Smartphone & Car Stereo - how to get best sound?

[testwork]

Well, the Behringer DAC has half-way decent reviews. For the $30 price it's considered a "bargain".
I'm starting out with it instead of going with a more expensive DAC. Just so I can make sure this all works the way I want. Supposedly I'll get all notification, GPS and other audio transmitted through the DAC. But might have trouble with hands-free calling.

There is a HUGE list of Android working DAC's here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/300#post_8700170

This is a thread that shows you how to make a DIY USB-OTG cable, which is required to get the Galaxy SIII to output digital audio so you can use it with a DAC.
But, there are similar cables on eBay for just $10 or less that are pre-made.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1828032


If you have a Galaxy SIII, then here is the official "Sound Quality" thread. Tons and tons of DAC talk in it. But the first link I posted above is probably a better one.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633685

 

[testwork]

Here is the DAC I want. It's tiny, and has been compared with >$300 DAC's. But it's only $55. However, you have to wait a few weeks for it to ship from China or someplace.

Here is one DAC using a well-liked chipset that is designed SPECIFICALLY for Android:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/390#post_8738656

Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBa

AudioQuest Bumblebee Android DAC:
http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/audioquest/1220/bumblebee/bumblebee.asp


"Designed specifically for Android devices
24-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip
Supports all music files including 24-bit/192kHz lossless
Drives headphones directly with 3.5mm mini-jack output
Fixed or Variable output modes
Asynchronous transfer for accurate digital timing
64-position (computer-controlled) analog volume control
Isolated dual master clocks
Colour changing LED to indicate source sample rate"

I am wondering if the AudioQuest Bumblebee Android DAC is a standard self-powered USB DAC or an Android-specific USB DAC.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/135

The AudioQuest Bumblebee should be likely an AudioQuest DragonFly with built-in rechargeable battery, because it "supports all music files including 24-bit/192kHz lossless".
http://www.head-fi.org/t/617241/audioquest-dragonfly-review-affordable-outstanding-tiny-dac-amp
http://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-dragonfly-usb-da-converter

And an Android-specific USB DAC can support only 16-bit/44.1kHz:
http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/aoa2.html#audio-support


If the AudioQuest Bumblebee is a standard USB DAC, while using with a PC or a Mac, the sound quality of the AudioQuest Bumblebee should be superior to the sound quality of the AudioQuest DragonFly thanks to a clean battery power.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/165#post_8540151

 

[testwork]

Okay, it's all working pretty well so far. Here is a copy/paste of my thread I just posted on the Android XDA forums:

------------------------------

So, you're like me and you want to use your North American Galaxy S3 with your car stereo to stream Pandora, play MP3's and listen to your phones Navigation directions.

But, Bluetooth obviously sucks for so many reasons.
And the USB analog audio output has too many clicks/clacks and otherwise degraded sound.

So what do you do? You're an audiophile (or a wanna-be like me) and NEED better, cleaner sound!
Well, here is how you can get near audiophile quality sound from your GS3 to your car stereo.


1) Purchase an external USB DAC (digital to audio converter). This takes your phone's digital audio and cleanly converts it to analog audio for your car stereo to handle.
So why don't we just use the phone's internal DAC? Well, because it's a cheapy, crappy sounding Yamaha DAC. Samsung cheaped out on us! So we're using a BETTER DAC instead.

I bought the Behringer UCA202 USB DAC for just $30 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160904879602?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


2) Now you need to get the digital audio out of your phone and into the external DAC! And you also need to make sure your phone still charges! So I bought this USB-OTG cable that has a charging adapter. It's just $10 shipped:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160912100776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


3) And then you need a dual-RCA to 3.5mm cable to get the analog audio from the DAC into the Car Stereo! I used one similar to this $3 shipped one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-FT-3-5mm-...=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item2a134140b0



And so what are the results you ask?

HOLY MOLY!
Not only is the audio quality MUCH improved, but the sound is so CLEAN now. No clicks, burps, or any other weird background noises. Just straight CD quality background silence.
Even my GPS voice sounds prettier. hahah
Bass is tighter and deeper. Highs are more revealing. Everything is so much better that a novice could tell it sounds better.

And yes, GPS navigation works perfectly. If I'm listening to Pandora or an MP3 and my GPS needs to talk, then my music will go several db quieter and GPS will speak up, then afterwards the music will automatically go back to full volume.

Also, one thing I hated about Bluetooth was everytime I turned my car off for just a minute, when I would power it back on the Bluetooth would not consistently reconnect. Well, this USB-OTG has been very consistent for me so far. Music just picks back up where it left off at and is fairly quick to do so.

Cons? Well, I haven't tested hands free calling yet. But I'm told it doesn't work with this USB-OTG to DAC configuration. Maybe there is a bluetooth solution for that. I dunno? And AOSP does not yet support DACs.

Pros? Freakin everything.

Pics are below.


Here is the DAC and the USB-OTG cable:

This is how you configure the DAC. You can probably also use the headphones output instead of the stereo RCA, but I didn't try it.

I wired up my USB-OTG cable to my iBOLT dock. It comes up through my dash defrost vents.

This is what the three connectors on the USB-OTG cable look like:

Here is the DAC being wired up. I taped up the non-used RCA's to prevent anything bugging with them.

I wrapped up the DAC with DUCT tape.

Hid it behind my dash.

Here is the USB-OTG cable with my iBOLT dock.

The car stereo w/audio cable attached. Some car stereos have the 3.5mm connector in the back. Or a dual-RCA input. I'd prefer one of those to have a cleaner install. Maybe someday I'll upgrade my car stereo.

And here is the finished product. My S3 docked, charging and outputing beautiful digital music!

LINKS:

How to make your own USB-OTG cable with power:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1828032

List of compatible DACs:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/300#post_8700170

The official Galaxy S3 sound quality thread (TONS of info!!!):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633685&page=2