS voice sounds prettier. hahah
Bass is tighter and deeper. Highs are more revealing. Everything is so much better that a novice could tell it sounds better.
And yes, GPS navigation works perfectly. If I'm listening to Pandora or an MP3 and my GPS needs to talk, then my music will go several db quieter and GPS will speak up, then afterwards the music will automatically go back to full volume.
UPDATE EDIT: Google Maps voice gets cut off when it starts talking, if I'm not already listening to music. When music is playing, then Google Maps voice talks perfect. But if nothing else is using sound, then I think Google Maps doesn't force its voice out enough and the first part gets cut off. This could have been a one-day deal or other issue. I need more time with it.
Also, one thing I hated about Bluetooth was everytime I turned my car off for just a minute, when I would power it back on the Bluetooth would not consistently reconnect. Well, this USB-OTG has been very consistent for me so far. Music just picks back up where it left off at and is fairly quick to do so.
Cons? Well, I haven't tested hands free calling yet. But I'm told it doesn't work with this USB-OTG to DAC configuration. Maybe there is a bluetooth solution for that. I dunno? And AOSP does not yet support DACs.
UPDATE EDIT: Bluetooth hands-free works perfectly when I'm using the USB-OTG to my DAC. I'll add pics & info below.
UPDATE EDIT: Once in awhile, my cheapy DAC gets weird sounding when I first start up music. Like a CD player skipping. I just stop and start the music again and it's fine. Or it quickly goes away on it's own. Doesn't happen very often though.
UPDATE #2 EDIT:*I flashed a new ROM today and everything has been 100% flawless so far. That last ROM had lots of weird issues.
Pros? Freakin everything.
Pics are below.
Here is the DAC and the USB-OTG cable:
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This is how you configure the DAC. You can probably also use the headphones output instead of the stereo RCA, but I didn't try it.
I wired up my USB-OTG cable to my iBOLT dock. It comes up through my dash defrost vents.
This is what the three connectors on the USB-OTG cable look like:
Here is the DAC being wired up. I taped up the non-used RCA's to prevent anything bugging with them.
I wrapped up the DAC with DUCT tape.
Hid it behind my dash.
Here is the USB-OTG cable with my iBOLT dock.
The car stereo w/audio cable attached. Some car stereos have the 3.5mm connector in the back. Or a dual-RCA input. I'd prefer one of those to have a cleaner install. Maybe someday I'll upgrade my car stereo.
And here is the finished product. My S3 docked, charging and outputing beautiful digital music!
LINKS:
How to make your own USB-OTG cable with power:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1828032
List of compatible DACs:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1320#post_9038046
The official Galaxy S3 sound quality thread (TONS of info!!!):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633685&page=2
UPDATE EDIT:
Here is how you get Bluetooth hands-free calling working. I tested it today. Started listening to music via PowerAmp through the USB-OTG to DAC to my car stereo which was set to the AUX input. Then I accepted an incoming call. My car stereo automatically switched to Bluetooth input on it's own and I could hear/talk over bluetooth to the car stereo/speakers without any problem. After disconnecting the call, my car stereo automatically went back to AUX input and my USB-OTG/DAC music resumed playing nicely.
So here are the steps.
1) Connect your phone to your car stereo via Bluetooth.
2) Click the "settings" button next to your Bluetooth connection in the phone:
3) Put a checkmark in "Call Audio" and de-select "Media Audio".
4) When you accept a call on your phone, click the "headset" button and all audio will be played over your car speakers and your voice will be picked up by your hands-free microphone.
My next step is to figure out a way to get TASKER to automatically select "headset" when I'm in my car.
EDIT:
Here is my new dock and new cable solution. Just one single cable down under my dash.
Great post and very well put together but there a couple of things
1) doubt pandora is of audiophile quality
2) most people won't hear a difference since most don't have super expensive speakers in their car
3) the amp/dac you have has 2 ANALOG outputs (rca and headphone) and 1 digital output (Optical cable)....since you're using the analog output.... its been through an amp already.... then your stereo amps the signal again.... so technically you're amping an already amped signal. If you want to notice a difference use a line out/digital signal to ur stereo.
http://www.headstage.com/USB-DAC-Cable/USB-DAC-Cable-with-35mm-Mini-Plug-75cm-30::10134.html
would be the perfect solution..lineout.... small.... don't need to hide anything, and take it with you inside ur house and use it for the receiver at home also.
But if you want something with analog, lineout and portable.... i'd go with an E7 from Fiio... need to buy a 10 dollar adapter for the line out.... but for about 80 you can listen to it from ur s3 or computer straight to ur headphones via analog. use the line out adapter to hook it up to ur car stereo or home receiver. so best of both worlds.
If you're going to quote something, please don't quote a zillion pictures with it.
krash183 said:
1) doubt pandora is of audiophile quality
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Absolutely it is not "audiophile" quality. But that doesn't mean it doesn't sound better with my current DAC configuration. Because it does sound better now. Though it's still limited by the lower bitrate/conversion Pandora offers us.
My 320kbps and FLAC MP3 collection sounds absolutely incredible though.
krash183 said:
2) most people won't hear a difference since most don't have super expensive speakers in their car
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I have $60 Alpine speakers and it was a heck of a difference. I can only imagine how much better it'll get when I do eventually put high end separates in here.
My subwoofer is fairly high end though.
You don't need high end speakers to notice a cleaner sound.
krash183 said:
3) the amp/dac you have has 2 ANALOG outputs (rca and headphone) and 1 digital output (Optical cable)....since you're using the analog output.... its been through an amp already.... then your stereo amps the signal again.... so technically you're amping an already amped signal. If you want to notice a difference use a line out/digital signal to ur stereo.
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Huh?!? Nothing has been amplified before it hits my car stereo. My phone deliveres a digital signal to a converter, which convers the signal to a high end analog signal directly into my car stereo. This means neither the DAC in my phone or my car stereo is used.
CZ Eddie said:
Huh?!? Nothing has been amplified before it hits my car stereo. My phone deliveres a digital signal to a converter, which convers the signal to a high end analog signal directly into my car stereo. This means neither the DAC in my phone or my car stereo is used.
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Not talking about the DAC... talking about the amp section. But I read the specs wrong on your link,
"The stereo headphone output features a dedicated level control and lets you listen to both the input and output."
I thought the level control was for the headphone and RCA out, but reading more the RCA is a lineout.
The E7 you mentioned is a very popular one indeed.
This one is on my "upgrade wishlist" if I ever get more serious. It's being compared with >$300 DAC's due to the chipset it uses.
edit: removed link due to report that this particular DAC may not be compatible with Android.
Here is a list of known working DAC's:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1320#post_9038046
by using the rca to headphone cable it automatically is in analog therefore not digital at all and all those conversions and amplifications can and most likely causes some signal degradation...it's kind of a round about way to get cleaner sound when your using low bitrate streaming music...
CZ Eddie said:
The E7 you mentioned is a very popular one indeed.
This one is on my "upgrade wishlist" if I ever get more serious. It's being compared with >$300 DAC's due to the chipset it uses.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140847495065?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
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96khz/24bit...wow thats impressive.... I'm using a old silverstone DAC with a burr brown connected to an old x-head amp, But it works well since it was only 10 bucks used haha. Want to get this and find a used objective amp.
killj0y said:
by using the rca to headphone cable it automatically is in analog therefore not digital at all and all those conversions and amplifications can and most likely causes some signal degradation...it's kind of a round about way to get cleaner sound when your using low bitrate streaming music...
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Hmm, you may want to research the subject a little more.
Subscribed.. Great thread..
Does this provide a true line out, or is volume still controlled by the phone?
Also since there's clearly audiophiles here has anyone tried or heard of this?
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/index.html
I have a Jetta and it would be great to be able to use my steering wheel controls to skip/replay tracks...
Again.. Great thread..
ddiehl said:
Does this provide a true line out, or is volume still controlled by the phone?
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Volume is controlled by the phone still.
Though the volume button on the DAC does also affect volume.
I set mine to full volume on the DAC. Forgot to mention that in my OP.
So my Car Home Ultra application automatically sets Android volume to max, and I end up using my car stereo's volume knob for everything.
ddiehl said:
Also since there's clearly audiophiles here has anyone tried or heard of this?
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/index.html
I have a Jetta and it would be great to be able to use my steering wheel controls to skip/replay tracks...
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Nope, never looked into that. But there are lots of steering wheel control thingies developed for car stereos.
Something else I want to look into is this sucker. Infinity IMS:
http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=IMS
A DAC developed *specifically* for Android should be available in January.
It's kind of expensive though.
The AudioQuest Bumblebee:
Designed specifically for Android devices
24-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip
Supports all music files including 24-bit/192kHz lossless
Drives headphones directly with 3.5mm mini-jack output
Fixed or Variable output modes
Asynchronous transfer for accurate digital timing
64-position (computer-controlled) analog volume control
Isolated dual master clocks
Colour changing LED to indicate source sample rate
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http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/audioquest/1220/bumblebee/bumblebee.asp
CZ Eddie said:
Hmm, you may want to research the subject a little more.
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I agree with killjoy. You are not getting the full benefits of your dac if it's just connected via aux in.
You will have to either use a usb or optical connection.
I was about to get a leckerton uha 6s mk ii, but I couldn't find a way to have hi fi connection with my car stereo.
And fwiw, I do connect my international sgs3 (Wolfson chip) with a denko cable interconnect tipped with neutrik plugs. Audio via neutron player. Very good. But definitely not hi fi.
Sent from a Galaxy far, far away
rab1412000 said:
I agree with killjoy.
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So you also think that the DAC or phone is amplifying the signal? Because that's what he said.
It's a pre-amp DAC, guys.
rab1412000 said:
You are not getting the full benefits of your dac if it's just connected via aux in.
You will have to either use a usb or optical connection.
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Well that would be great if there were a plethora of car stereos with optical input, but there aren't.
This isn't an "audiophile" thread. This is a thread to help people get cleaner and better audio sound in their cars when using the S3 as a source.
CZ Eddie said:
So you also think that the DAC or phone is amplifying the signal? Because that's what he said.
It's a pre-amp DAC, guys.
Well that would be great if there were a plethora of car stereos with optical input, but there aren't.
This isn't an "audiophile" thread. This is a thread to help people get cleaner and better audio sound in their cars when using the S3 as a source.
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Afaik all stand alone dacs have a pre amp or else you wouldn't hear music from it. However the better ones have specific connectors to bypass the internal amp to avoid double amping.
The reason I mentioned hi fi sound and the limitations of the aux in is to serve as a sort of warning to you and others. As you have the us sgs 3 (with the poor internal dac) and a cheap external, connecting via aux in is definitely a good option.
However getting a more expensive dac such as the Sabre equipped ones you mentioned MAY NOT improve your sq due to the limitations of the inter connection.
Sent from a Galaxy far, far away
rab1412000 said:
Afaik all stand alone dacs have a pre amp or else you wouldn't hear music from it. However the better ones have specific connectors to bypass the internal amp to avoid double amping.
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There is no freakin internal amp in this DAC. WTF.
How many times do I have to stress this point? LOL
rab1412000 said:
The reason I mentioned hi fi sound and the limitations of the aux in is to serve as a sort of warning to you and others. As you have the us sgs 3 (with the poor internal dac) and a cheap external, connecting via aux in is definitely a good option.
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We're not using AUX in on the DAC. We're using the digital input on the DAC. The DAC is then converting that digital signal to analog where it's being sent directly to my car stereo amps (via the car stereo).
The signal is going to be analog at some point, no matter what you have in your bag of tricks. I believe that even digital amplifiers have to convert the signal to analog at some point, though I could be wrong on that one.
rab1412000 said:
However getting a more expensive dac such as the Sabre equipped ones you mentioned MAY NOT improve your sq due to the limitations of the inter connection.
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That is the craziest statement ever.
Yes, interconnection will always be somewhat of a limitation.
But processing can always be improved upon.
Nice writeup, it was an a-ha moment for me recently, that I should be using my Fiio E7 in the car. Haven't done anything about it like you have.
The next step is to take the digital out of the DAC and send it right to the digital input of a DSP, such as this:
That's what I'm talking about! Who needs a head unit?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy SIII
OSNPA said:
The next step is to take the digital out of the DAC and send it right to the digital input of a DSP, such as this:
That's what I'm talking about! Who needs a head unit?
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Whoahh. :good:
http://www.zapco.com/zapcoprocessors.html
Lol I wasn't talking about the aux in of the DAC but the aux in of the stereo, which is the weak link here.
The dsp unit above is the solution your looking for if you want true hi fi. You will never get it by connecting thru aux in of stereo is what I'm saying.
Also no need for insults or derogatory statements here mate. We are all trying to help each other. My comments, whether they agree with your opinions or not, should be taken constructively
Sent from a Galaxy far, far away
It's actually not a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). It doesn't have a Digital input, per their Website. The volume control is for monitoring the input and output so that wouldn't need a Amp. This is a USB audio interface for pc and macs.
The UCA202 allows you to connect instruments and other audio devices to your computer, effectively merging the analog and digital worlds. It accomplishes this by providing two analog mono Inputs and Outputs (for monitoring), USB connectivity and an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct analog-to-digital conversion. The stereo headphone output features a dedicated level control and lets you listen to both the input and output.
It has only analog inputs and a S/PDIF out that coverts analog to digital. So i'm sure what he's saying is that this unit takes the analog from the phone and cleans it up before it's delivered to analog input of Head Units...
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx
CZ Eddie said:
Whoahh. :good:
http://www.zapco.com/zapcoprocessors.html
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I've used that specific one, just not with the digital input. I am more experienced with audio than I am with android, pm me if want to do something drastic.:thumbup:
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T)
Hi
I'm fed up with audio quality of my HTC when connected to my Hi-Fi Amp. On headphones my HTC one sounds amazing, but when paired to my Hi-Fi amp I have to turn the audio levels on my phone and HiFi amp turned up to max just to hear the music at "normal" levels (this introduces back ground hiss / and distortion). There's an article here that explains where this is the case (in essence the output voltage from the headphone output is insufficient to drive an Hi-Fi amplifier).
Does anyone know where I can get a device (I'll call it a pre amp) that will convert (i.e. amplify) the headphone output to Line-out level voltages. I'm guessing a dock with line out would be okay - but my GF uses iPhone (with the same issues), so Ideally the headphone jack on my phone will connect to the pre-amp, with the pre-amp connecting to my Hi-Fi amplifier (the pre amp will be externally powered my mains adapter).
I live in the UK, so UK sources / experience be most relevant, but any feedback is welcomed.
Many thanks!
if you can find somewhere locally to buy/try out something like this it might work
http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6
The posts I have read show some success with certain android phones, though it's by no means a guaranteed success. It works with some Samsung devices, and our phones support USB OTG/Host mode, so at least on paper it should work.
well if the amp you're looking for is anything similar to amplifying nicer headphones, theres a couple of options available for you to just flat out buy (for anywhere from $20 - $100), or you can just make one yourself from an altoids can for $10 - $20 if you know the basics of electronics and soldering.
Supposedly you can use an OTG cable/adapter to hook up the phone to an USB DAC (must be self-powered, as the OTG cannot supply enough juice to the DAC) and then DAC to the amp. I'll try it when I get home tonight to see if it works. I read that it's possible, but haven't tried it myself.
[update] I tried hooking up my AT&T HTC One to the USB DAC (self-powered, not USB bus powered) via the OTG cable. The stock music app still play music through the phone. However, fire up PowerAmp and the music comes through the stereo! Sweet sound...
why not consider a bluetooth speaker adapter like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Speaker-Adapter-Bluetooth/dp/B004VM1T5S
i have one, connected to my hi-fi amplifier.
it's cheap, ands sounds very good!
I am a huge fan of the HTC Bluetooth adaptor, it works great and has great sound quality for a bluetooth.