Say goodbye to headphone jack

[Googlepixelxl2]

I feel your pain... Not a deal breaker for me either. In fact I'm giving up a few features to switch to Pixel from LG but in the end I think I'll be OK

I thought about the LG V30 and a U11, but I just can't. Anyone know if Google will add SMS to Allo?

 

[Mike Dee]

I thought about the LG V30 and a U11, but I just can't. Anyone know if Google will add SMS to Allo?

I'm not sure... A better guy to ask might be @aquilla

 

[Jeremiah Bonds]

So are you going Pixel?

Still entertaining the thought.. I really don't want to upgrade but the last TMobile update broke my phone and it's hard to live with it. This is my most favorite phone to date.

 

[Mike Dee]

Still entertaining the thought.. I really don't want to upgrade but the last TMobile update broke my phone and it's hard to live with it. This is my most favorite phone to date.

Is that like @LeoRex has with memory issues?

 

[Jaycemiskel]

I'm in a pixelated mood. I went to the Nexus 6p after I returned my G5 and back to the G5 after discovering the Nexus didn't support all of the Verizon features. I've always wanted a Google phone and Pixel does support the features but I was already entrenched in the V20 when the first Pixels came out.
I still might get a V30 when the price drops and I'm not fully decided on the Pixel but I'm pretty much there.

That makes sense. I thought you were a lock for the V30. I'm sure the price will drop fairly quickly. Probably find some good deals around January.

I thought about the LG V30 and a U11, but I just can't. Anyone know if Google will add SMS to Allo?

That's very doubtful. I don't think that's going to happen.

 

[modifier]

Are you using the DAC through USB C?

Yeah, one of my former DAC/amps was native USB-C. My main DAC/amp just needed a USB-C to USB A cable. I might pick up a Dragonfly just to have something smaller, even though I prefer Wolfson (pre Cirrus Logic) and Burr-Brown DACs by a long shot over ESS.

 

[Mike Dee]

Yeah, one of my former DAC/amps was native USB-C. My main DAC/amp just needed a USB-C to USB A cable. I might pick up a Dragonfly just to have something smaller, even though I prefer Wolfson (pre Cirrus Logic) and Burr-Brown DACs by a long shot over ESS.

Which Dragonfly

 

[modifier]

Which Dragonfly

Not sure, actually. Maybe the Black since it would just be for portable / emergency use and should last longer on battery. I'd have to hear both the Black and Red with my IEMs to know if the Black can drive them okay or if the Red is truly worth 2x more. If I knew I'd use it more often then I'd probably just go Red and not look back.

 

[Mike Dee]

Not sure, actually. Maybe the Black since it would just be for portable / emergency use and should last longer on battery. I'd have to hear both the Black and Red with my IEMs to know if the Black can drive them okay or if the Red is truly worth 2x more. If I knew I'd use it more often then I'd probably just go Red and not look back.

Big difference in price

 

[modifier]

Big difference in price

I know, that's why the answer isn't easy. $200 buys a proper DAC/amp with its own battery, capacitors, filters, choice in DAC chipset, etc. So, probably Black in that case. It should be noticeably better than the Qualcomm SoC DAC.

 

[Mike Dee]

I know, that's why the answer isn't easy. $200 buys a proper DAC/amp with its own battery, capacitors, filters, choice in DAC chipset, etc. So, probably Black in that case. It should be noticeably better than the Qualcomm SoC DAC.

It's nice and small.... Wonder how it stacks up to the LG quad DAC.

 

[modifier]

It's nice and small.... Wonder how it stacks up to the LG quad DAC.

I'm the wrong type of engineer to answer that but if both are compared purely from an electrical component standpoint, the Dragonflies both have more guts to them than the V30.

Compare the V30 teardown... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKk7F9uEWJ8#t=4m00s

...to the AQ DF 1.2:

I couldn't find a photo of the Black and Red boards, but you'll get the idea.

Having never heard the V30, Black or Red, my initial guess is that even if the V30 somehow managed to sound better (which I have to doubt after seeing the inside of the V30), the DF goes with any device and isn't locked into a phone that will likely get replaced in 1-2 years if not sooner. I'd rather put my money into a small DAC and choose whatever phone I want to go with it.

A few reviews have put both of the new DFs up against some rather good DAPs and claim that a phone+DF combo sounds as good if not better than a dedicated DAP. Convenience is certainly a benefit to the former combination as well. A DF is small enough to take everywhere without much thought.

 

[Mike Dee]

I'm the wrong type of engineer to answer that but if both are compared purely from an electrical component standpoint, the Dragonflies both have more guts to them than the V30.

Compare the V30 teardown... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKk7F9uEWJ8#t=4m00s

...to the AQ DF 1.2: View attachment 269615

I couldn't find a photo of the Black and Red boards, but you'll get the idea.

Having never heard the V30, Black or Red, my initial guess is that even if the V30 somehow managed to sound better (which I have to doubt after seeing the inside of the V30), the DF goes with any device and isn't locked into a phone that will likely get replaced in 1-2 years if not sooner. I'd rather put my money into a small DAC and choose whatever phone I want to go with it.

A few reviews have put both of the new DFs up against some rather good DAPs and claim that a phone+DF combo sounds as good if not better than a dedicated DAP. Convenience is certainly a benefit to the former combination as well. A DF is small enough to take everywhere without much thought.

I agree on many points. Have you noticed any compatibility issues with any of them... Either yourself or from around the internet.

 

[modifier]

I agree on many points. Have you noticed any compatibility issues with any of them... Either yourself or from around the internet.

I haven't read about any compatibility issues with the current 1.5 models. The older version 1.2 was too hard to drive for most phones, but the new ones don't need as much amperage (like only 4-5mA compared to the former 100mA). Interestingly enough, I just read this morning that the Red uses slightly less battery power from the host despite being able to drive even higher impedance headphones.

Still not sure which one I'd buy. The price-per-value is likely on the Black, especially if listening to streaming services or simple MP3s. I listen to high-res files at home but don't care as much when mobile since outside sounds usually negate the difference anyway, even with IEMs to block out most of the noise. If I wanted a do-everything solution to replace all of my portable DAC/amps then I'd probably bet on Red, although I'm still not sure the Black would be any worse. Mobile is tricky in noisy environments.

Here are two reviews I found this morning that you might find helpful:
Go anywhere with AudioQuest's DragonFly Black | DAR__KO
AudioQuest's DragonFly Red puts high-end DAPs on notice | DAR__KO

 

[Mike Dee]

I haven't read about any compatibility issues with the current 1.5 models. The older version 1.2 was too hard to drive for most phones, but the new ones don't need as much amperage (like only 4-5mA compared to the former 100mA). Interestingly enough, I just read this morning that the Red uses slightly less battery power from the host despite being able to drive even higher impedance headphones.

Still not sure which one I'd buy. The price-per-value is likely on the Black, especially if listening to streaming services or simple MP3s. I listen to high-res files at home but don't care as much when mobile since outside sounds usually negate the difference anyway, even with IEMs to block out most of the noise. If I wanted a do-everything solution to replace all of my portable DAC/amps then I'd probably bet on Red, although I'm still not sure the Black would be any worse. Mobile is tricky in noisy environments.

Here are two reviews I found this morning that you might find helpful:
Go anywhere with AudioQuest's DragonFly Black | DAR__KO
AudioQuest's DragonFly Red puts high-end DAPs on notice | DAR__KO

It looks like the red is higher output. They don't seem to have a USB C cable yet. Can probably find one.... I have time since the phone isn't out yet

 

[modifier]

It looks like the red is higher output. They don't seem to have a USB C cable yet. Can probably find one.... I have time since the phone isn't out yet

Here are three options...
- https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...sb_standard_a_adapter?hl=en-US&token=Zv72286Y
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tml/BI/20079/KBID/13844/SID/UUacUvbUpU5993409
- https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13812 (Be sure to select the 6")

I'd recommend the cable from Google. It's likely made by the same OEM that HTC uses. I have one on the way.

 

[Mike Dee]

Here are three options...
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...sb_standard_a_adapter?hl=en-US&token=PNg736Su
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tml/BI/20079/KBID/13844/SID/UUacUvbUpU5993688
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13812 (Be sure to select the 6")

I'd recommend the cable from Google. It's likely made by the same OEM that HTC uses. I have one on the way.

Took a look at that link but I don't see a choice for different lengths. It's 12.99
It's 16 cm which is roughly 6 inches

 

[modifier]

Took a look at that link but I don't see a choice for different lengths. It's 12.99
It's 16 cm which is roughly 6 inches

The cable at monoprice is backordered anyway. Go with the first link for the cable from Google. That's what I just ordered. I have a USB-C to USB-A cable now but it's male on both ends. I'll probably grab a Dragonfly soon. First I want to see what the 10/4 event brings and figure out what I'm doing for my next phone.

 

[Mike Dee]

The cable at monoprice is backordered anyway. Go with the first link for the cable from Google. That's what I just ordered. I have a USB-C to USB-A cable now but it's male on both ends. I'll probably grab a Dragonfly soon. First I want to see what the 10/4 event brings and figure out what I'm doing for my next phone.

Just realized the the cable at monoprice is what you were referring to. The Google is already 6 inch. I'm waiting for 10/4 event also.

 

[ChuckG73]

Is google putting wireless headphones in with the phone this year? I thought I saw that somewhere