[BobM]

Will the Dragonfly DAC, or similar, work with my Android based Galaxy S3 phone? I would like to play the music stored on the phone into my main system but with better sound than what comes out of its mini jack.

Thanks,
Bob

[Charles Xavier]

This one will

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=124

[Charles Xavier]

And i really don't see how the dragonfly would attatch to the phone. I checked he website and it makes no mention of being android compatible.

[BobM]

HiFimeDIY Sabre Android DAC $29.99

Wow - super cheap too.  Uses a Sabre DAC chip:

Highlights about Sabre ES9023 dac chip:
 - The sound go straight out of the DAC chip and into your headphones or amplifier. It is not needed that the sound signal go through a capacitor to remove a DC voltage, there is no DC voltage to remove! This omits the need of a coloring cap which adds costs and reduces sound quality.
- Jitter Eliminator! The ES9023 utilISed patented HyperstreamTM architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator.
 - 112db DNR

One review comments on the sound: beautiful sound from such a small simple DAC. it worked perfectly and easily the first time i plugged it into my galaxy s3. the sound is great, with lots of separation and detail. it's even better than the headphone out on the galaxy, which has a very clear open sound already.
Another says:  sounds is so much better than the stock headphone jack

I may just have to check this little cheapo out.

[Charles Xavier]

Let us know if it works

[BobM]

I received this back from Audioquest ...

Thanks for your question. The Dragonfly was not designed for use with smartphones. There are some future products that will be of interest to Samsung people, but for now we can’t provide your solution.

I guess that answers that, for this little DAC anyway.

[BobM]

No other takers on this question, eh? I also see this little DAC on Amazon that works with Android ...

FiiO Kunlun

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GCDJBMM/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1X9161CND6C34YX5GD4W&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

[Doublej]

I think this link has the detailed information you are looking for.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/4185

You need three things:

First a proper physical connection. This can usually be achieved with an adapter cable, such as a USB to micro USB, if needed.

Second you need the DAC to have an driver for the specific version of the Android operating system.

Third if the DAC draws a lot of power you might want a external power source for the DAC to not drain the battery so quickly. I am not 100% sure how this is done with a phone. I think you can use a powered USB hub just like you would do for a computer.

It will be MUCH simpler to use a Bluetooth receiver instead of a DAC.  It connects the Samsung wirelessly to your main rig. You'll want one with using aptX like this Outlaw.

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/btr100.html

Hope this helps.

[jarcher]

TEAC has a portable headphone amp / DAC that supports Android + I-devices natively via it's usb port. You use a minijack to RCA cable (Audioquest / Wireworld / more) or a minjack to RCA adaptor (radioshack etc).

So you can have a multi purpose device : headphone amp, DAC (for smartphone + computer via USB or mini toslink), phone charger, all for $300 retail.  Have been demoing one for while and it's quite decent.  AQ dragonfly has more slam, but this one's more refined and versatile. 

http://www.teac.com/product/ha-p50/

[BobM]

This one will

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=124

I ordered this about 2 weeks ago, then we left on vacation. I got back today and picked up our mail and there it was in a little bubble pack. Very tiny. No instructions. I plugged it into the phone's USB and then into the jack on my upstairs system and ...

Wow - there's the BASS, man. Much better detail and a soundstage and transparency than the standard earphone jack on the phone. I had to turn it down because it puts out a lot more gain. I'm also guessing that it will improve a bit as it breaks in but it does indeed sound damn great right now after about 1/2 hour.

No idea how it might compare to a real DAC on the downstairs (main) system - maybe some day in the future, but this is a no brainer for $30. If you have an Android phone and want to play the music on it then seriously just buy this.

[mresseguie]

Hi, Bob.

Thank you for the update. I've got an S3 as well. This unit looks interesting.

I may be upgrading to a Note or S5 in two months, and I notice this particular unit does not list either phone as compatible. Later today (when I have more time and less yard work) I will see if other products are offered which are compatible with either of the above phones.

Enjoy!

Michael