S8 and external DAC via USB?

[samsungnian]

I have been using the iFi DAC with many android devices including Note 7 without any issue. I am having trouble getting S8 to work with the ext DAC. Has anyone tried with any ext DAC? Did it work? I tried to configure USB to different settings without any luck. I appreciated any suggestion. Thanks.

 

[strikeIII]

I haven't tried it yet as a buddy has mine but what model are you using and have you tried to update the firmware?

 

[jasonb]

My JDS Labs ODAC works with my Verizon S8 without changing any settings. Just plugs in and works. This isn't something I'm going to ever use, but I did test it, and it does work.

The phone itself, a Verizon Snapdragon S8, works fine in my opinion with normal easy to power headphones like most in ear monitors, and low impedance, somewhat sensitive over the ear models like the ATH-M50x, and Brainwavz HM5. Harder to drive headphones like a Sennheiser HD650, or AKG Q701 deserve more power.

My last phone was an LG V10 that has ESS Sabre DAC and amplifier chips inside. The S8 doesn't have the same kind of power, but in terms of actual sound quality the S8 is 95% as good. What I do like is the system wide EQ that the S8 offers. With a small amount of EQ I can actually stand to listen to the supplied AKG earphones and my ATH-M50x. I find that most headphones either has a little too much bass, or need a small bass boost. It's very hard for me to find anything with the exact balance I prefer. So this is a big help. My HD650 with my desktop amp and DAC is just about perfect, but for on the go the S8 is just fine with me.

 

[ltcjmramos]

Please, what's "iFi DAC" and "ODAC?"

 

[jasonb]

Please, what's "iFi DAC" and "ODAC?"

Google search JDS Labs ODAC. It's a DAC that is USB powered. It's a budget unit, but is really quite good. Not really meant to be used as a portable solution, more of a unit that would be meant to be used with a desktop headphone amp or full stereo system at home. It just happens to work with pretty much everything because it doesn't need any special software drivers. It's plug and play with pretty much everything.

 

[jasonb]

From what I've been reading on head-fi is that it always seems hit or miss on what DAC's will work on Android phones. Some units will work, and some won't, even if they claim to support Android. Best advice would be to look for a model that someone else has confirmed to work with the S8.

You also need to make sure you're using an actual OTG cable or OTG dongle to adapt from USB C to whatever the input on the DAC is. I don't think the USB c to micro USB adapter supplied with the S8 is OTG, but the USB c to full size USB does support OTG.

 

[jasonb]

To the OP, what headphones are you trying to use with the S8 that don't get loud enough?

 

[theelite1x87]

For reference I have a set of ATH M30 headphones from Audio Technica. Impedence is around 60 if memory serves. I remember it was just high enough to trigger preamp in my V10 ( it kicks in over 50ohms). On my S8 I can drive those headphones fine but the volume slider doesn't have much headroom above it. I would think headphones with impedence over 75ohms or so wouldn't​ get loud enough

 

[jasonb]

For reference I have a set of ATH M30 headphones from Audio Technica. Impedence is around 60 if memory serves. I remember it was just high enough to trigger preamp in my V10 ( it kicks in over 50ohms). On my S8 I can drive those headphones fine but the volume slider doesn't have much headroom above it. I would think headphones with impedence over 75ohms or so wouldn't​ get loud enough

Also depends on sensitivity as well. It's not just about impedance. Also my S8 gets my HD650 and Q701 loud enough on most tracks, but it's at it's limits and my desktop headphone rig sounds much better.

 

[samsungnian]

Please, what's "iFi DAC" and "ODAC?"

I have both black label iFi iDSD and the silver version. Neither are working with S8+. They work with Mate 9, Note 7, and pretty much all other Android devices I have had.

 

[samsungnian]

To the OP, what headphones are you trying to use with the S8 that don't get loud enough?

It is not so much about the headphone, it is a better DAC and amp. Yes, I have few full size headphone to use with.

 

[samsungnian]

From what I've been reading on head-fi is that it always seems hit or miss on what DAC's will work on Android phones. Some units will work, and some won't, even if they claim to support Android. Best advice would be to look for a model that someone else has confirmed to work with the S8.

You also need to make sure you're using an actual OTG cable or OTG dongle to adapt from USB C to whatever the input on the DAC is. I don't think the USB c to micro USB adapter supplied with the S8 is OTG, but the USB c to full size USB does support OTG.

It is the same cable I use with other Android devices that work with out issue. It might very well be a S8 and iFi combo.

 

[cliberti]

Have you enabled developer mode and tried the different USB options? I am guessing one of these may work

 

[Tahoe916]

How about try USB Audio Player Pro, that works for me

 

[boneycat]

I too am interested in an external DAC to use with my S8+. I hope people continue to post their experiences.

 

[hekat0n]

So, I recently traveled overseas with my new S8+. I've been quite happy with my HD700 and Oppo HA-2SE combo, but quickly discovered on the plane that using the Micro USB->USB-C adapter was not working. The S8+ did OK, but I didn't buy HD700s for the "OK" experience.

When I returned from vacation, I found a nice, inexpensive Micro USB->USB-C cable on Amazon. It arrived today. With some tinkering in the Developer options menu I found this option:



After setting USB configuration to 'Audio source' I am happy to report that I am now getting audio out via my HA-2SE!

I'm sure your mileage may vary depending on the brand/model of DAC your using, but I hope this helps someone.

 

[tryzub]

I can confirm this didn't work for my ifi iDSD BL + S8+ combo. I might try the Oppo next. It's a mobile solution that's more "mobile" anyway. I had hoped to use the ifi as a desktop/mobile solution. It works great with my MacBook Pro.

I have been using the iFi DAC with many android devices including Note 7 without any issue. I am having trouble getting S8 to work with the ext DAC. Has anyone tried with any ext DAC? Did it work? I tried to configure USB to different settings without any luck. I appreciated any suggestion. Thanks.

I'm getting static in my cans with this combo. Is that what you heard, too? Did you get it working either way?

 

[gamer765]

I also have a Galaxy S8+ and an iFi Nano iDSD and when I use it I get static sound in my cans. To those that got it working, care to share the secret sauce?

 

[Rob Chew]

My Dragonfly Black is working well on my S8 as is my Cambridge DacMagic XS. I'm using the Onkyo HF Player.

 

[bbzsget]

Anyone tried the mojo?also when you guys say it works, you mean all sounds go through the dac or only usibg UAPP and poweeamp?does spotify work?