Tab S 10.5 + Lollipop 5.02 + USB DACs - Galaxy Tab S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

after working perfectly with 4.4 - my Fiio E17 DAC no longer works with my Tab S
from reading forums this seems quite a common complaint across Samsung users - including some Note 4 users (although bizarely some seem to have no issue)
I am not sure if it is a combination of the Tab S Exynos chipset + 5.02 + my specific DAC that has an issue - so has anyone with a Tab S and Lollipop got any USB DAC to work please ? I find the Headphone out rather poor (nowhere near as god sounding with my headphones as my Note 3) - but the screen class leading - so the combination of the Tab S + USB DAC was absolutely superb
I have read of one user using a E17 with a Sony device and Lollipop 5.02 - although can't verify it
I think Samsung had their own USB audio implementation before on 4.4 - which worked flawlessly for me - have they moved across to generic Android 5.02 implementation - and therefore could that be the issue (but doesn't explain why some non Samsung devices working ok) - OR has Samsung disabled their own USB audio but hasn't somehow implemented the 5.02 audio correctly?
hence I was wondering if anyone has managed to get USB Audio out of their Tab S please
USB audio works fine in USB Audio Pro tool - but you can only play local music content, 99.9% of my Tab S usage is with Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video etc etc
thanks for any help
LOVING Lollipop on Tab S otherwise so would be a shame to have to go back to 4.4 just for USB Audio

Bought an Oppo HA-2 and am having the same issues.
Sounds totally distorted using Player Pro, Poweramp, Samsung native music player, Spotify.
On Poweramp. the sound is distorted and the speed is super slow ie it gives the low demonic voice, like when slowing down a LP.
I don't want to have to load the Tab S with audio files and that only to use UAPP.

Fiio E18 here, works flawlessly with my Sony Z3 Compact.
On Tab S 10.5 LTE just gives slowmo playback and massive distortion..

I'm in the same boat. I used to use DACs with my Tab S 10.5 fine on the stock OS (4.4 I think), but when I upgraded to Lollipop it just hisses at me when I plug one in now. This is esspecialy annoying as I've just bought the Oppo HA-2 as well. I find this very odd since Lollipop is supposed to bring generic support for this to devices and yet it has stopped it working here. My wife has a Elephone P7000 (running Lollipop) and that works fine. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and a Galaxy Alpha (both running 4.4) and they work fine, butt if the Alpha (my main phone) gets an upgrade to Lillipop I will have to leave it now, as I need these two devices to work (they look so damn pretty together!).
Have you complained to Samsung about this? If so have you got a response? I think I will mention it to them now...

Im having problems as well...ive recently got a tab s 8.4...i upgraded to lollipop right out of the box...damn!
Anyway....my device is SMSL X-USB (XMOS based usb receiver). Works great with UAPP but not natively....no sound. On my Note 4 with lollipop 5.1.1 UAPP and native works great with it.
I want native to use RDIO, TUNEIN RADIO ETC....and then use UAPP for my hidef 96/24 flacs.
Im thinking of trying some custom roms but there are so many! Has anyone had any success with any of the custom roms?

Ok, I decided to change my entire Car Tablet install. Eliminate my Bluetooth head unit for a DAC and a DSP only to find issues. Both my Tab S 8.4 and S6 Edge will NOT WORK without using UAPP. But that's a music player. So no Android app sounds go through it. No YouTube, videos etc. Total fail with Samsung. I can test a HTC M8 just to try. Nexus 7 fresh from the 5.1.1 update doesn't work but I don't trust using my current DAC, since it's a 5.1 Surround Asus Xonar U5.
I've been trying to find DACs that work but haven't found much. I joined HeadFi and found some people that ditched the awesome Tab S for the downgraded Tab S2 because their USB SPDIF only DAC worked on the Tab S2.
I wouldn't mind downgrading to 4.4 to make DACs work, but will not get rid of my lovely screen, size, and install to go to a different tablet I dislike.
Like I stated I can't trust the Xonar, it's not a typical DAC. Unless someone can confirm it works with the Tab S on 4.4.
I know I'm not a 10.2 user but virtually the same devices, including the Tab Pro. So no need to make a new thread.
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

So, Cheap USB DAC's are working fine on Samsungs with Android 5+. But the ones I've tried out that are capable of digital audio output don't work unless using UAAP. This is not Ok. Time to look for a CM10 Rom to install on my Tab S. This is a huge failure on Android 5. I don't think its just samsung because my Nexus 7 on 5.1.1 OEM (Maybe CyanogenMod 12 as I have not tried it yet) also does not work, as well as my HTC M9. Everything works if using UAAP, but thats just a Music Player, does not work with any other audio. I personally might end up trying a decent priced DAC with only Analog output. Since I can't hear the difference in quality in my car.

USB audio out and DACs
I had same problems with usab audio out on lollipop on tab s, nexus 7 and LG G3.
I eventually got Tab S T805 USB audio out to work after I flashed the AICP 5.1.1 rom. Worked perfectly.
Last week I flashed the AOSP Marshmallow ROM and USB audio out and this works perfectly too.
I am sending to an Audio GD DAC via an OTG adaptor.
Eventually got the G3 to work on lollipop by using a powered hub but this did not work for Tab S.
Buckster76 said:
after working perfectly with 4.4 - my Fiio E17 DAC no longer works with my Tab S
from reading forums this seems quite a common complaint across Samsung users - including some Note 4 users (although bizarely some seem to have no issue)
I am not sure if it is a combination of the Tab S Exynos chipset + 5.02 + my specific DAC that has an issue - so has anyone with a Tab S and Lollipop got any USB DAC to work please ? I find the Headphone out rather poor (nowhere near as god sounding with my headphones as my Note 3) - but the screen class leading - so the combination of the Tab S + USB DAC was absolutely superb
I have read of one user using a E17 with a Sony device and Lollipop 5.02 - although can't verify it
I think Samsung had their own USB audio implementation before on 4.4 - which worked flawlessly for me - have they moved across to generic Android 5.02 implementation - and therefore could that be the issue (but doesn't explain why some non Samsung devices working ok) - OR has Samsung disabled their own USB audio but hasn't somehow implemented the 5.02 audio correctly?
hence I was wondering if anyone has managed to get USB Audio out of their Tab S please
USB audio works fine in USB Audio Pro tool - but you can only play local music content, 99.9% of my Tab S usage is with Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video etc etc
thanks for any help
LOVING Lollipop on Tab S otherwise so would be a shame to have to go back to 4.4 just for USB Audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

interestingly I get proper sound out of Neutron with their new "direct to USB" option
except then my Note 3 crashes

Neutron?
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

It's a music player
Whilst talking about USB DACs - someone on another thread posted a work around for Note 3 and USB DACs and woks perfectly on my Note 3 but no go on Tab S

If you just want to play Music, try UApp. I'm completely against settling for JUST a music player. I want to play a movie and YouTube and everything.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

I totally agree as most of my usage is the likes of Spotify etc
The workaround for my Note 3 although adds a few steps allows you to use DAC for all apps but doesn't work for Tab S
Annoying as the headphone out from my Note 3 is very very good anyway but the output from my Tab S I find rather poor and the main reason I bought the DAC in the first place !

Yes. I'm hoping there is a fix on 6.0 because I am not ok with just music. My tablet is built into my car, with a optical DAC, and a Helix DSP.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

I can't comment on the fiio as I've only got the amp only E11k but I can say my turtle beach earforce 450 DAC seems to work fine on my tab s. No surround, obviously, but I do get sound.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

All analog DACs seem to work. It's the DACs that have an optical out that are having issues.
Might join in on the Android 6 pages to see if they can fix the Native drivers. Doubt Samsung really cares enough. Typical DACs are working, that's good enough for them.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

Well, guess the "Native" USB DAC 'crap' Google has implemented doesn't work worth a damn on 6.0 either. Soo odd how it works almost flawless across soo many platforms before Android 5, then they release "Native" drivers that cripple all worthwile DACs. It's like they are purposely preventing us from using better DACs than that was installed internally so we'd be forced to use the Wolfson.
And Apple devices have Optical built in. Lol
Anyway I'm on 6.0 now testing out my Asus Xonar. Same issues as before. Using UApp it works but since UApp is 'only' a music player it leaves all other audio routed through the tablet. Noticing one issue that's new, there is a click sound every couple seconds of music playback that wasn't there on 5.1.1.
Need to find me a pre 5.0 CyanogenMod Rom to run.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

kernel
what about trying your stock 5.0.2rom with another kernel? like ironkernel or skyhigh kernel.
i do(or want to) belive dac suport is a kernel issue
if already are on lollipop 5.0.2 i would try this before anything else
i am currently on 4.4.2 and was just about to update to 5.0.2, had read it has native dac suport lol.
just tought i would check if there was any issues first
becouse i do have some issues of my own with my cheepo 5$ ebay pcm2704 dac with optical out (everytime i coldstart my xenons or i bump my cable it gets disconnected/connected in an instant and then sound gets wierd kinda like an echo of sorts, and i have to close music player remove cable wait a bit plug in and all is fine. quite annoing and dangerus now in the wintertime when there are frequent xenon cold starts) was hoping 5.0.2 would solve this.
im in the same boat as many others, dac suport inside player does nothing for me, as im using the tab as gps/mediasenter
so from what im reading im gonna live with it or atleast until someone have tryed 5.0.2 with another kernel
Cmon be a guinnipig, your device doesnt work anyway nothing yo lose ;p

Name the kernel and Rom, I've been on them all. I'm a vivid tester. It's not a kernel issue. This "native" support, technically just removed drivers for some dedicated DACs. Leaving the others that have been tested and proved working for years... Yes years before "native", I know I've been using DACs in all my tablet car installs from cheapo eBay 1 dollar pos dacs to high end, removed. The app UApp has this specific driver built into the app itself.
However what your describing sounds like a wiring issue.
I even jumped on the Android 6 bandwagon. It's not working on OEM Samsung Android 6 that was just released in beta form.
The hifi forum has 790 pages of info. And page one a collab of info on what dacs work and how they work.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

indeed i had wirering issues, nothing was sheilded, resoldered otg with sheilded cables and grounded dac chassie to cable (at the same time made a y on the otg cable for simulcharge with 88kohm resistor) and behold all is as should. ( all but a clicking sound left so i guess my dsp needs the same treatment) thanks
no build with a fix thats just wierd, there are so many clever rom/kernel builders in here
guess we cant do nothing but hope for a fix then
thanks for testing and letting us know

Related

[Q] USB DAC support

I recently purchased a USB DAC/amplifier combo to use with my high end IEMs on the go, as well as my sennheiser HD650s at home. They sound/work great with my nexus 7 (cyanogen mod 4.3) with just the stock kernel (faux's kernel works also)
However, i cannot find a kernel for my trust old Gnex (gonna use as a mobile digital audio soruce, the amp dac/amp is tiiiiiinnny but the tablet is so big its just not portable, and my Moto X doesnt support USB audio and has no custom kernels, for the first time I am wishing i had gotten an s4 as even the stock kernel supports USB audio.
So far i have tried: Faux123,
Franco.Kernel,
Glados 2.3 (downgraded to 4.2.2 just to try, and even after loading the modules, nothing..)
and finally stock CM.
None of these even came close to seeming it was registering at the least, much less delivering auditory bliss.
If i need to compile my own kernel and just add in USB audio support, I would love to learn,
ideally though, I would just love to find a kernel that meets my need, rather than having to create one.
Thanks in advance,
J.P.
First off, HD650s rock. Nice choice. Also what DAC/amp?
Anyways.
I somehow recall something about how the kernel version the GNex is on (as opposed to the 3.4 kernels a Nexus 7 totes) does not have any USB audio support. I might be wrong.
Android just rarely caters to the audiophiles, sadly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I add my question!
Me too try to use my Gnex with the Fiio E18, an USB DAC/AMP that seems to work with many Android device.
When I try to connect the DAC, it seems to be recognized (a red led becomes pink, wich means that the DAC is "connected" somehow), but no sound comes out.
So the question is: the problem is software or is also from the Gnex hardware?
On a thread on head-fi, James (a Fiio employee) says that is a hardware limitation...
But I know that the Gnex can work with pendrive and an OTG cable (I've got mine and it works!), so on the hardware side is this not enough?
And new Android KK 4.4: how it is regarding USB Audio?

MHL / USB Audio dock on AOSP

I've hunted high and Low and have never found a direct answer. I've been thinking of finally ditching Touchwiz for my note 3 as I did on my note 10.1. However, I need MHL for my in car audio/video link to function properly, so the headphone jack is out of the question. I know MHL works on the Google play edition Samsung phones, so I know it's not impossible.
Long story short, if anyone knows if any kitkat or lollipop aosp roms have working mhl support, speak up.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] Note 8.0 headphone sound isn't loud enough

First post on the forum. Glad to have found you guys!
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet, U.S. version with no phone capabilities, model GT-N5110. It's now running KitKat, version 4.4.2, regular unmodded firmware (took a full three-key reset and firmware wipe to finally get it to upgrade from 4.2.2 to 4.4.2 -- what a pain in the butt -- but it's working well now). I got it as a gift and didn't use it for quite a while, so I never had a chance to test the headphone volume until now. The external speakers seem the same as before the 4.4.2 upgrade, so I don't think the upgrade caused the problem. Even at highest volume ("15"), it is not very loud at all through headphones. I can't hear movie dialog too well, and music doesn't get very loud. My headphones (Etymotics ER-4P earbuds) are several years old, but I know that they can and do handle higher sound output, because my old Cowon MP3 player can play music much more loudly on them than the Note 8.0 does.
Is there a way to tweak the Note so that it will raise the max volume that it outputs to the headphones? I would rather not put an entirely different firmware on it, or root it, just to get more sound out of it. Hopefully there is a more simple way? Thanks!
I'm bumping this, as there hasn't been a reply yet. Thanks!
Your going to need to root. I root many of my devices, not all, and just got around to rooting my note 8 a few weeks ago and am running jazz's ROM (which is on this forum). The ROM runs awesome and my note 8 is like a new device. Included in his ROM is a sound app that has the exact functionality you are looking for. I plug my note 8 into my day via a headphone cable and the app provides an amazing difference.

USB Audio doesn't work?

I just bought a Fiio K1 USB dac/amp to use with my laptop, but I also read that it works with some smartphones via an OTG cable. So I hooked it up to my S6 with my OTG cable and it didn't work. Sometimes I would hear a weird static noise, but otherwise my music wouldn't come through any output while the K1 was plugged in. I then tried my same OTG cable and K1 with a friend's Verizon S6 and it worked flawlessly. Both of our phones are running Android 5.1.1. What's going on? Did Sprint butcher USB audio on the S6 with their custom ROM? I'm really disappointed.
If anyone has gotten USB dacs to work with their Sprint S6, was there anything special you had to do first?
first it was hml now this. I'll try it later tonight
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
thank you for the usb audio idea. I tried it on my phone, my usb dac works fine on the sprint s6. im using hacker kernel, perhaps that makes the difference?
BTW, I had to update the firmware of my usb dac so that it can work with android phones.
wenjinlover said:
thank you for the usb audio idea. I tried it on my phone, my usb dac works fine on the sprint s6. im using hacker kernel, perhaps that makes the difference?
BTW, I had to update the firmware of my usb dac so that it can work with android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume it works for you because you are running a different kernel. I can't know for sure though until someone other people can chime in. Thanks. I would go a custom kernel route but I got out of the rooting/modding scene a while ago.
After upgrading to Marshmallow, this still doesn't work.
Have you used OTG Troubleshooter to see if your OTG is working correctly? Also try using Onkyo HF player and USB Audio Player Pro. A lot of phones that don't natively support USB audio will work through those apps.
Getting the same here... A bit of occasional "digital static" (like old cell phones near a speaker) when I start a track, but that's about it. Often the progress indicator won't even start on a track. However, "Neutron Audio" does show that there's specifically a Fiio K1 connected, and Android (7.1.1 CM14.1 based on hsbadr's Note4 builds) did prompt me to allow Neutron access to this audio device.

Very disappointed with audio. What are my options

Hey guys.
I have a Pixel 2 XL and have had it for about 6 months now.
Overall I am pretty disappointed with the audio out of the phone. I am using my Ultimate Ears TF10 through a Dragonfly Black and it sounds much worse than just the TF10s through my iPhone 6s (not using the dragonfly)
I can see a few options here and seeking some feedback.
1. Root the phone (I have read on here some custom ROMs will give better gains over USB C.
2. Get a pair of Bluetooth headphones (I don't really want to do this since I already have a good set of IEMs. Also are there any restrictions with Bluetooth such as compression etc.
3. Sell the phone and go get an LG v30 with its quad DAC.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the phone but the audio is very disappointing and I spend a few hours commuting today so it's a real let down.
Let me know what everyone thinks
Thanks guys
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Root using Magisk and install the following modules.
Viper4Android FX Materialized
Ainur Sauron
Audio Compatibility Patch
Audio Modification Library
Those four modules should improve the sound quality.
Thorpef101 said:
Hey guys.
I have a Pixel 2 XL and have had it for about 6 months now.
Overall I am pretty disappointed with the audio out of the phone. I am using my Ultimate Ears TF10 through a Dragonfly Black and it sounds much worse than just the TF10s through my iPhone 6s (not using the dragonfly)
I can see a few options here and seeking some feedback.
1. Root the phone (I have read on here some custom ROMs will give better gains over USB C.
2. Get a pair of Bluetooth headphones (I don't really want to do this since I already have a good set of IEMs. Also are there any restrictions with Bluetooth such as compression etc.
3. Sell the phone and go get an LG v30 with its quad DAC.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the phone but the audio is very disappointing and I spend a few hours commuting today so it's a real let down.
Let me know what everyone thinks
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/themes/pixel-2-usb-audio-control-t3704024/page16
I am surprised you are having such a bad expierience.
The USB only audio (no headset jack) advantage is that you can use better DAC/Amps than on a regular smartphone.
My measurements of the various ones out there all show pretty decent specs (with some exceptions).
The stock Google dongle is excellent (it's a custom Realtec chip), I am testing the new one this weekend. Sure, using my gain control app will get you a bit cleaner tracing but whether that's audible or not, hard to say.
Apt X bluetooth with the Mee BT adapter is also very good.
I wonder if perhaps your transducer(s) in the headphone/IEM aren't working properly. That happened to me a couple of years ago with my SE846 and it drove me nuts until I figured it out.
Another thing to check: What source are you listening to? Your own rips (and what player), Spotify, G music etc? Let me know and we can go from there, as the problems vary between each one. Do you use the on board equalizer or any equalizer? If so what gains, bands?
I just tested the new dongle and re evaluated the USB audio in Pie - the implementation is substantially better and the gains are now properly optimized.
So, I don't think your issue is a Dac dongle problem, unless it is defective.
Thanks for the help so far guys.
Source is Spotify 320 kbps.
I don't think it's the headphones as it sounds fine when I plug back into my iPhone.
I might do some more testing this afternoon when I get home as my wife has the same phone.
I also have a pair of MEE X7 Bluetooth earphones and I am more impressed with these via Bluetooth (yes they are boomy but I can tell that the Bluetooth dac isn't being restricted)
I'll fill in once I have tested on my wife's phone tonight
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Edit: NVM. I see someone else suggested viper
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Root using Magisk and install the following modules.
Viper4Android FX Materialized
Ainur Sauron
Audio Compatibility Patch
Audio Modification Library
Those four modules should improve the sound quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do these work on Pie?
pizza_pablo said:
Do these work on Pie?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering I'm on Android 9 as we speak, yes.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Considering I'm on Android 9 as we speak, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't tell you were running the Pie.
Thanks!
pizza_pablo said:
I couldn't tell you were running the Pie.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't exactly advertise it. ?
I'm running those same audio mods and have no complaints with sound... Are you sure you have everything enabled in magisk property? Is V4A showing "processing =yes" when you are playing music?
My P2XL is not rooted and on Pie.
The only thing I've really missed, so far, is Dolby Atmos.
Since it's not available for Pie, I've been holding off rooting.
While searching for an audio booster, I found this app. Believe it, or not, it sounds almost as good as Dolby Atmos. I'm still tweaking it.

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