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Author Topic: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?  (Read 1140 times)

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Skyline

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Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« on: March 29, 2015, 09:03:20 PM »
Hey all...subject says it all.

I expect to get a tablet for my birthday this year, and am wondering what a nice/simple dac/amp would be to cart around with it.  I want to keep it on the cheap side of things (sub $200) and won't be driving anything beefy...most likely my DT1350s.

Thanks!
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Deep Funk

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2015, 03:35:46 AM »
What connections do you have on your particular Galaxy tablet?

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Skyline

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2015, 01:59:57 PM »
Quote from: Deep Funk on March 30, 2015, 03:35:46 AM
What connections do you have on your particular Galaxy tablet?


Haven't gotten it yet.  Just planning ahead.

But, I'll be using a micro USB OTG.
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lm4der

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2015, 04:38:49 PM »
For the portable solution, I use USB OTG from my Samsung Galaxy S5 phone with the Audioquest Dragonfly v1.2, driving Shure SRH840s.  It's about $150 on amazon, so it would fit your price range. I did have to purchase an app called USB Audio Player Pro for this to work (it wasn't expensive, like $10).  It has a built in USB audio driver, which is needed for many dacs, as Android still doesn't have proper support for USB audio (even in lollipop).  Some DAC/Amps will work on just the standard Android players, like the FIIO e07k, which is less than $100.

I like the Dragonfly for this purpose, it's nice and small, but there may be better dacs in the sub $200 range.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2015, 03:41:19 AM by lmader »
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Skyline

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2015, 08:03:48 PM »
Quote from: lmader on March 30, 2015, 04:38:49 PM
For the portable solution, I use USB OTG from my Samsung Galaxy S5 phone with the Audioquest Dragonfly v1.2, driving Shure SRH840s.  It's about $150 on amazon, so it would fit your price range. I did have to purchase an app called USB Audio Player Pro for this to work (it wasn't expensive, like $10).  It has a built USB audio driver, which is needed for many dacs, as Android still doesn't have proper support for USB audio (even in lollipop).  Some DAC/Amps will work on just the standard Android players, like the FIIO e07k, which is less than $100.

I like the Dragonfly for this purpose, it's nice and small, but there may be better dacs in the sub $200 range.
Thanks, I'll give that a look.  How do you connect the devices since the dragonfly is regular usb?

I'm tempted by something like the Fiio E18 since the price is right and it's designed specifically for Android devices. 
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lm4der

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2015, 08:18:50 PM »
You will need a micro USB OTG cable for any of these dacs, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Micro-USB-Adapter/dp/B00GM0OZ4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427745932&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+cable+otg

The E18 does seem cool.  It has the benefit of having a battery, which spares your phone/tablet, and can act as mobile charger.  On the other hand you have to charge it.  It probably delivers more power than the Dragonfly, but it's bulkier of course.

I'm curious what others recommend in this space too.
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Skyline

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2015, 12:32:33 AM »
Quote from: lmader on March 30, 2015, 08:18:50 PM
You will need a micro USB OTG cable for any of these dacs, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Micro-USB-Adapter/dp/B00GM0OZ4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427745932&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+cable+otg

The E18 does seem cool.  It has the benefit of having a battery, which spares your phone/tablet, and can act as mobile charger.  On the other hand you have to charge it.  It probably delivers more power than the Dragonfly, but it's bulkier of course.

I'm curious what others recommend in this space too.
I'm a moron.  I always thought the OTG cables were micro to micro. 

I do like that the E18 has charging capabilities.  With so many new products out there, though, I just want to make sure I'm not missing something spectacular in the price bracket. 
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lm4der

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2015, 03:52:18 AM »
Quote from: Skyline on March 31, 2015, 12:32:33 AM
With so many new products out there, though, I just want to make sure I'm not missing something spectacular in the price bracket. 

Yeah, good call.  Anyone? Bueller, Bueller...
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lm4der

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Re: Galaxy Tab S - good portable dac/amp?
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2015, 12:13:58 AM »
BTW, I have no experience with, but have heard a lot of good things about the Geek Out 450.  $199.  Something to consider...
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