Compatible USB DAC/Amp? - Moto Z Play Questions & Answers

Hi, I've found that the headphone output of this phone, while good for some headphones, has too much noise for sensitive IEMs and not enough power for some less efficient headphones, so I'm looking into a portable DAC/Amp. I tried this one with a USB-C adapter:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJSEAZ4
But it didn't work. I know the USB-C adapter works, as I've used it with a thumb drive, and I know the DAC works on other Android devices, but apparently compatibility isn't universal. So has anyone successfully tried a portable DAC with this phone?

My Fiio Q1 works fine with the phone.

uberano26 said:
My Fiio Q1 works fine with the phone.
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Thanks, that's good to hear. I was considering one of Fiio's products

I tried this one: http://hifimediy.com/android-dac
Works very well together with an USB B to C converter that supports USB OTG and drove even my good old 600 Ohm AKG K 141 loud enough!
It has a Sabre DAC. Bought it out of concern that the sound of the phone might not be good enough. But it is - at least with low impedance headphones like my Ultimate Ears UE 10 TF I don't find a difference to the 180 $ sony walkman of my GF.
(Small remark: Used a Samsung USB B to C converter first. This one, while doing very well on the PC and with ADB and also with the charger did not work as OTG adaptor.)

noisyriver said:
I tried this one: http://hifimediy.com/android-dac
Works very well together with an USB B to C converter that supports USB OTG and drove even my good old 600 Ohm AKG K 141 loud enough!
It has a Sabre DAC. Bought it out of concern that the sound of the phone might not be good enough. But it is - at least with low impedance headphones like my Ultimate Ears UE 10 TF I don't find a difference to the 180 $ sony walkman of my GF.
(Small remark: Used a Samsung USB B to C converter first. This one, while doing very well on the PC and with ADB and also with the charger did not work as OTG adaptor.)
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Weird, that's the exact one I tried that didn't work. Maybe I needed a different USB-C OTG adapter

thisisjason said:
Weird, that's the exact one I tried that didn't work. Maybe I needed a different USB-C OTG adapter
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For sure. It works for me without problems - plug and play.
I use this adaptor: http://www.delock.com/produkte/G_65678/merkmale.html
Side note: While I could use the Samsung adaptor for charging (but not for OTG devices) this one works well for OTG - but not for charging.
Edit: The price for te DAC on the amazon side is way higher than if you buy directly from the Hifimediy website.
And you should also note, that this DAC while it's pretty good for higher impedance phones did not work well with my low (32 ohm) impedance IEM's. But for those I found no need to use the DAC.

I ended up with a Fiio E18, I like the fact that it has playback control, plus B&H has it on sale right now. It doesn't seem to work with Poweramp, but it works perfectly with USB Audio Player PRO.

thisisjason said:
I ended up with a Fiio E18, I like the fact that it has playback control, plus B&H has it on sale right now. It doesn't seem to work with Poweramp, but it works perfectly with USB Audio Player PRO.
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Will USB Audio Player read OTG storage?
Most file explorers do not see mnt/media_rw/0EB0-0FF. Do any players?

Quick, and hopefully not too stupid, question, do I need to root the phone to get the DAC working with Google Play Music?

ahfpired said:
Quick, and hopefully not too stupid, question, do I need to root the phone to get the DAC working with Google Play Music?
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Click to collapse
Gpm will not pcm to a dac.
Need USBAPP
NO ROOT

Related

[Q] USB Audio Out?

Can anyone who owns the G3 confirm that USB Audio Out (over an OTG cable) works through a DAC? I can't seem to find any information that confirms or discounts that this works.
Thanks!
PearcePowers said:
Can anyone who owns the G3 confirm that USB Audio Out (over an OTG cable) works through a DAC? I can't seem to find any information that confirms or discounts that this works.
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
It does work with my Fiio E17. Just tried it today after almost buying an app that was supposed to do so. My only complaint is that the DAC seems to be charging while connected to the G3.
jesadac said:
It does work with my Fiio E17. Just tried it today after almost buying an app that was supposed to do so.
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Thanks, Jesadac! That's great news... I was hoping this was the case, as I believe the G2 also supported it.
I assume you're referring to the USB Audio Player Pro app? It truly doesn't replace the native ability to have a clean digital audio out signal for all sounds out of the phone.
I have the Fiio E18 and a friend has the VZW G3. We just tested the combo and it seems to work fine.
PearcePowers said:
Can anyone who owns the G3 confirm that USB Audio Out (over an OTG cable) works through a DAC? I can't seem to find any information that confirms or discounts that this works.
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
Just bought the new Cayin C5 DAC/Amp. My TMo LG G3 does not put audio out though the amp when connected via OTG. It registers it's connected I'm guessing because all audio is no longer played through the phone. Plugged into my friends Note 4 and it worked right away. Is this is G3 problem? We're both on Lollipop.
I know this is an old thread... but do I still need USB Audio Player Pro to get USB DAC to work? I thought Android 5.0+ brings USB audio, and right now my Beyerdynamic A100 doesn't work by "simply" plugging it in... however I do get about half second of audio and quits.
I go on LG G3 with app USB Audio Player PRO and HibyMusic app, my DAC is Hegel HD2 and DragonFly RED. Logitech USB headphones works too. with China OTG cable.
I can confirm Spotify and youtube doesn't play audio through usb (android 5.1.1), and it still mutes integrated speaker when connected:silly:. Must have usb-player i guess.

external DAC / FiiO K1

really want to get an external DAC like the FiiO K1 but heard even with OTG Storage enabled One Plus Phones dont play well with these.
I am also looking at using the Razer Phone Dac adapter, as that sounded brilliant. and costs a bit less....
bump, looking to get one of these as well. Anyone?
mikey_sk said:
really want to get an external DAC like the FiiO K1 but heard even with OTG Storage enabled One Plus Phones dont play well with these.
I am also looking at using the Razer Phone Dac adapter, as that sounded brilliant. and costs a bit less....
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I got the FiiO Q1 it works well with OTG and hibby music player

USB C + 3.5mm Cable?

I bought this "3 in 1 USB C Aux Adapter" cable to use in my car but it doesn't seem to work right with my car for some reason.
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the USB C side it only outputs the left channel
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the 3.5mm w/ an adapter it only outputs the right channel
With my iPod Classic plugged into the 3.5mm side it seems to output both L and R channels
Anyone know of a similar type cable that definitely works with the Pixel 3? I don't really want to have to use an adapter.
::EDIT::
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually wired up the aux cable incorrectly in my car. All is well and the cable works properly.
ramdyc said:
I bought this "3 in 1 USB C Aux Adapter" cable to use in my car but it doesn't seem to work right with my car for some reason.
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the USB C side it only outputs the left channel
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the 3.5mm w/ an adapter it only outputs the right channel
With my iPod Classic plugged into the 3.5mm side it seems to output both L and R channels
Anyone know of a similar type cable that definitely works with the Pixel 3? I don't really want to have to use an adapter.
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Let me preface...I'm definitely not an expert in the whole audio conversion area. I did start doing some light research a while back regarding USB-C --> 3.5mm adapters because I noticed that the dongle provided with the Pixel 3 caused sound quality issues with my 3.5mm Bose buds. I fly on airplanes a lot and noticed the sound output volume is significantly less with the dongle and 3.5mm headphones than using the USB-C Pixel buds. From what I've been able to gather is that the digital audio converter (DAC) chip built into most of these dongles is garbage or nonexistent.
Regarding the 2-in-1 adapter / chargers...I was also looking to buy something where I could listen to my 3.5mm buds and charge my phone at the same time BUT I stumbled across some article that basically said none of those work. If I remember correctly it had something to do with the phone itself, I think it was software related?? Maybe do some searching on this but I remember reading enough stuff where it sounded like a scammy product line so I didn't purchase. Maybe this has something to do with your L vs R channel issue??
Back to the regular dongle converter...you know how things are on Amazon sometimes, 3rd party vendors can be shady and say something is higher quality when it's really not which has made me hesitant to pull the trigger on a slightly more expensive dongle. That said, I finally purchased one today that is definitely a bit more expensive than others but it seems legit and I've found reviews in other forums referencing it. Here the link: https://www.adv-sound.com/products/accessport-lite (it can also be found on Amazon).
It should arrive in a few days so I can report back but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that audio output volume / quality isn't lost like it is with the standard dongle.
Alright, the Accessport-Lite (APL) converter arrived today. Here's what I think...regular 3.5mm headphones (I'm using Bose buds) into APL into device are definitely higher quality sound than using the converter that came in box with Pixel. You can hear more background noise, overall it's more crisp and max volume is a little bit louder, not as loud as I was hoping for however but an improvement that will make a difference when flying.
Another option...I picked up a 3.5mm splitter months ago so two people could listen at the same time. I noticed that 3.5mm headphones into splitter into Pixel box converter into device actually has higher max volume than simply headphones into Pixel box converter. Go figure. Splitters are really cheap at electronic stores. Although, I would recommend buying one from the audio equipment section as opposed to the phone section. They really upcharge you for the same exact thing that's supposed to be "specially made for a phone" which is garbage.
I also tried 3.5mm headphones into splitter into APL converter, sound quality wasn't noticably better than just APL. If anything some of the crispness seemed less.
Pixel Buds straight into device remain the loudest option. However, they do not cancel or shut out loud background noise like when flying so peak volume means nothing.
Long story short...I'm decently satisfied with the APL converter. Didn't blow me away but you can tell it's quality made and every but counts when trying to overcome loud airplane noise.
Carppopotamus said:
Maybe this has something to do with your L vs R channel issue??
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Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Carppopotamus said:
Long story short...I'm decently satisfied with the APL converter. Didn't blow me away but you can tell it's quality made and every but counts when trying to overcome loud airplane noise.
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Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.
ramdyc said:
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.
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I haven't tried the Apple one
ramdyc said:
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for half a year. I like it: the Google adapter was too loud on lowest volume, and had an issue with echo in calls when using earbuds with a mic (Shure SE215). The Apple fixes all these issues and is smaller and lighter.

USB C audio

Just wanted to let everyone know that the HTC usonic headphones, and the htc dongle both work on these phones without modification (the sound canceling function of the heaphones does not work though). These headphones sound great with this phone. I searched google and didn't find anything. Just hoping to help if anyone is looking for wired headphones. these are great and have lasted years using every day and arent too expensive.
I also used my Sennheiser HD1s connected via a Cable Matters USB-C to Micro USB cable, works really well and sounds great to me!

Question USB C to 3.5mm Headphone and Charger Adapter that works on Pixel 6 Pro

Has anyone managed to find a USB C to 3.5mm Headphone and Charger Adapter 2in1 for the Pixel 6 Pro. The few I have tried so far only at best will work the audio port but none will charge. Hoping to find one that does both for when driving to be able to charge and listen to music with the 3,5 mm headphone attached to my car radio input. Adapters similar to the attached images that work would be ideal.
Thanks
Unfortunately, the only ones I've seen that reputably work for Power Delivery phones are effectively "hubs", like Anker USB C Hub, PowerExpand 11-in-1 USB C Hub Adapter, with [email protected] HDMI and DP, 100W Power Delivery, USB-C and 3 USB-A Data Ports, 1 Gbps Ethernet, 3.5mm Audio, microSD and SD Card Reader (sold out on Anker's site PowerExpand 11-in-1 USB-C PD Hub). They make other hubs, but I don't see any others of theirs that have a 3.5mm headphone port.
I too, wouldn't mind a more compact and cheaper solution, but I no longer really care about 3.5mm headphone jacks and would be happy with a similar adapter with two USB-C ports - one for USB-C headphones and the other for charging. I may have seen some like that too but not sure as to their reputation, and overall it's not that important to me.
Might be a logic glitch where it assumes that having a usb "device" plugged in means that the phone needs to supply the power rather than receive it.
Does your car radio really not have bluetooth?
And since you are in a car, how about a Qi charger pad?
you would need
Fladnag99 said:
Has anyone managed to find a USB C to 3.5mm Headphone and Charger Adapter 2in1 for the Pixel 6 Pro. The few I have tried so far only at best will work the audio port but none will charge. Hoping to find one that does both for when driving to be able to charge and listen to music with the 3,5 mm headphone attached to my car radio input. Adapters similar to the attached images that work would be ideal.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
just search usb c to audio charger
and make sure its compatible with a samsung device as they require a DAC in the usb like the google does
96carboard said:
Might be a logic glitch where it assumes that having a usb "device" plugged in means that the phone needs to supply the power rather than receive it.
Does your car radio really not have bluetooth?
And since you are in a car, how about a Qi charger pad?
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Click to collapse
Unfortunaetly it doesnt have bluetooth and since I use the phone for navigation while driveing the Qi charger woldnt really serve a purpose.
Is there a difference between the technology in a pixel 4a5g and the Pixel 6 pro. A device like the first picture I showed works fine in the pixel 4a5g but only does audio and no charging for the Pixel 6 pro
Fladnag99 said:
Is there a difference between the technology in a pixel 4a5g and the Pixel 6 pro. A device like the first picture I showed works fine in the pixel 4a5g but only does audio and no charging for the Pixel 6 pro
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Jup, it's called Tensor.
Fladnag99 said:
Unfortunaetly it doesnt have bluetooth and since I use the phone for navigation while driveing the Qi charger woldnt really serve a purpose.
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I use a magnetic Qi charger on my dashboard. It works great and provide plenty of power to charge under heavy use. Not as elegant as a proper split USB adapter, but should at least work if you can't find one.
96carboard said:
Might be a logic glitch where it assumes that having a usb "device" plugged in means that the phone needs to supply the power rather than receive it.
Does your car radio really not have bluetooth?
And since you are in a car, how about a Qi charger pad?
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Click to collapse
Why would he want to use Bluetooth? There's still reason not to. Not many car stereos support the higher quality Bluetooth streaming codecs. Not even AAC, I know mine doesn't. SBC is very unusable.
prohibido_por_la_ley said:
Why would he want to use Bluetooth? There's still reason not to. Not many car stereos support the higher quality Bluetooth streaming codecs. Not even AAC, I know mine doesn't. SBC is very unusable.
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Can't wait to find a car with audiophile speakers to make a difference
Izy said:
Can't wait to find a car with audiophile speakers to make a difference
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Click to collapse
I drive a Toyota Corolla it doesn't have audiophile speakers and I can tell the difference it is night and day even when streaming Amazon music although it's less of a difference there but if you're listening to compressed music on YouTube music there is a difference maybe you should go get your hearing checked
i mean youtube music starts at 48kbps aac to 256kbps
amazon songs start at up to 867kbps and over 3k kbps peak for premium
unironically searched it up someone made a patch that enables SBC to go up to its maximum bitrate of 512kb
stereo that makes it onpar/better with aptx and works sending to older devices like car stereos
he even pushed it to google 2 years ago buts its still processing
Android Patch Brings Bluetooth SBC Codec Audio Quality on-par with aptX - CNX Software
Android patch improves Bluetooth SBC codec audio quality on all existing devices, allegedly making it as good as the high quality aptX HD codec
www.cnx-software.com
https://android-review.googlesource.com/c/platform/packages/apps/Bluetooth/+/759258/1
its in custom roms like RR etc shame its not implemented in stock still
You should look into a Bluetooth DAC. Yes it's another thing to charge but for me it's the best of both worlds, quality wired sound yet not tethered to the phone or whatever device. I have a FiiO BTR3K. It's super small, I connect it to a belt loop, and it's got 10 hours of battery life. And yes, you could wire charge your phone while listening.
FiiO BTR3K Hi-Res Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver/Headphone Amp
Amazon.com
Izy said:
i mean youtube music starts at 48kbps aac to 256kbps
amazon songs start at up to 867kbps and over 3k kbps peak for premium
unironically searched it up someone made a patch that enables SBC to go up to its maximum bitrate of 512kb
stereo that makes it onpar/better with aptx and works sending to older devices like car stereos
he even pushed it to google 2 years ago buts its still processing
Android Patch Brings Bluetooth SBC Codec Audio Quality on-par with aptX - CNX Software
Android patch improves Bluetooth SBC codec audio quality on all existing devices, allegedly making it as good as the high quality aptX HD codec
www.cnx-software.com
https://android-review.googlesource.com/c/platform/packages/apps/Bluetooth/+/759258/1
its in custom roms like RR etc shame its not implemented in stock still
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Click to collapse
I feel like there will still be some degradation in the signal because it is still transcoding a lossy codec to another lossy codec. It's something I'll try when I'm connected to my home stereo.
Fladnag99 said:
Has anyone managed to find a USB C to 3.5mm Headphone and Charger Adapter 2in1 for the Pixel 6 Pro. The few I have tried so far only at best will work the audio port but none will charge. Hoping to find one that does both for when driving to be able to charge and listen to music with the 3,5 mm headphone attached to my car radio input. Adapters similar to the attached images that work would be ideal.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this and it works great.
Amazon.com
FoneWatcher said:
I use this and it works great.
Amazon.com
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Are you saying this worked great for the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's?
Anyone who tells you they can tell the difference between bluetooth and {insert whateverthefeckhere} when competing with engine, road, and wind noise is absolutely full of sh**. Your ears are not that sensitive.
Fladnag99 said:
since I use the phone for navigation while driveing the Qi charger woldnt really serve a purpose
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Click to collapse
I don't understand this logic. The phone doesn't turn off when you use Qi. It still works. If its about how the phone is mounted, either buy a holder with a Qi pad in it, or stick a Qi pad at the back of the holder.
96carboard said:
Anyone who tells you they can tell the difference between bluetooth and {insert whateverthefeckhere} when competing with engine, road, and wind noise is absolutely full of sh**. Your ears are not that sensitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go get your hearing checked then because there is a difference. It's less of a difference when using tidal or Amazon music but when using YouTube music or Spotify etc it's staggering.
prohibido_por_la_ley said:
Go get your hearing checked then because there is a difference. It's less of a difference when using tidal or Amazon music but when using YouTube music or Spotify etc it's staggering.
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Click to collapse
My hearing is perfect. Yours is not as acute as you believe it to be.

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