Enable USB audio on any Android 4.0 smartphone/tablet

post #61 of 148

9/17/12 at 3:53pm

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post #62 of 148

9/17/12 at 3:58pm

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Samsung Galaxy S III & Objective DAC:
http://nwavguy.blogspot.fr/2012/05/odac-may-update.html
http://nwavguy.blogspot.fr/2012/04/odac-released.html

stock Galaxy S III > digital audio stream >> ODAC (i.e. Epiphany Acoustics E-DAC) >> Neco V3

ODAC:
http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Epiphany-Acoustics-E-DAC-24-bit-USB-DAC-Review_339/Review.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/611778/brief-odac-impressions

Neco V3:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/75
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/new-V3-DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier/140847730118?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=004&category=14970&cmd=ViewItem

ODAC + Neco V3:
"It is by far the best usb dac i have ever owned. No thoughts of bothering to look for an upgrade. At my age i am sure it will see me out.
Using it with a Neco Soundlab V3 and Grado SR-325is's.Nirvana at last...."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/619309/epiphany-acoustics-e-dac-review-thread#post_8684811

"ODAC + NECO V.3 + Sennheiser HD580 = A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.
I can't tell you how beautiful this rig sounds. We all know how well the HD580/600 scales with better sources and amps.. but synergy is often undervalued. The ODAC is beautifully resolving and clean.. but the Neco really steals the show, IMO."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/105#post_8549304

"It's downright disturbing how incredible this combo sounds with the HE-500. In fact, it should probably be illegal (**looks at Arizona**).
When driving the HE-500. I like this combo more than the O2."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513233/neco-soundlabs-portable-v-2-amp/105#post_8478902

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post #63 of 148

9/19/12 at 5:01pm

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VentureCraft sees potential in Android & standard USB audio.
VentureCraft delays the release date of its latest headphone amplifier Go-Dap X in order to modify it so that it can interwork with the Samsung Galaxy S3.

"Go-Dap X releasing date in stores will be on Sep. 25th due to this Galaxy S3 modification."
http://www.venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/index.php

stock Samsung Galaxy S3 > digital audio stream >> short USB OTG cable from VentureCraft >> Go-Dap X USB DAC/amp >> headphones

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post #64 of 148

9/21/12 at 3:37pm

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Samsung Galaxy S III & Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2D miniature desktop headphone amplifier with USB DAC:
http://www.totallydubbed.net/2012/09/17/unboxing-pictures-initial-impressions-of-the-epiphany-acoustics-ehp-o2d-dac-headphone-amplifier-mj2-interconnect/
http://noblehifi.blogspot.fr/2012/07/epiphany-acoustics-ehp-02d-review.html
http://hifipig.com/epiphany-acoustics-ehp-o2-portable-headphone-amplifier/
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-products/heaphone-amplifiers/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/

Samsung Galaxy S III > digital audio out >> USB OTG cable >> Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2D (i.e. ODAC + O2) >> Denon AH-D2000

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post #65 of 148

9/23/12 at 1:13am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & affordable tiny Stoner Acoustics UD100:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/70075257-post210.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626632/tiny-dac-big-sound-impression-of-stoner-acoustics-ud100-vs-odac
http://stoneracoustics.blogspot.fr/

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> UD100 >> Sennheiser IE80

Like the ODAC, the heart of the Stoner Acoustics UD100 is the 24-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip.
http://www.esstech.com/PDF/ES9023%20PB%20Rev%200.2aPB%20110117.pdf

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post #66 of 148

9/27/12 at 1:18pm

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Samsung Galaxy S III & xDuoo XP-1 USB DAC/amp:
Report
xDuoo XP-1

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> xDuoo XP-1 >> headphones

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post #67 of 148

9/29/12 at 5:16am

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A guy sees the paradise with his rig "S3+ODAC without amp+Sennheiser HD800":
http://www.head-fi.org/t/611778/brief-odac-impressions/1020#post_8715689

S3 > digital USB audio out >> ODAC >> Sennheiser HD 800 headphones

"Well, I put sennheiser hd 800 directly on the ephifany edac.
I see the paradise.
Yes, in my s3 with neutron player I had to down the volune of 7-8 db, this, in theory, not very good, but I am very surprised about the super fantastic quality of sound out of my S3 with syhas kernel.
I am not crazy, please try this with high impedence headphone and share your experience."

The ODAC has the same ESS Sabre chip than UD100, AudioQuest DragonFly, Hifimediy Sabre:
http://www.esstech.com/PDF/ES9023%20PB%20Rev%200.2aPB%20110117.pdf
http://www.head-fi.org/t/617241/audioquest-dragonfly-review-affordable-outstanding-tiny-dac-amp
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=83
http://nwavguy.blogspot.fr/
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-meet/220114-cases-odac-bamboo-acrylic.html

Edited by DanBa - 9/29/12 at 5:53am

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post #68 of 148

9/29/12 at 7:06am

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It might be relevant that Onkyo has an android app that streams audio files from Android smartphones to Onkyo pre-pros/receivers over wifi. This might circumvent the DAC in the smartphone, I don't know.

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post #69 of 148

9/30/12 at 3:58am

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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
Edited by DanBa - 9/30/12 at 5:05am

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post #70 of 148

10/4/12 at 1:15pm

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The standard USB audio is also enabled on stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-powered Samsung Galaxy Note II:
http://www.eprice.com.tw/mobile/talk/4523/4815783/1/1/

stock Galaxy Note II > digital USB audio out >> iBasso D12 Hj >> Westone UM3X

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post #71 of 148

10/6/12 at 8:57am

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Yet another Stoner Acoustics UD100-based rig with FitEar TO GO! 334, the best in-ear headphone in the world according to Steve Guttenberg:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/975#post_8754519
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57486297-47/the-best-in-ear-headphone-in-the-world-the-fitear-togo-334/

stock Samsung Galaxy S3 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> UD100 USB DAC >> Pico Slim amp >> FitEar TO GO! 334 IEM

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post #72 of 148

10/11/12 at 3:42am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & Matrix Mini-i:
http://www.headfonia.com/matrix-mini-i-balanced-dac/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/465#post_8768166

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> Matrix Mini-i >> headphones or amp

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post #73 of 148

10/13/12 at 4:33am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & HeadAmp Pico USB DAC/amp:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/pictures-of-your-portable-rig-part-xv/7080#post_8757544

stock Samsung Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> micro-A male to type-A female USB cable + type-A male to mini-B male USB adapter >> HeadAmp Pico >> V-Moda M-80

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post #74 of 148

10/18/12 at 2:11pm

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Samsung Galaxy S III & HeadStage USB DAC cable:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/552014/pictures-of-your-portable-rig-part-xv/7245#post_8777990

stock Samsung Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> HeadStage USB DAC cable >> RSA Protector amp >> JH Audio JH13

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post #75 of 148

10/21/12 at 1:57am

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Custom Stoner Acoustics UD100 based on 24-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626632/tiny-dac-big-sound-impression-of-stoner-acoustics-ud100-vs-odac/75#post_8784763

stock Samsung Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> custom UD100 cable >> amp >> headphones

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post #76 of 148

10/26/12 at 3:57pm

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The Galaxy Note II can work with the FiiO E7. It can't operate with the CEntrance DACport LX:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/600#post_8804406

stock Galaxy Note II > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> FiiO E7 USB DAC/amp >> Sennheiser HD598 headphones

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post #77 of 148

10/27/12 at 4:58am

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About Android-specific USB audio:
"As of now, the standard Android releases do not include USB host support. Samsung decided to add this feature on their own. The Android folks are working on a funky USB dock protocol that works over USB (sort of like what Apple does) that, frankly, most of us developers think is stupid. There is certainly a push to put USB host support for standard devices (like audio, keyboards, etc.) into the normal Android releases."
[Pete Millett, design engineer from Apex Hi-Fi]
Apex Glacier amp/dac review and appreciation thread

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post #78 of 148

10/28/12 at 10:50am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & Apex Glacier:
http://www.ttvjaudio.com/Apex_High_Fi_Audio_Glacier_portable_headphone_amp_p/aaa0000010.htm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/632019/apex-glacier-amp-dac-review-and-appreciation-thread/75#post_8814974

Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> Apex Glacier USB DAC/amp

Galaxy S III : 13,6 cm * 7 cm * 0,8 cm
Apex Glacier : 11,4 cm * 6,5 cm * 0,9 cm

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post #79 of 148

11/2/12 at 10:59am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & Apex Glacier USB DAC/amp:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/633511/pictures-of-your-portable-rig-part-xvi/120#post_8832919

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (micro-A plug inserted in the Note II) >> Apex Glacier >> headphones

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post #80 of 148

11/10/12 at 4:49am

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Galaxy Note II & Headstage Lyrix Pro USB total :
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/795#post_8854850

stock Galaxy Note II > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (micro-A plug inserted in the Note II) >> Headstage Lyrix Pro USB total USB DAC/amp >> Beyerdynamic DT-770 Premium

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post #81 of 148

11/20/12 at 8:46am

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Samsung Galaxy S III & planar magnetic Audeze LCD-2:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/855#post_8873554

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (micro-A plug inserted in the Note II) >> RSA Intruder >> Audeze LCD-2 headphones

"The LCD-2's sound phenomenal in balanced mode off the Intruder... Yum."

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post #82 of 148

12/4/12 at 4:47pm

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Samsung Galaxy Note II / S III & FiiO E07K USB DAC/amp:
http://fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?MenuID=020302
http://www.head-fi.org/t/638910/new-fiio-e07k-andes-information-and-impressions/15#post_8924515

stock Galaxy Note II / S III > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable >> FiiO E07K Andes >> headphones

Edited by DanBa - 12/7/12 at 5:10pm

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post #83 of 148

12/7/12 at 5:35pm

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The $43 Samsung Galaxy S3 + Car Stereo Upgrade for WAaaY better sound quality!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/639883/the-43-galaxy-s3-car-stereo-upgrade-for-waaay-better-sound-quality

Galaxy S3 > digital USB audio out >> "USB OTG" cable >> Behringer UCA202 USB DAC >> car stereo amp >> car stereo speakers

"...
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.
Not sure how or why the pic is sideways. It looks normal on my desktop.

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!

.." [CZ Eddie]

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post #84 of 148

12/9/12 at 4:11am

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 & USB audio:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2452730&view=findpost&p=56402502

stock Galaxy Note 10.1 > digital USB audio out >> "USB OTG" cable >> Stoner Acoustics UD100 USB DAC >> cMoyBB amp >> headphones

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post #85 of 148

12/9/12 at 4:21am

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Topping D1 Mark II review:
http://translate.google.fr/translate?hl=fr&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Foldnewsound.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Ftopping-d1-mark-ii.html

stock Galaxy S III > digital USB audio out >> "USB OTG" cable >> Topping D1 Mark II USB DAC/amp >> headphones

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post #86 of 148

12/15/12 at 2:56am

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USB Audio Recorder PRO: "USB audio recording and playback now finally possible on Android devices!"
"Supported are mono and stereo streams, 16-bit and 24-bit and any sample rate (up to 192kHz) that the device provides."
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudiorecorderpro
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/1020

Some USB DACs, like the FiiO E17, not working with stock USB audio software, can interwork with the Samsung Galaxy S3 and other Android devices using USB Audio Recorder PRO:

music stored on Galaxy S3 > USB Audio Recorder PRO player > digital USB audio out >> "USB OTG" cable >> FiiO E17 >> headphones

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post #87 of 148

12/20/12 at 3:19pm

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Unique Melody Platform Pure 6 & Samsung Galaxy S3 using USB Audio Recorder PRO:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/613417/unique-melody-platform-pure-6-pp6-discussion-appreciation-tour-thread/360#post_8965862

music stored on stock Galaxy S3 > USB Audio Recorder PRO player > digital USB audio out >> "USB OTG" cable >> Unique Melody PP6 > custom IEM

"You have no idea how happy I am right now."

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post #88 of 148

12/22/12 at 4:48pm

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24/96 music & USB Audio Recorder PRO app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudiorecorderpro&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5leHRyZWFtc2QudXNiYXVkaW9yZWNvcmRlcnBybyJd
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-highwire.aspx

music stored on Samsung Galaxy S3 > USB Audio Recorder PRO player >> ODAC

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post #89 of 148

12/25/12 at 4:25am

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USB audio & Android

USB standard (audio, mass storage, etc.) driver supported on stock Galaxy S3 / Note2
"As long as the kernel on the Android device supported the USB standard driver of the hardware (mass storage, input, etc.), Android would be able to use it and therefore open up a new range of extra devices compatible with the system."

USB standard (audio, mass storage, etc.) driver not supported:
* Developing your USB standard (audio, etc.) driver at the kernel space
"However, there are many devices that have not been "compatible" from the beginning. For instance, let's say your common RFID reader. It most likely uses a USB-serial port and probably comes with a Linux or Windows driver as well as some software. Most Android tablets will come without the USB-serial driver for your RFID reader however.
Therefore, if you want to load your driver you will need to root your tablet, determine the version of your current kernel, find the kernel sources online, hope that everything compiles to have your driver ready and then load it onto your tablet. In the end, when you finally have your kernel driver running, you will be required to write C code as well as some JNI glue to communicate with your Activity or Service in Android.
All in all, this approach is not very straightforward.

* Writing your own USB "soft driver" at the user space
There is a very elegant solution to aforementioned problem.
It requires far less skills in hacking and porting than the mentioned approach. However, you will require some advanced knowledge in Android programming as well as some USB know-how.
You can write your own "soft driver" in Android. Since the USB Host API has been released, it is now possible to communicate with any USB device using the most commonly seen USB transfers (control, interrupt, bulk).
In the end, your result will be portable across all Android devices that have USB host enabled and have Android version 3.1+. Moreover, this solution does NOT require root access to the tablet or phone. It is currently the only viable solution that does not require the user to have any know-how of rooting/hacking the device and risk losing warranty in the process."
http://android.serverbox.ch/?p=549

A USB audio source code:
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Main_Page
https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/blob/master/sound/usb/card.c#L2
https://github.com/sgs3/GT-I9300_Kernel/tree/master/sound/usb
Edited by DanBa - 1/5/13 at 2:56am

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post #90 of 148

1/5/13 at 3:14am

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