topic Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ? in Z Series

Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

RobertoDS — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:07:39 GMT

Hi to everyone

I wanted to discover opportunity to buy an external AMP for my great headphones, but now, on my Z5, with latest fw.200, I see no more this opportunity

What has changed in this way ?

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:28:28 GMT

Hi @Robertods88,

In the Xperia Z5 you have to go to Settings > Device Connection > USB Connectivity, then choose Detect USB device after you have connect the external amp/DAC. It is also possible to add the option to detect USB device to your quick settings.

As long as the external amp/DAC supports Android without the need of any unique drivers this should allow you to output audio via USB.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

RobertoDS — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:59:00 GMT

And on Z3C ? I know I'm OT here but just for knowing ...

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

ClarkLong — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 02:47:58 GMT

Hi-Res audio output works since Z2

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:36:00 GMT

In a Z3 Compact you should only need to connect the devices without having to enable any setting or similar.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

RobertoDS — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:00:25 GMT

Many thx, I'll be answering here if everything shouldn't be ok

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:01:46 GMT

Let us know if that's the case!

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

lindar_tw — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:18:02 GMT

Does anyone know this function still work on Android 6.0 (my phone is xperia Z5)?

I cannot hear any sound when the phone is connected to AT-PHA100 USB DAC using the general music player.

ps, it works by using "USB Audio Player Pro" App to play local songs.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:51:06 GMT

Hi @lindar_tw,

As far as I know the functionality should still be there. Is your phone able to detect the USB DAC when you choose Detect USB device in Settings > Device Connection > USB Connectivity?

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

lindar_tw2 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:06:53 GMT

Chrstofer,
Yes, USB is connected successfully and therefore USB Audio Player Pro (an excellent music player) can work fine. But when I use other players such as SONY music player, I cannot hear sound from earphone and the music is played from speaker.

Does Z5 with Android 6.0 support USB DAC?

lindar_tw — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 01:31:28 GMT

Does Z5 with Android 6.0 support USB DAC?

I have an xperia Z5 (Android 6.0) and use OTG cable to connect an USB DAC (AT-PHA100). It shows "connected" when I click [Settings]-[...]-[USB Detect]. App "USB Audio Player Pro" works well and the sound go through the DAC in digital way.

My question is: When I use other music players (such as SONY Music App) or streaming services (eq KKBox in Taiwan), the sound is from the phone speaker instead of from DAC.

Is this a problem (Z5 or Android 6.0)? or is it not expected to hear sound via DAC using general music player?

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

lindar_tw — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 08:26:57 GMT

I found some discussion on other forum:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/usb-audio-issue-android-6-0-marshmallow-t3234459

Anyone has comment?

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:30:37 GMT

Looking at the product overview site for the USB DAC that you are using it makes no mention of supporting Android's native drivers. Furthermore, the app that you have been able to use your USB DAC with seems to include specific drivers which is why you can use that app but not the Music app.

For a USB DAC to be able to work with the Music app, or Play Music for that matter, it needs to support the native Android drivers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

dredwinshmkn — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 02:47:19 GMT

I have tried like you before, but I failed to connect my Sony z5 premium to amp dac Fiio E17K. I used otg cable but it didnt work. Do you have any solution of it? I use same apps too.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Christofer — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:20:07 GMT

Hi @dredwinshmkn,

The product page for the device you are using does not mention Android support. I suggest that you contact the producer directly to verify if it supports Android devices or not.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

mannyp — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:16:42 GMT

Why do Sony representatives continue to state incorrect information each time concerning usb audio? Poor training, on the script to deny removing functionaility?

The Z3c on android 4.4 had great hires audio out to a dac, but as usual Sony sold the devices on the premise and then removed the functionaility later on.

The Z3c on android 5 and 6 no longer support hires via usb and its now left to android, the same as every other device that uses android, so I am not sure why Sony keeps highlighting audio as a key selling point for its devices?

The Z5 doesn't have hires support via usb unless this option is available as android downsamples the audio without it.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Bunglebp — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 22:25:58 GMT

I can confirm E17 alpen 2 DAC and Z5 premium work great with UAPP and Sony Apps im currently using right now, I have also just bought SONY MDR1 ADAC headphones and works with the DAC aswell on android 6

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

ClarkLong — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 23:53:38 GMT

@mannyp well that's not because you can't make it work that it's not available 😜 insulting people doing their job, while they try to help you is not nice either.

Anyway, all my Z2,z3,z4,z5, z5p on marshmallow have no issue when coupled with a DAC... So it works... You gotta dig deeper with your DAC that has an issue with android devices

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

mannyp — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 20:32:40 GMT

Never read such nonsense frankly.

It isn't available as its been removed as an option. That is clear as it has gone.

Nothing to do with my dac at all, its to do with the usb driver that has been removed by sony in their later builds.

If support just admitted it had been removed, we'd move on, but they don't they just keep spreading misinformation.

Believe you need to do some reading regarding the in built android support of hires and its downsampling before referring people to their dacs being the issue.

Re: Where's Hi-res Audio via USB ?

Uriel_Z — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 02:33:39 GMT

You are absolutely right manny. There is no option for USB audio anywhere on my Z3. furthermore, I am using a fairly generic Audioquest Dragonfly Black Dac that supports android usb audio. It works on my win10 pc but not my Z3. FurtherMore, the Z3 has a decent Dac built in. The only reason I bought the Dragonfly was because the frickin' headphone jack on the Z3 broke.