Question What dongle DAC for high-res music?
- Thread starter q1nt
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I use a moshi usb-c dac
us.moshi.com
USB-C Digital Audio Adapter with Charging (Universal)
Newly updated for maximum compatibility across all USB-C devices, including the iPad Pro (USB-C). Listen to pristine, high-resolution audio using regular 3.5 mm headphones. A USB-C pass-through port lets you charge your device at the same time.
I use two regularly, an IFI Hip Dac, and a Topping NX4. As for the music, when I'm streaming, I use Apple Music which will give you the option to play the songs in hi res if you have a DAC connected. I used Amazon Music HD for years before that, and have always been a life long Android fan, so never even considered Apple Music. So as much as I don't really care for Apple or their products, I have it to hand it to them on the music front. They do something with their mastering of some of the albums (called Apple Masters or something), that, to my ears, just sound better than on Amazon.
That being said, I also have a qobuz subscription, but don't use their app. Instead, I use a script from GitHub called Qobuz-dl, which allows me to download the hi res music in FLAC form. All the music I download goes to my NAS, and from there, I connect it to apps like USB Audio Player Pro, Jellyfin, Plex, etc, and listen to it that way.
That being said, I also have a qobuz subscription, but don't use their app. Instead, I use a script from GitHub called Qobuz-dl, which allows me to download the hi res music in FLAC form. All the music I download goes to my NAS, and from there, I connect it to apps like USB Audio Player Pro, Jellyfin, Plex, etc, and listen to it that way.
@mattprice86 Did you have compatibility problems with your DACs before Google released the USB update in June? On P6Pro I'm also using Apple Music and surprised how good it is. Using
the Apple USB-C DAC, too, which works fine but is limited to 16bit/44-48kHz on Android AFAIK. So I'm looking for a dongle that does high-res streaming and better sound quality. Something like the Hidizs S3 Pro but I'm hesitating to drop the cash because of the USB issues the P6 has had
the Apple USB-C DAC, too, which works fine but is limited to 16bit/44-48kHz on Android AFAIK. So I'm looking for a dongle that does high-res streaming and better sound quality. Something like the Hidizs S3 Pro but I'm hesitating to drop the cash because of the USB issues the P6 has had
Yea I did. It was unusable for me prior to the update in June. I can't remember exactly what they did every time I tried to play music, but it was something like the sound would keep cutting out, or it'd start to play a noise over the music. I just remember having to turn it off right away. I ended up switching over to my LG V40 for my music until the patch came out. I actually still use the V40 frequently now, because it has Viper4Android, and I like to load autoeq profiles for my IEMs with the convolver.
I never really used dongle DACs, tbh. I forgot to mention this in my last post, but I also have a Fiio BTR5, which would be the closest thing, size wise, to a dongle DAC, that I use with my phones, and it works really well too.
That S3 pro looks like it'd be ok too. It's using an ESS9281C DAC chip. I haven't heard that particular chip, but ESS sabre chips are in my Fiio and my Topping NX4, and I like them. They have a brighter sound than something like a Burr Brown chip, that are used in Hip DACs.
@mattprice86 Thx that's super helpful--think I'll give the S3 a try. We've got similar tastes--I have a bricked V20 I used for years and still hoping to resurrect when I get a chance
I'm on Fiio KA-3, never had any compatibility issues with it, oddly an app hiby I think caused issues detecting it but otherwise it's been great.
Just Spotify high quality and download lots of flac to throw in media server
Just Spotify high quality and download lots of flac to throw in media server
How's the btr5 is it '21 edition? I'm aiming for the older one. I don't need to be thattt bleeding edge. I kind of shifted from iems over to my home audio which was a mistake because there is so many more in variables than headphones
arvylas
Senior Member
Another vote for btr5 from fiio. It's excellent. I also have the btr3 but the 5 is much better in every way for both wired and wireless playback.
Reporting back... I pulled the trigger and bought a Hidizs S3 Pro. Works and sounds great. Blue LED lights up for streaming 96kHz tracks directly through the Qobuz app. I'm not using UAPP so apparently Qobuz app can stream in USB exclusive mode. P6 Pro with GrapheneOS
