joying 2GB sofia headunits-common thread for all audio topics:USB DAC,music player...

[kampfschachtel]

Hi all,

I created this thread as a common one for all topics related to audio as the Joying Sofia Units are in the frist place car audio equipment and 2nd a android tablet with an analog amp and switchboard.
There are already a selection of threads out in the forum but they are very hard to find and I will volunteer to do the same as user gusten and make a summary here in this first post as tips&tricks regarding all audio topics in this thread so you have an overview.
Users please respect this is audio related topics ONLY so we don't get a mess. Thank you.

Major topics here are:
- all sound out via USB out to use a external DAC to get the joying to a total new sound quality level
How to get a USB sound out (big thank you to https://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=503463 for this):
"mod all audio out via USB out"
to get USB sound out and the DACs below working you need to perform this mod
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71532787&postcount=201 and https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71536897&postcount=215 and https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71539324&postcount=216
file to download: https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4084494&d=1490188105:
Ok, attached is the audio_policy.conf file zipped. So just unzip the file, and replace the original file located at /system/etc/audio_policy.conf with the one in the zip. You can do this via adb or root file manager. The joying need to be rooted before for this mod. Also, make sure the permissions on the file are 0644.
Discussion about USB-DAC setup is here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/an.../android-5-1-head-unit-usb-audio-dac-t3426604

to test if a DAC is recognised or not you don't need to mod/root your joying:
how to test your USB DAC:
1) download the neutron player: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neutroncode.mpeval
2) connect your USB dac with USB to the joying and put any headphone as output or RCA out to any amp you have avaliable.
3) start the neutron player
4) let neutron search your libary automatically
5) play any track that neutron shows (eg the navi Mp3)
=> if you get sound on your headphones/amp, the joying is recognising your DAC. If the DAC has volume buttons, test them to see if volume control works.
=> if no, the joying doesn't recognise it. Send it back.

- list of USB DACs that work, partly work with workaround to make it work and which DACs don't.
All DACs working with Andoid 5 will also work with Android 6 as the generic drivers build in are the same and some additional drivers added. But some DACs that don't work with Android 5 will maybe work with 6, so please try them and give feedback please.
working USB DACs: all need the" USB out with volume control" mod
Helix Pro MK2 with the USB module works also with just the USB out without volume control as it has its own master volume
Behringer UAC202 which has a DAC Chip TI/Burr Brown PCM2902 => http://nwavguy.blogspot.ch/2011/02/behringer-uca202-review.html
all DACs based on the DAC Chip from TI/Burr Brown PCM 2704 => has better Specs then the PCM 2902
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCM2704-USB...Card-Decoder-Board-Aluminum-case/171822774894 (kampfschachtel)
https://www.amazon.de/PCM2704-Soundkarte-Glasfaser-Koaxial-Ausgang/dp/B016CZ2NK6
Muse: http://www.thanksbuyer.com/muse-min...l-decoder-usb-to-s-pdif-converter-black-24562

partly working USB DACs:
ASUS Xonar U3 Exellent sound , but not able to control volume from Head Unit

not working USB DACs


to understand the topic Android and USB audio better, this is a great article:
http://apcmag.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-android-usb-audio.htm/

- hardware mods regarding sound (e.g. TDA amp replacement with Pioneer Amp)
replacing TDA 7380 (4x30W) with Pioneer PA2030A (4x60W) much better sound&bass or TDA7850 (4x50W 4ohm or 4x85W 2Ohm): http://forum.carjoying.com/thread-4...ar-view-camera-problem-changing-tda-7388.html

Adb to Wifi app (turn on and off adb on the joying, eg. restart the ADB server which sometimes stops working after reboot)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71616884&postcount=273

- l[B Viper4Joying mod [/B] a must have for every sofia joying out there,results in a much better sound and provides a 11 channel EQ. (need to be rooted for this mod)
for Android 5.1.1
Viper4android and compatible busybox: how to install, modified version for the joying Sofia Intel: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72123641&postcount=134
You need to install the busybox from this link too, the busybox version provided by surfer69 is not compatible with V4A.
The apk is best to be in the /system/priv-apps folder. On PowerAmp, you need to turn off "Direct Volume Control." On some other apps, you need to disable "MusicFX" .
For Android 6:
Viper4android and compatible busybox: how to install, modified version for the joying Sofia Intel: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72123641&postcount=134
You need to install the busybox from this link too, the busybox version provided by surfer69 is not compatible with V4A.
The apk is best to be in the /system/priv-apps folder. On PowerAmp, you need to turn off "Direct Volume Control." On some other apps, you need to disable "MusicFX" .

How to tweak Viper4androids to get the best Sound: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72207583&postcount=164

- Apps, plugins, mods that upgrade the 3-band equlizer
Viper4jJoying mod is fixing that too

modified DAB+ app:
highly recommended fo people using the DAB+ app. Great changes and fixes:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72696072&postcount=47
huge thank you to realzoulou for his work on this. Finally one of my most used apps are running like it should.

DAB+ reception problems:
issue is mostly a wrong location of your DAB+ antenna. I figured the delivered DAB+ antenna has a surprisingly good reception quality but close to e.g. an ECU the reception is near 0 due to the HF frequency field produced by the ECU "kills" the DAB+ signal so the DAB+ antenna has nothing to receive.
Here you find DAB+ tips for antenna position and points to be taken care to chose the right one.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71700817&postcount=64

How to run Pandora in Europe on your joying: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72015408&postcount=120

to be continued.
XDA rocks. Thank you for everybody participating and making the joying a great sounding device, stock it is not but huge potential is there

 

[tuuza]

Does anyone have the Joying digital amp for the new VW units?
I ordered mine couple days ago.
https://youtu.be/hifENMDt5nk

 

[nk33]

I have this unit and after 2 months i have the issue with the LCD not showing up. Joying have told me it is a known issue and sent me a video of how to solder the main board.

Can anyone confirm this works before i pay someone to do it for me?

the alternative is to send it back to Joying for a refund - but the issue with this is that i actually still want a full Android head unit...and sending it back will not solve this problem....

thanks in advance

 

[frankienones]

Hi all,

I created this thread as a common one for all topics related to audio as the Joying Sofia Units are in the frist place car audio equipment and 2nd a android tablet with an analog amp and switchboard.
There are already a selection of threads out in the forum but they are very hard to find and I will volunteer to do the same as user gusten and make a summary here in this first post as tips&tricks regarding all audio topics in this thread so you have an overview.
Users please respect this is audio related topics ONLY so we don't get a mess.

Major topics here are:
- all sound out via USB out to use a external DAC to get the joying to a total new sound quality level
- list of USB DACs that work, partly work with workaround to make it work and which DACs don't
- hardware mods regarding sound (e.g. TDA amp replacement with Pioneer Amp)
- list of music player apps (pro/cons, evaluation)
- Apps, plugins, mods that upgrade the 3-band equlizer
to be continued.

This partly work:
On Joying FW 20170314 , modified audio_policy.conf
USB DAC : ASUS Xonar U3
Exellent sound , but not able to control volume from Head Unit

 

[AssassinsLament]

This partly work:
On Joying FW 20170314 , modified audio_policy.conf
USB DAC : ASUS Xonar U3
Exellent sound , but not able to control volume from Head Unit

I'm willing to bet it's the same issue, Joying's physical volume knob/buttons only control their physical outputs, and not the android system's volume. The Android system's volume can be controlled by apps or keyboards/remotes, and it does control the dac's volume... problem is, Joying's software changes the Android system volume back to max after a few seconds.

frankienones, I suggest you try a keyboard or remote that has volume up and volume down keys, and see if it controls your dac's volume.

 

[gustden]

I just installed Viper4android and it is working. I have noticed that when I use the google voice command, it no longer lowers the volume of the music player. The same thing when the system reads a text message. The message gets read, but the music volume doesn't lower.

Is anyone else having this issue? Is there a workaround?

- edit - Problem resolved, it was unrelated to Viper...

 

[kampfschachtel]

I'm willing to bet it's the same issue, Joying's physical volume knob/buttons only control their physical outputs, and not the android system's volume. The Android system's volume can be controlled by apps or keyboards/remotes, and it does control the dac's volume... problem is, Joying's software changes the Android system volume back to max after a few seconds.

frankienones, I suggest you try a keyboard or remote that has volume up and volume down keys, and see if it controls your dac's volume.

the volume control issue sounds to me like a problem of who is controling the USB stream: Joying or the DAC? it looks to me like both do which causes the issue.
Would be interessting or the way to go to try an asynchrone USB DAC as it will take over the control and the timing of the USB stream.
Another source for the issue can be that some DAC's are using analog volume controls but some are using digital volume control. Difference is the analog volume controlled DAC the volume control happens after the DAC has transfered digital to analog, means the analog output signal is modified in the level but digital input is continous and steady in level. The digital volume controlled DACsreduces the level of the digital input signal means the level/volume control is done before the DAC and the DAC's analog section is just amplifing the input with a fixed output factor.
To me it looks like the USB-DAC first takes over the volume in a digital way (volume gets reduced by reducing the digital input signal), volume gets effectivly reduced and then joying unit takes over the control and delivers a continous digital signal (as it has analog volume control) and the input of the digital volume controlled DAC gets the full input level which gives you the max. volume output level.
Looks like an asynchrone DAC (which takes over the control of timing and USB stream permanently) with analog volume control would be the way to go/solution.
Normally the small form factor and cheaper DACs are using digital volume control as cheaper to realize (reduces number of parts needed) and therefor also smaller. More expensive ones use analog volume control as you need a real preamp for this and it doesn't reduce the dynamic range of the digital input signal as digital volume control does.

Would try myself an asychron USB-DAC but I am in hospital now for next 3 till 5 weeks...

 

[frankienones]

I'm willing to bet it's the same issue, Joying's physical volume knob/buttons only control their physical outputs, and not the android system's volume. The Android system's volume can be controlled by apps or keyboards/remotes, and it does control the dac's volume... problem is, Joying's software changes the Android system volume back to max after a few seconds.

frankienones, I suggest you try a keyboard or remote that has volume up and volume down keys, and see if it controls your dac's volume.

Yeah, i will do that. I have ordered a bluetooth remote, which are supposed to do this -and will see how it works. I don't have anything else for the moment ...

I really want this to work, with the crystal clear output from the dac

 

[AssassinsLament]

To me it looks like the USB-DAC first takes over the volume in a digital way (volume gets reduced by reducing the digital input signal), volume gets effectivly reduced and then joying unit takes over the control and delivers a continous digital signal (as it has analog volume control) and the input of the digital volume controlled DAC gets the full input level which gives you the max. volume output level.

Well I am pretty new to these Android head units, and so my knowledge is very limited. But what seems to be happening is the MCU is acting sort of like a DAC. What I mean by that is that there is no internal "speaker" like how a tablet would have built in speakers. So android basically streams through the MCU, and thus you control the volume level on the MCU via the volume knob/buttons, which has no interactions with Android's system at all. And because of that, they did not program anything in their software to change the volume on android's system when you turn the knobs. Also, that's probably why they programmed it to always max Android's sound level, so the MCU can get the max input from android's stream.

Again, if you can find where in Joying's software they are monitoring the sound levels of Android and are maxing it, then you could just modify the Joying software to stop doing that, and you can use a remote or an app that can change the volume (since Joying's knob/buttons doesn't do it, and even their Speaker Icon on the notification bar doesn't do it, as those only control the MCU's volume). Then the DAC will work fine. I know this because I disabled the software that maxes out the Android system volume, and the U202 worked great... but sadly, that same software is what streams the sound to the MCU, and does a lot of other things unseen and sadly, again, the knob does not work to change the volume.

Obviously, the best solution would be to try to get Joying's knob and buttons to do it as it's more convenient.

 

[AssassinsLament]

Yeah, i will do that. I have ordered a bluetooth remote, which are supposed to do this -and will see how it works. I don't have anything else for the moment ...

I really want this to work, with the crystal clear output from the dac

In the mean time, you can try an app that changes android's system volume like this one:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hr.podlanica

You'll probably see that it works but something is forcing android's system volume to max after you change the volume levels.

 

[kampfschachtel]

Also, that's probably why they programmed it to always max Android's sound level, so the MCU can get the max input from android's stream.

Again, if you can find where in Joying's software they are monitoring the sound levels of Android and are maxing it, then you could just modify the Joying software to stop doing that, and you can use a remote or an app that can change the volume (since Joying's knob/buttons doesn't do it, and even their Speaker Icon on the notification bar doesn't do it, as those only control the MCU's volume). Then the DAC will work fine. I know this because I disabled the software that maxes out the Android system volume, and the U202 worked great... but sadly, that same software is what streams the sound to the MCU, and does a lot of other things unseen and sadly, again, the knob does not work to change the volume.

Obviously, the best solution would be to try to get Joying's knob and buttons to do it as it's more convenient.

My unit has no hardware knobs, only touchscreen buttons which means software behind: https://www.carjoying.com/eu-wareho...android-5-1-1-lollipop-bluetooth-4-0-aud.html
you are right, the joying seems to work like a DAC with digital volume control as it max. the level of the input before their internal DAC and USB port gets excatly that stream out to the DAC. So you would need a dac with analog volume control means the joying max the input to the DAC, the digital info is transfered into analog and only then at the end the preamp of the DAC is controling the volume that leave the DAC. That the joying is not able to oversteer the external USB-DAC you need an asynchron one who takes over the control. This dac should be controlable by an app which you can give the master volume of the touchbuttons on the screen.
If you have an digital volume controlled DAC as the UAC 202, the DAC gets always the full volume as it is controlled by the joying. But if the input level doesn't matter because the analog preamp afterwards controls it, the joying can do what it wants.

What happens if you use/connect your system to the headphone output of the Behringer which you can control by the volume button of the build in headphone preamp? If you can adjust the volume with this volume button, then you can be quite sure you need an analog volume controlled asynchron DAC as he does exactly the same but the volume can be controlled via software. this would be a suitable one: https://hifimediy.com/U2-DAC

or the gladen DSP 4to6 could be used, then you can integrate digital and analog outputs and volume control via App or the hardware remote volume knob

 

[frankienones]

KODI - Volume control

Hi, an interesting note :
I was not aware of it (never touched it) , but KODI has a volume slider control.
This does control the volume out from my external dac And it is not reset by Joying HU

Joying's volume control has no effect.
But when disconnecting the DAC , after setting a volume of , say 50% inside KODI, the volume from the head unit is 50% of the current setting of Joying's volume control (..still using KODI app)
..does this make any sense ?

 

[kampfschachtel]

Hi, an interesting note :
I was not aware of it (never touched it) , but KODI has a volume slider control.
This does control the volume out from my external dac And it is not reset by Joying HU

Joying's volume control has no effect.
But when disconnecting the DAC , after setting a volume of , say 50% inside KODI, the volume from the head unit is 50% of the current setting of Joying's volume control (..still using KODI app)
..does this make any sense ?

yes it makes a lot sense. The Kodi app is able to take over the volume control of the DAC and Joying, if DAC is present it gets priority, if you unplug it Kodi uses this 50% as value for the volume setting for joying. I assume Kodi uses the standard AISO volume control which both units seam to work with.
This confirms that joying usb volume control is not recognized by the DAC so the joying "only recognizes" the output need to be delivered to internal DAC which triggers the joying control to max. volume due to Joying has a analog volume controlled DAC. With Kodi the joying unit knows a DAC is connected and disables the joying volume control.

 

[kampfschachtel]

Is there an app which replaces the 3-Band Equalizer to min 11Band, better 15 Band?
Means it works on the output of the joying doesn't matter if I use Spotify, FMRadio or Navi and not only inside a player app.

 

[AssassinsLament]

Hi, an interesting note :
I was not aware of it (never touched it) , but KODI has a volume slider control.
This does control the volume out from my external dac And it is not reset by Joying HU

Joying's volume control has no effect.
But when disconnecting the DAC , after setting a volume of , say 50% inside KODI, the volume from the head unit is 50% of the current setting of Joying's volume control (..still using KODI app)
..does this make any sense ?

What Joying headunit model do you have? Might be the difference in models and their different Joying software. But that's good news for you since you don't have to worry about the volume automatically changing back to max.

The part about the 50% is I think when you set Android's volume to 50%, that basically is 50% of what Joying is expecting, which is max. I suppose if you change it back to 100% before or after you disconnect the dac, it should be back to normal?

EDIT:

Might even be that KODI has it's own way of processing the volume. Might be a good idea to try to change the volume in android with an app like the one I linked before.

 

[frankienones]

What Joying headunit model do you have? Might be the difference in models and their different Joying software. But that's good news for you since you don't have to worry about the volume automatically changing back to max.

The part about the 50% is I think when you set Android's volume to 50%, that basically is 50% of what Joying is expecting, which is max. I suppose if you change it back to 100% before or after you disconnect the dac, it should be back to normal?

..thats right . If i leave KODI at 100% , the volume will be as normal , when the DAC is unplugged (Normal , as in Joying's control)
I have the version with 10.1" screen - no rotary buttons etc. This One

 

[AssassinsLament]

..thats right . If i leave KODI at 100% , the volume will be as normal , when the DAC is unplugged (Normal , as in Joying's control)
I have the version with 10.1" screen - no rotary buttons etc. This One

Well that rules out KODI having it's own volume processing since the volume does change system wide. So yeah, android's volume does effect Joying's final volume, which makes sense as to why they program their software to automatically set android's volume to max, at least on my unit. I have the JY-UL124N2, I'll have to check if they have the same firmware.

EDIT:

Same firmware. What version of the firmware are you on? The latest March 14th?

 

[AssassinsLament]

Ok, I just tested KODI and it seems they have their own volume processing. When I change the volume on KODI, the media that KODI plays certainly changes volume also, but when I look and play music outside of KODI, the volume is still max. Have you tried playing media with kodi closed?

 

[frankienones]

Ok, I just tested KODI and it seems they have their own volume processing. When I change the volume on KODI, the media that KODI plays certainly changes volume also, but when I look and play music outside of KODI, the volume is still max. Have you tried playing media with kodi closed?

I only used the DAB+ radio App , and then the volume was back to max.. .
It is my finding as well.. that it will only work inside KODI . It will be useless , but interesting

 

[AssassinsLament]

I only used the DAB+ radio App , and then the volume was back to max.. .
It is my finding as well.. that it will only work inside KODI . It will be useless , but interesting

Yeah, so my thoughts were correct... KODI has it's own built in volume processing.