Getting USB Audio Support for external DACs - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

Hi -
I know that Android these days has relatively decent USB audio support, when connecting an external DAC.
On the Google Pixel I'm connecting a Fiio Q1 external DAC and sometimes it skips in songs, as if it's a scratched CD, when playing through Spotify. I know there is an app (USB Audio Player Pro) which will provide proper support for playing audio through an external DAC, but only if you use that app as the player. So will not work when streaming from services such as Spotify.
I believe this is mainly due to sample rate conversion, which apparently Android does by default, instead of matching the actual sample rate (e.g. 44.1 KHz CD quality will get upsampled to 48 KHz, an unnecessary step).
Is there a way to get better support, perhaps through modding the stock ROM, or installing a custom ROM? Is this a kernel issue? Or a ROM issue?
Thanks.

Related

Better Audio Output?

So - I am highly invested in Google music due to the convenience, and I just put a high quality audio system in my 2007 Acura MDX.
I really can't stand apple but, their ipod integration is just everywhere - and I hate it. When I hear music from an ipod I know its a digital connection & it sounds fantastic - just like a cd - its digital direct audio.
Unfortunately, when you stream audio through your headphone jack - its an analog system and so your audio quality is greatly degraded.
Is there ANYTHING at all out there that I can use to get the google music from my Phone to my car system to sound like an ipod?
EyeAndroid said:
So - I am highly invested in Google music due to the convenience, and I just put a high quality audio system in my 2007 Acura MDX.
I really can't stand apple but, their ipod integration is just everywhere - and I hate it. When I hear music from an ipod I know its a digital connection & it sounds fantastic - just like a cd - its digital direct audio.
Unfortunately, when you stream audio through your headphone jack - its an analog system and so your audio quality is greatly degraded.
Is there ANYTHING at all out there that I can use to get the google music from my Phone to my car system to sound like an ipod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you so invested in Google Music? Google Music is your first culprit. Have you considered Neutron player? It offers streaming audio and processes the audio at 32/64 bits. It sounds like a blanket have been lifted from my speakers when comparing the sound to google music. It offers much more depth and clarity. If you don't like the UI of it, you can try Power Amp( its still an improvement of Google Music.) Also, You should also check out Ac!d Sound Mod. It really helps to clean up the signal and results in a more natural, less distorted sound. What format is your music in? I have completely retired from the MP3 world and switched to Flac. I don't know if you're familiar with the format, but its Lossless audio, so theres no audio degradation from the original recording. It takes up more space, so its recommended you get a 32 or 64GB Micro SD card, but the difference can be heard immediately. I honestly dont know how I ever listened to MP3 for so long. Even at 320Kbps theres a big difference.
Heres a link to Ac!d Sound Mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2002197
EyeAndroid said:
So - I am highly invested in Google music due to the convenience, and I just put a high quality audio system in my 2007 Acura MDX.
I really can't stand apple but, their ipod integration is just everywhere - and I hate it. When I hear music from an ipod I know its a digital connection & it sounds fantastic - just like a cd - its digital direct audio.
Unfortunately, when you stream audio through your headphone jack - its an analog system and so your audio quality is greatly degraded.
Is there ANYTHING at all out there that I can use to get the google music from my Phone to my car system to sound like an ipod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I would recommend a bluetooth capable stereo for your car. I have one in my car, and when my car starts up, Google music automatically starts playing. It displays Artist, Track, and Album info etc to the head unit in my car (which is great), and I can skip tracks from the stereo without even removing the phone from my pocket.
Once I arrive at my destination, the music is automatically paused. The quality is much better than what come out of the audio output on my phone...my Galaxy Nexus has a cheap DAC, so streaming over bluetooth bypasses the DAC and sends the digital stream to your car stereo's DAC instead....
bekyndnunwind said:
Well, I would recommend a bluetooth capable stereo for your car. I have one in my car, and when my car starts up, Google music automatically starts playing. It displays Artist, Track, and Album info etc to the head unit in my car (which is great), and I can skip tracks from the stereo without even removing the phone from my pocket.
Once I arrive at my destination, the music is automatically paused. The quality is much better than what come out of the audio output on my phone...my Galaxy Nexus has a cheap DAC, so streaming over bluetooth bypasses the DAC and sends the digital stream to your car stereo's DAC instead....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried bluetooth audio once and I wasn't impressed, it had less punch, less bass, less everything. Your saying it was better for you?
For me - It may have been a cheap unit, but still bluetooth is bluetooth right?
Has anyone tried an HDMI Digital audio out?
mattedwards2686 said:
Why are you so invested in Google Music? Google Music is your first culprit. Have you considered Neutron player? It offers streaming audio and processes the audio at 32/64 bits. It sounds like a blanket have been lifted from my speakers when comparing the sound to google music. It offers much more depth and clarity. If you don't like the UI of it, you can try Power Amp( its still an improvement of Google Music.) Also, You should also check out Ac!d Sound Mod. It really helps to clean up the signal and results in a more natural, less distorted sound. What format is your music in? I have completely retired from the MP3 world and switched to Flac. I don't know if you're familiar with the format, but its Lossless audio, so theres no audio degradation from the original recording. It takes up more space, so its recommended you get a 32 or 64GB Micro SD card, but the difference can be heard immediately. I honestly dont know how I ever listened to MP3 for so long. Even at 320Kbps theres a big difference.
Heres a link to Ac!d Sound Mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2002197
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I just tried Neutron player and it is HIDEOUS. I'd really like to keep google music as my primary music player because of the lockscreen integration and the UI & widgets are gorgeous.
Right now I'm starting with the basics, Im downloading an album in FLAC right now, its actually not as bad as I thought, only about double the space. Google music album was about 150 mbs, FLAC was 350 mbs. I thought it was gonna be a gig or 2 & that was gonna be a problem.
Acid is just a kernel & more of an internal software mod right? I could still use google music and see the improvements right?
EyeAndroid said:
Yea I just tried Neutron player and it is HIDEOUS. I'd really like to keep google music as my primary music player because of the lockscreen integration and the UI & widgets are gorgeous.
Right now I'm starting with the basics, Im downloading an album in FLAC right now, its actually not as bad as I thought, only about double the space. Google music album was about 150 mbs, FLAC was 350 mbs. I thought it was gonna be a gig or 2 & that was gonna be a problem.
Acid is just a kernel & more of an internal software mod right? I could still use google music and see the improvements right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Acid Sound mod is more of an internal software mod. You can use it with any music player( you just have to be rooted) .Flash V5. Its just a zip file you can flash in TWRP or CWM. Have you tried Poweramp? It has a much better GUI,direct gain controls( gets rid of high level distortion), and a better sound overall. The 10-band EQ in it( compared to Googles 5 band) is also much more useful than google. It comes with themes, lock screens, and widgets that are all customizable. Let me know what you think of Flac.. You're right, the size isnt too bad and the gains are just amazing. Also, have you applied any EQ? I give my Low end a 4-5db boost at 31hz, 2db boost at 62hz, and 1-2db boost at 8k and 16k in my car, to get the best sound out of the kick and fill the mix.
Screenshots of GUI located here:
http://powerampapp.com/features/
mattedwards2686 said:
Acid Sound mod is more of an internal software mod. You can use it with any music player( you just have to be rooted) .Flash V5. Its just a zip file you can flash in TWRP or CWM. Have you tried Poweramp? It has a much better GUI,direct gain controls( gets rid of high level distortion), and a better sound overall. The 10-band EQ in it( compared to Googles 5 band) is also much more useful than google. It comes with themes, lock screens, and widgets that are all customizable. Let me know what you think of Flac.. You're right, the size isnt too bad and the gains are just amazing.
Screenshots of GUI located here:
http://powerampapp.com/features/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep poweramp looks great. Gonna try that and im gonna flash acid and see how it goes with my new flac file.
And how about that HDMI digital audio out?
EyeAndroid said:
I tried bluetooth audio once and I wasn't impressed, it had less punch, less bass, less everything. Your saying it was better for you?
For me - It may have been a cheap unit, but still bluetooth is bluetooth right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I notice a HUGE improvement using Bluetooth audio over using the line-in on my stereo. But like I said, my phone has a cheap DAC so that is where my limitation lies...
I have not noticed any less punch over Bluetooth, but I do run a custom rom (AOKP) and I believe they have tweaked the Bluetooth audio AVRCPso that it streams at a higher quality than is default on Android.
At first I would load FLAC files onto my phone directly, but when I did a comparison to the 320 MP3s that Google converts to when you upload something to Google Music I could not tell a difference. When I did the comparison my car was turned off sitting in the driveway. Since I couldn't hear any differences in that quiet setting, I knew that i certainly would not be able to tell a difference while I was driving and there was noise pollution.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE bluetooth audio
For acid do I have to physically remove dsp manager with titanium?
bekyndnunwind said:
I notice a HUGE improvement using Bluetooth audio over using the line-in on my stereo. But like I said, my phone has a cheap DAC so that is where my limitation lies...
I have not noticed any less punch over Bluetooth, but I do run a custom rom (AOKP) and I believe they have tweaked the Bluetooth audio AVRCPso that it streams at a higher quality than is default on Android.
At first I would load FLAC files onto my phone directly, but when I did a comparison to the 320 MP3s that Google converts to when you upload something to Google Music I could not tell a difference. When I did the comparison my car was turned off sitting in the driveway. Since I couldn't hear any differences in that quiet setting, I knew that i certainly would not be able to tell a difference while I was driving and there was noise pollution.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE bluetooth audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your bluetooth audio is built in, or its aftermarket? If so what is it?
EyeAndroid said:
Your bluetooth audio is built in, or its aftermarket? If so what is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just the factory radio that came in my Mazda 3. I see lots of aftermarket radios with it, but I'm guessing you prob don't want to upgrade your deck if you don't have to...
EyeAndroid said:
I tried bluetooth audio once and I wasn't impressed, it had less punch, less bass, less everything. Your saying it was better for you?
For me - It may have been a cheap unit, but still bluetooth is bluetooth right?
Has anyone tried an HDMI Digital audio out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive read great reviews about the FiiO E7, but they're almost 100.00 dollars. Im sure the gain is nice, but your battery will drain faster, because your powering an external unit with your phone battery.
---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------
EyeAndroid said:
For acid do I have to physically remove dsp manager with titanium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt have to remove anything for it to work. just change your EQ settings in sound settings
This has been a nuisance for me ass well. I use Google Music because I have all my music using the cloud. Are you able to set up power amp to play music from there and not stored internally? I was looking into buying an aftermarket deck. Pioneer (deh 6500bt). btw
Sent from my SGH-T999
chrisram88 said:
This has been a nuisance for me ass well. I use Google Music because I have all my music using the cloud. Are you able to set up power amp to play music from there and not stored internally? I was looking into buying an aftermarket deck. Pioneer (deh 6500bt). btw
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO you would not regret that purchase at all!
chrisram88 said:
This has been a nuisance for me ass well. I use Google Music because I have all my music using the cloud. Are you able to set up power amp to play music from there and not stored internally? I was looking into buying an aftermarket deck. Pioneer (deh 6500bt). btw
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 6500BT is a good buy. When setting it up, read the manual on how to adjust the slope and hz of the three bands. It make a huge difference compared to just Raising and lowering the decibels. Poweramp does not support cloud storage playback...yet. Its still in the works from what i gathered; However, Neutron player is capable of streaming audio file formats like RAM, ASX, PLS and M3U( but I dont believe the pertains to Cloud storage). If cloud playback is really a deal breaker for you, I would consider downloading the modified Acid Beats V2 or Ac!d sound mod V5. This way you can apply a system wide EQ. I've noticed the S3( as well as the other Galaxy Models) Tend to drop off from 50-20hz. So I would compensate there and boost everything above 14Khz 1-2 Db. Hopefully, we'll see cloud integration on poweramp and Neutron soon...until then you could always get an external USB hard drive, format it exfat and use up to 1TB space in your car. You will have to buy a power inverter though, and connect the Ac adapter to it, because USB OTG wont power that big of a drive and just mount it in your car( On my Xmas list)lol. After you get your stereo, you can connect to the USB connector on the front of the stereo and have a permanent 1TB drive( sounds like Heaven) lol
mattedwards2686 said:
Ive read great reviews about the FiiO E7, but they're almost 100.00 dollars. Im sure the gain is nice, but your battery will drain faster, because your powering an external unit with your phone battery.
---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------
I didnt have to remove anything for it to work. just change your EQ settings in sound settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got a fiio e11 I just picked up yesterday and it sounds great but not CD quality, nowhere close.
I assume its because its an analog out with an amplifier. The e7 looks like it will do a digital out. Does the s3 support digital audio out?
Stink in iPod will work with digital audio out and the reviews say its really like CD quality.
Basically exactly what I'm looking for.
Now just to get the digital audio out, how can I?
EyeAndroid said:
I've got a fiio e11 I just picked up yesterday and it sounds great but not CD quality, nowhere close.
I assume its because its an analog out with an amplifier. The e7 looks like it will do a digital out. Does the s3 support digital audio out?
Stink in iPod will work with digital audio out and the reviews say its really like CD quality.
Basically exactly what I'm looking for.
Now just to get the digital audio out, how can I?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried connecting your USB Cable into your stereo, using the USB port on your head unit. Essentially, it will be doing the samet hing as connecting an ipod via usb. Ive seen this done with the S2 and S3. Ill attach a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxejnIiuyDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEpE0QZNKE
mattedwards2686 said:
Have you tried connecting your USB Cable into your stereo, using the USB port on your head unit. Essentially, it will be doing the samet hing as connecting an ipod via usb. Ive seen this done with the S2 and S3. Ill attach a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxejnIiuyDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEpE0QZNKE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a USB input but I guess I could get an adapter for my factory stereo. Haven't watched the video, but I like the sound of that, literally!! If I go USB direct in then in theorie, there is No degredation of audio quality because there is no analog out put or loss.
I can only imagine how good it would sound. Am I on the right track here?
EyeAndroid said:
I don't have a USB input but I guess I could get an adapter for my factory stereo. Haven't watched the video, but I like the sound of that, literally!! If I go USB direct in then in theorie, there is No degredation of audio quality because there is no analog out put or loss.
I can only imagine how good it would sound. Am I on the right track here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other advantage to this method is that you'd be charging all the while. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the USB method working between my S3 and new Kenwood BT HD radio unit. However, the Bluetooth function works great, and I can still charge through the USB port if desired.
mattedwards2686 said:
Have you tried connecting your USB Cable into your stereo, using the USB port on your head unit. Essentially, it will be doing the samet hing as connecting an ipod via usb. Ive seen this done with the S2 and S3. Ill attach a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxejnIiuyDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEpE0QZNKE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think this might be the best bet for me. The pioneer deck comes with both analog and usb so I'm going to try that first then go from there. Thanks guys.
Sent from my SGH-T999

Using external DAC with Note 3

Coming from the Note 2- I used it with my Tenor 7022 equipped external DAC/amp without issue.
The Note 3 will not output sound through this DAC, I have not changed anything.
Any ideas?
Maybe the player. Try neutron or usb audio player pro. There are demos for both.
Are you getting sound pushed to USB? Is it in format DAC can read? For example Note3 players do not support AC3, like Note2 could, I had to use VLC to watch a movie encoded with AC3. I'm not sure about PCM and DTS.
I have been using with fiio e18 with no problems, it works with any music player even stock.

Stuttering/Cracky MP3 playback. All other media plays well.

Hello all. I searched up and down the forum (and google). No one has the same issue.
Current setup:
Nexus 7 (2013)
Resurrection Remix v.6.0.0 (RR-O-v6.0.0-20180210-flo-Unofficial)
Elementalx N7 7.00 (all stock settings just turned on otg+charge)
Running through OTG --> USB hub and DAC in car
Issue: MP3's stutter, lag, crackle and pop during playback.
So far:
Tried Several music player apps (blacplayer, mediamonkey, musicolet, VLC, Kodi etc.
Tried 8+ different ROMS, same issue.
In VLC tried increasing the buffer, turning on/off all hardware acceleration settings. Same
Blue Ray rip .MP4 files play perfectly
YouTube plays perfectly
Spotify audio plays perfectly
Any experiences?
If you tried that many ROMS and players then the problem is with the DAC, unlikely, or the mp3s themselves. I'm also assuming you didn't have the same kernel installed on each ROM.
I did try a few older versions of elementalx. Do you think a DAC would have problems with a specific format? .MP4 files work, YouTube, and Spotify work well also. I will try connecting it directly to the amp without the DAC. Just wondering if it was software related. I can't fit it inside the dash attached to the headphone jack, which is why the DAC is necessary.
thanks for the response.
Unlikely the DAC since it's taking straight digital signals and doing it's own conversion. I'm leaning more toward the tablet not liking the mp3 decoding.
I haven't used a mp3 in many years so I don't know how the Nexus 7 actually responds to them. The fact that it handles mp4s okay also makes me lean that way.
fr4nk1yn said:
Unlikely the DAC since it's taking straight digital signals and doing it's own conversion. I'm leaning more toward the tablet not liking the mp3 decoding.
I haven't used a mp3 in many years so I don't know how the Nexus 7 actually responds to them. The fact that it handles mp4s okay also makes me lean that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fr4nk1yn, any hints as to something that would do decoding perhaps some software package? Those same MP3 files run great on my PC, Nexus 6P, Galaxy note 3 and plex. I'll try going directly to the headphone jack. Kind of a silly problem

Bit perfect

Is there an application enabling bitperfect streaming for media files like YouTube so that no up or down sampling is done?
This exists for audio only streaming: USB player pro apk. This allows me to do upsampling in the DAC or playing NOS, very useful for hirez audio files.
Audio signal goes out on USB to my audio stereo system and video signal goes straight to my TV by hdmi

General Audio driver problems

So wanted to comment on this
First, this is the best phone I’ve ever owned, although its lacking in a couple of things i was used to (coming from a oneplus 9 that had a lot of settings compared to this one, still this is a waaaay better phone) the speed, screen size and battery life makes it all worth it
Though! I use a lot of external dacs through the usb c connector (main reason to have a big battery)
I’m finding some issues in the audio department:
Tidal mqa files are not being played if the dac doesnt have mqa decoding (normally they would play without issues in iPadOS and one ui/ oxygen os
Some dacs (specially ifi hifi link) will not play files until a mqa file is played, though any system sound will interrupt the communication with the dac, it can be fixed played any master quality track and then going back to flac/ hifi quality in tidal, YouTube doesn’t work at all with this dac.
Facebook and YouTube wont play audio sometimes,my theory is that the player goes for the oem 3.5 out instead of the dac. That could be fixed if we got an audio output selector in the notifications player, though the option is not available as the player plays as a simplified notification, so no audio selection is possible
Of course the 3.5 jack in this is quite nice but … usb c dacs are a bit better at handling hi res files and streaming and of course demanding headphones.
Sent already this to nubia. Hopefully there will be a work around, UAPP is a viable solution of course but the easiness to surf through playlists is better in the tidal app.
So anyway, anyone surfing for an answer: its in the developers hands
Just wanted to leave this in case anyone looking in the internet is looking for answers on this
No audio switch app works on android 13 (lesser audio switch, etc)
Although there’s work around for using the external dacs, it comes as a surprise the first times. Though the phone is a beast and i truly love the battery life and extended display, a couple of tweaks and this would be the best phone out there
Kinda figure it out. The DTS ultra app was the culprit, even if it showed the toggle off, it was turning on (and screwing the sound for me) , just disabled the "auto start" or link button on the app preferences. all audio is being processed by the external dac. At least YouTube and fb are working flawlessly so far
Update: Some dacs are still having issues with the mqa decoder, but the general audio is coming out of the usb c port at least.
Alextakatu said:
Kinda figure it out. The DTS ultra app was the culprit, even if it showed the toggle off, it was turning on (and screwing the sound for me) , just disabled the "auto start" or link button on the app preferences. all audio is being processed by the external dac. At least YouTube and fb are working flawlessly so far
Update: Some dacs are still having issues with the mqa decoder, but the general audio is coming out of the usb c port at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of redmagic OS are you on? DTS ultra doesnt work for me
edzchen said:
Which version of redmagic OS are you on? DTS ultra doesnt work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.12 eu
Alextakatu said:
4.12 eu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind sending your DTS ultra app APK? It doesn't appear as an app for me and I cannot launch it, thanks!
edzchen said:
Would you mind sending your DTS ultra app APK? It doesn't appear as an app for me and I cannot launch it, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dm
Hi there. I had the same problem. But I was able to access my DTS Ultra app. It doesn't appear in my app drawer but I found the audio effects app for DTS Ultra using Activitylauncher from play store.
I could be wrong but I also noticed there is no way to EQ the speakers on the phone. The DTS Ultra app only shows up for headphones and gives the "Disconnect External Devices" error on speakers. I find the speakers to be good quality but slightly lacking in tuning, is there any way to perhaps tune them through 3rd party means? Thanks for the help.
psycho.b94 said:
Hi there. I had the same problem. But I was able to access my DTS Ultra app. It doesn't appear in my app drawer but I found the audio effects app for DTS Ultra using Activitylauncher from play store.
I could be wrong but I also noticed there is no way to EQ the speakers on the phone. The DTS Ultra app only shows up for headphones and gives the "Disconnect External Devices" error on speakers. I find the speakers to be good quality but slightly lacking in tuning, is there any way to perhaps tune them through 3rd party means? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe with power amp eq app?

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