Request to Google to enable USB audio on Android smartphones/tablets

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USB audio output was added in Jelly Bean (4.1).
USB Audio

USB audio output support allows hardware vendors to build hardware such as audio docks that interface with Android devices. This functionality is also exposed with the Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK) to give all developers the chance to create their own hardware.
http://developer.android.com/about/vers ... -bean.html

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The USB DAC recommended by Google is a new type of device. It is not compatible with PC or Mac.
http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/ ... io-support
http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/ ... play-audio

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A legacy USB DAC compatible with PC / Mac acts as a USB device, and a PC / Mac acts as a USB host.
A USB DAC recommended by Google acts as a USB host, and a Android smartphone / tablet acts as a USB device.

Personally, I prefer the legacy USB audio feature implemented by Samsung on Galaxy S III, which can interwork with a legacy USB DAC like FiiO E7 or ODAC.

The legacy USB audio feature is still specified in the Android specs:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topi ... index.html
http://developer.android.com/guide/topi ... /host.html
http://developer.android.com/reference/ ... tants.html
"USB_CLASS_AUDIO USB class for audio devices"

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An Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-powered device can have both USB audio out modes: standard USB audio out and Android-specific USB audio out.
These features are at the Android kernel level.
http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/ ... io-support

"Android Open Accessory Protocol 2.0 includes optional support for audio output from an Android device to an accessory. This version of the protocol supports a standard USB audio class interface that is capable of 2 channel 16-bit PCM audio with a bit rate of 44100 Khz. AOA 2.0 is currently limited to this output mode, but additional audio modes may be added in the future.
To enable the audio support, the accessory must send a new USB control request: SET_AUDIO_MODE"

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It should be easy to enable standard USB audio out and Android-specific USB audio out on an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-powered device with USB host capability.

Let's keep up the pressure on Google and the Android device manufacturers for the standard USB audio out:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues ... ry%20Stars

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The Samsung Galaxy S III interworks with the iBasso D2 Boa:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/picture ... st_8509186

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB DAC/amp iBasso D2 Boa >> Sennheiser HD 518

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A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S III:

stock Samsung Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (micro-A plug inserted in the S III) >> standard USB DAC >> amp >> headphones


. AMB Gamma 1:
http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma1/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8750043

. AMB Gamma 2:
http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma2/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=279

. Asus Xonar U3 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_U3/
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread. ... ost8551119

. Behringer UCA202 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8654226

. Behringer UCA222 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.behringer.com/en/Products/UCA222.aspx
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-da ... post171651

. Beresford Caiman:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio- ... 787/review
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-da ... post171651

. C-Media chipset-based sound card Dynamode 7 channel USB 2.0 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.chinacomputerparts.com/d-p11 ... 00-cables/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=449

. Cakewalk Sonar SPS 25:
https://www.cakewalk.com/support/kb/rea ... 2007013101
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-da ... post171651

. Corsair HS1 Gaming headset (USB DAC/amp/headphones):
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3989/cors ... ng-headset
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... st27238117

. FiiO E7 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headfonia.com/fiio-e7-portable-dac/
http://www.androidnz.net/2012/07/galaxy ... art-2.html

. Furutech ADL Cruise (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.furutech.com/a2008/product2.asp?prodNo=399
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8567838

. GoVibe DAC:
http://jaben.net/forums/index.php?topic=2824.0
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showt ... ry53317360

. GoVibe Mini USB DAC:
http://www.jaben.com.au/collections/go- ... be-minidac
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally ... st_8525675

. GoVibe Petite (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/290711/govibe- ... tle-update
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8552452

. HRT HeadStreamer (USB DAC/amp):
http://highresolutiontechnologies.com/headstreamer
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8677483

. HRT Music Streamer II:
http://highresolutiontechnologies.com/music-streamer-ii
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8534856

. HeadAmp Pico (USB DAC/amp): (Exynos-based S III connected to Pico via USB 2.0 hub)
http://www.headamp.com/pico/pico_dac_amp/index.htm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8539705
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8688938
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8638606

. HeadRoom Total BitHead (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headphone.com/learning-cente ... ad-faq.php
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8527516

. HeadStage USB DAC cable:
http://www.inearmatters.net/2010/04/sho ... cable.html
http://www.headphiles.org/index.php/top ... #msg241979

. HiFiMan Express HM-101:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/571330/hifiman ... le-usb-dac
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=291

. iBasso D-Zero (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=73
http://neutronmp.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... t=20#p1636

. iBasso D2 Boa (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=30
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/picture ... st_8509186

. iBasso D2+ Boa (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=42
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-da ... post171651

. iBasso D5 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/556490/ibasso- ... sb-dac-amp
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally ... st_8462693

. iBasso D10 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=39
http://www.head-fi.org/t/628374/samsung ... st_8735134

. iBasso D12 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=63
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=924

. iQube v2 (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.i-qube.nl/index.php?id=24
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... count=1268

. KingRex UD-01:
http://www.kingrex.co.uk/dac.html
https://www.facebook.com/headfonia/post ... 7358128700

. Leckerton UHA-6S MKII (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.leckertonaudio.com/products/uha-6s-mkii/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/602493/new-lec ... st_8698006

. Matrix Mini-i (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.headfonia.com/matrix-mini-i-balanced-dac/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8768166

. Microsoft Philips Digital Sound System 80 (USB DAC/amp/speakers):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Sound_System_80
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=1703218

. NuForce Icon HDP (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconhdp/index.php
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8567838

. NuForce Icon Mobile (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nufo ... obile.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8759826

. Objective DAC (ODAC):
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-pro ... e-usb-dac/
http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46
http://www.headnhifi.com/index.php/shop/objective/odac
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8707637

. ODAC+O2 (USB DAC/amp):
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-pro ... h-usb-dac/
http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=48
http://www.headnhifi.com/index.php/shop ... 0527192048
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?s ... 8276945555

. Ordnance .25 (USB DAC/amp):
http://jaben.net/forums/index.php?topic=9984.0
http://www.head-fi.org/t/614111/finally ... st_8462693

. RSA Predator (USB DAC/amp):
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/predator
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8538933

. Stoner Acoustics UD100:
http://stoneracoustics.blogspot.fr/
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showt ... ry54596977

. Syba SD-AUD20101: (optical S/PFIF capable)
http://www.sybausa.com/productInfo.php?iid=1191
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8736082

. Topping D1 Mark 2 (USB DAC/amp):
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... J4x85vGfDg
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=871

. Topping TP30 (USB DAC/amp):
http://news.cnet.com/8300-5_3-0.html?ke ... ping+TP-30
http://www.androidnz.net/2012/05/samsun ... audio.html

. VentureCraft Go-Dap X (USB DAC/amp):
http://venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/index.php
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8708233

. xDuoo XP-1 (USB DAC/amp):
http://translate.google.fr/translate?hl ... %3FID%3D47
http://translate.google.fr/translate?tl ... CCcQ7gEwAA



So far, like the quad-core Exynos powered Galaxy S III, the new quad-core Exynos powered Samsung Galaxy Note II can work with the iBasso D12 and the ODAC, and has some issue with the HeadAmp Pico.

So, in regard to standard USB audio, the behaviour of the Galaxy Note II is likely identical to the behaviour of the Galaxy SIII.
Last edited by DanBa on Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:13 am, edited 11 times in total.

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The Samsung Galaxy S III interworks with the asynchronous USB DAC HRT Streamer II:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8534856

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable with USB Micro-A plug inserted in the S III >> asynchronous USB DAC HRT Streamer II >> cMoyBB headphone amplifier >> headphones


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Samsung Galaxy S III interworks with RSA Predator:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8538933

"Just purchased a usb otg cable today and tried out with my RSA predator, works without any problem.
What a suprise! the sound quality actually upgraded, from iPod classic + Predator(amp only) to SIII + Predator(DAC/amp)"

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> USB DAC/amp RSA Predator >> IEM


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The combo "Odac + Neco V3" is very well-praised:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-so ... -2-amp/105

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"ODAC + NECO V.3 + Sennheiser HD580 = A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.
I can't tell you how beautiful this rig sounds. We all know how well the HD580/600 scales with better sources and amps.. but synergy is often undervalued. The ODAC is beautifully resolving and clean.. but the Neco really steals the show, IMO.
My V.3 has the 8610s & lithium battery.. and boy, does the HD580 love it. A DEAD silent background, fantastic dynamic range.. and the artful Sennheiser sound.. on steroids! Treble has spectacular air, crispness, and detail.. the mids are very very transparent and deep.. with the bass coming tight and punchy. One thing I've really noticed the Senn benefits from is the V.3's dual opamp setup.. which provide fantastic channel separation, imaging, and soundstage. It's so immersive.. I can listen to this setup for hours on end. I like this little combo more than my desktop rig (via the tube or SS output!) and the ODAC+O2 (which is a little too clinical). For those one the fence about this amp.. stop waffling.. it's a GEM.
I also dropped the gain jumpers in so I've got it set at low gain (2.3x) since it's being used with the ODAC (2 Vrms output). the Neco it quite ably drives the HE-500, btw. Very clean & dynamic, again.

When driving the HE-500.. I like this combo more than the O2."


The Odac USB DAC can interwork with an Android powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S III as well as with a PC or a Mac.

Odac USB DAC:
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-pro ... e-usb-dac/ http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46
http://www.headnhifi.com/index.php/shop/objective/odac

Neco V3 amp :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/new-V3-DUAL-A ... d=ViewItem

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As expected, for the time being the Nexus 7 doesn't interwork with standard USB DAC like FiiO E7 or FiiO E17:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/616125/google- ... st_8525225


A stock Jelly Bean powered Nexus 7 should be able to interwork with an upcoming Android-specific USB audio out-capable USB DAC, like the Gear4 speaker dock, that acts a USB host (and the Nexus 7 as a USB peripheral).
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/30/gear ... -google-i/

Nexus 7 operating as a USB peripheral > digital audio stream >> Android-specific USB DAC "Gear4 speaker dock" operating as a USB host > Gear4 speaker dock's amp > Gear4 speaker dock's speakers

Anyway, the Android-specific USB audio driver is included in the Jelly Bean kernel source code of the Nexus 7:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=1736578
https://github.com/edoko/Air_Kernel_for ... ource.c#L2

2 * Gadget Function Driver for USB audio source device
4 * Copyright (C) 2012 Google, Inc.

43 .bInterfaceClass = USB_CLASS_AUDIO,
44 .bInterfaceSubClass = USB_SUBCLASS_AUDIOCONTROL,

308 .bInterfaceClass = USB_CLASS_AUDIO,
309 .bInterfaceSubClass = USB_SUBCLASS_AUDIOSTREAMING,



The standard USB audio driver is also included in the Jelly Bean kernel source code of the Nexus 7:
https://github.com/drewis/android_kerne ... /card.c#L2

2 * (Tentative) USB Audio Driver for ALSA

174 if ((altsd->bInterfaceClass != USB_CLASS_AUDIO &&
175 altsd->bInterfaceClass != USB_CLASS_VENDOR_SPEC) ||
176 altsd->bInterfaceSubClass != USB_SUBCLASS_AUDIOSTREAMING) {

692 .bInterfaceClass = USB_CLASS_AUDIO,
693 .bInterfaceSubClass = USB_SUBCLASS_AUDIOCONTROL }


a standard USB audio-enabled Nexus 7 operating as a USB host > digital audio stream >> standard USB DAC like FiiO E7 or Objective DAC operating as a USB peripheral >> amp >> headphones


It's up to us to require Google & Android device manufacturers to enable standard USB audio!
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues ... ry%20Stars

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A custom Nexus 7 interworks with a standard USB DAC:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android ... st_8565219

modded Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> USB DAC Turtle Beach MICRO II > analog audio stream >> amp >> speakers
or
modded Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> Turtle Beach MICRO II > SPDIF digital audio stream >> SPDIF DAC/amp >> speakers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY7qWIu9bUM

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Apparently "Galaxy S III + (some) USB DAC" and "(some) computer + (some) USB DAC" have at least the same sound quality:

"How about the SQ of the S3 + NuForce Icon HDP? What headphones do you use?"

"It's quite good. Slightly, not very noticeable, better than it was connected to my computer.
So if you wanna know more about this, you can just simply refer to those review of HDP.
P.S. I am using HD600 & UM1 for testing"
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson ... st_8571797

"For anyone interested, the D12 USB DAC works when connected to a Galaxy S3. It sounds the same to me as it does when connected to a computer."
http://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/9 ... ntry526070

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A custom Nexus 7 interworks with a standard USB DAC FiiO E10 (that doesn't work with stock Samsung Galaxy S III for the time being):

custom Nexus 7 > digital audio stream >> USB DAC/amp FiiO E10 >> Sennheiser HD-380

Instructions for customizing a Nexus 7:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... st29805237
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthrea ... light=Udev

"Code:
pcm.usbdac {
type hw;
card Audio;
}
ctl.usbdac {
type hw;
card Audio;
}
pcm.!default usbdac

Back up your asound.conf and add this (or for simplicity sake, replace it with this)

This allows me to use my Nexus 7 to play over my Fiio E10 USB DAC, N7 + E10 + HD380 == fun.


It's too late for me to work on combining this with the stock asound.conf.

It's in /etc/ on stock rom and works once replaced."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=472


"We are lucky, no such file or luck on GN or SGS3 yet, need to first understand how alsa works on those phones.

Yes, double check you need the alteration.
I never got sounds out the USB DAC without it.
And now with it, plays fine with DAC, but also when DAC is not plugged, plays sounds as if I never changed anything.
Which is nice either way, not needing to change the file all the time.
Need to find out if/how I can modify the default device for np and sgs3 now, they neither had nor sorry the file.
No support meaning adding the file doesn't change anything there."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpos ... tcount=497

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The Samsung Galaxy S III with Snapdragon SoC interworks with the HeadAmp Pico:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/picture ... st_8636759

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable (Micro-A plug inserted in the S III) >> USB DAC/amp HeadAmp Pico >> Beyerdynamic T5p


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Samsung Galaxy S III with Snapdragon SoC & USB DAC/amp HeadAmp Pico:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/picture ... st_8639661

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Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> Pico >> V-Moda M-80

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Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> Pico >> Thunderpants TP1

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Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable >> Pico >> Audez'e LCD-2

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A Samsung Galaxy S III interworks with a USB DAC/amp FiiO E7:
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php ... t=38070269

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> USB OTG cable (Micro-A plug inserted in the S III) >> FiiO E7 >> Westone UM3X


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