Android & USB audio output

[RampantAndroid]

Hi all,

I've been reading around and it seems like the Galaxy S3 I have on the way supports things like the Fiio E7 - a USB DAC. Which for me is great, because I could use it at work, but what interests me more is the idea of something similar in my car:

I want to be able to use my S3 for music AND charge it simultaneously...without using Bluetooth. Is this possible? Can I build it myself?

Ideally, the solution would take in 5V or 12V (though I can build my own voltage regulation) and turn on as soon as there is power...and then connect to the device. Similar to what my existing Zune car kit does already - connects with the dock connector, bypasses the built in DAC and spits out better quality audio.

Does anyone know how to do this?

Thanks!

 

[jonny13]

Not sure how to do this yourself, but I know on my Razr, the stock Motorola vehicle dock has one USB cable that plugs into it and it charges and sends audio out to the AUX port. Works great. Not sure if something like that is available for the S3 though.

 

[Raghu]

The OTG spec says its possible with special cable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_On-The-Go

Read the section on "OTG Micro Plugs"

The cable should be available somewhere I hope. Otherwise the wiring seems doable with passives.

 

[sygyzy]

It's not as easy as it sounds. Every Android device and build has a different implementation. You need to have the right kernel/drivers, device, cable, and then DAC. Check Head-Fi for a lengthy thread.

 

[vshah]

once your s3 gets 4.1, it will support the new audio over usb standard introduced in jelly bean. however, i don't think there's a single accessory on the market that uses that at this time. in addition, it currently only supports 16bit 48khz stereo - not sure if you were looking for something more. that wouldbe way better than bluetooth.

does the gs3 support the new aptx bluetooth codec (much higher quality than standard a2dp)? if so you could get something like the new htc music receiver, which also supports aptx.

 

[sygyzy]

You wouldn't rely on an accessory, made specifically for the S3. Unlike Apple products which rely on proprietary docks/accessories, you'd simply hook up a USB OTG cable to the S3, then connect that to a USB DAC like the FiiO. But like I said, it's more complicated than that.

 

[vshah]

You wouldn't rely on an accessory, made specifically for the S3. Unlike Apple products which rely on proprietary docks/accessories, you'd simply hook up a USB OTG cable to the S3, then connect that to a USB DAC like the FiiO. But like I said, it's more complicated than that.

Do you know of a way to actually get this working on a galaxy nexus?