Audiophile Phones (Or phones with decent audio output)

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Rotijon, Apr 27, 2017.

  1. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    As above, this is a thread for people like me who cant be arsed to carry around an additional device around. Devices that are being sold at increasing stratospheric prices for what is literally a tiny improvement over a good phones audio output.

    Any recommendations for a phone with a great audio output.
     
  2. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    iPhone.
     
  3. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    With a CCK and a used Dragonfly Red as a bus powered cable-inline upgrade option.
     
  4. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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  5. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    Perhaps, but closely related. I've been through a similar thought process as the OP. I settled on the DF RED as a mild compromise as it's so slim it is essentially inline with the headphone cable, and doesn't require charging. So you basically don't have to think about it, it's part of the headphone. At used prices it's a worthwhile SQ upgrade that can also output 2vrms (unverified) compared to an iPhone's roughly 0.83vrms, without being too painful a cost.

    The iPhone 6S hp out is overly warm, dark, and smoothed-to-f**k. Though I'm sure better than a typical smartphone and decent for what it is.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2017
  6. sinfuzz

    sinfuzz New

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    My rooted LG V20 sounds pretty good when it's not stuttering on high-res files. I was really excited to hop on the 'one device to rule them all' train but my (current approx price) $100 Fiio doesn't stutter or click between tracks. Bummer as it's why I chose this phone last week...
     
  7. Comzee

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    I've swapped between iphone and samsung for awhile now. S3/iphone4/iphone se/s5/iphone 7+
    I've also owned every ipad since the ipad1.

    Imo ymmv, apple products are garbage for audio, really just terrible.
    Samsung S series phones are just head and shoulders above in SQ.

    I assume the best cell product (for SQ) on the market right now is the LG V20, too bad sinfuzz is having troubles with it.
    @sinfuzz Have you tried using Tidal instead of the built in hi-rez app?
     
  8. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Choosing IEMs that sound OK from a phone might make more sense, for those rare times that you need that. Noble-X is pretty decent right out of a phone. When you need moar, break out a decent-quality DAP?
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2017
  9. HHS

    HHS Almost "Made"

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    The LG V20 sounds great for a phone and even has decent output power in high gain mode (though getting it there with low impedance headphones is tricky). I had no qualms parting with my Pioneer DAP once I got the V20. I can't comment on any issues with hi-res though, I've only used 16/44 content
     
  10. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    I looked around for a while after losing my will to carry a stack of separate devices and not, immediately, finding a suitable DAP. And in doing so I found nothing that I felt was sufficiently worthwhile to choose over what I'd buy if I was unconcerned about audio quality and was purely choosing a phone.

    The Android stuff was stuck with forced re-sampling and/or a need to run third-party software that I really don't care for. Apple meant using a dongle. And since I was already on Apple's platform, I just decided to stick a dongle (since they're $9 a pop) in each of the cases with the IEMs I carry when I travel - so I didn't have to remember to bring it individually, and stuck with what I had.

    If I'm travelling light I'm probably just taking the little QC20i anyway, at which point ultimate sound-quality wasn't much of a concern in the first place.

    ..

    For non-travel purposes, such as when I'm walking at lunch, sticking with the iPhone meant ditching the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Over-Ear I'd often use then (especially on colder days) to get something that had broader protocol support (went with the Sony MDR1000X).
     
  11. sinfuzz

    sinfuzz New

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    I will give Tidal a try, I actually just canceled my account with them since I started just collecting music like it's the old days. If I have my facts straight, one problem with the V20 is it's a tricky list of apps that will actually use the non-Snapdragon DAC. I tried a bunch of alternatives and most of them sounded really bad (like distorting) with high-res files.
     
  12. Comzee

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    Same issue with the v10. I never owned the v10, but I heard it a lot (friend owned it). Ya, unless you used their hi-rez app, it didn't fully utilize the hardware. I assume it's even more drastic with the V20 since it has the new ES9218 SOC.

    If Tidal doesn't activate the hardware it will be bad =/
     
  13. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I've been reading the LG G6 w/ quad dac + dual sim is starting to be released outside of Korea. It doesn't have wireless charging, but does have 64GB storage (vs 32GB otherwise). If this managed to make it's way to the US, I'd be on board. Otherwise I guess I'll have to keep on keeping on with the N6P and separate DAP, at least until the V30 is released. (I don't even know if there will be a V30... one can hope.)
     
  14. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Got to do a side-by-side of a Mojo and an HTC 10 some time ago. Found that the phone stood no chance, but was still quite pleasing to listen to regardless; a tad smaller headspace and more focus on upper-mids and treble, with imaging perceptibly fuzzier. My old HTC M7 also had great SQ for a mobile at the time, so it's great to see at least one company's not pulling punches in the audio department.

    How would one say the V20 sounds with the Mojo as a baseline? Might upgrade phones soon, and I have to admit the LG stuff piques my interest.
     
  15. sinfuzz

    sinfuzz New

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    This would be awesome, I actually returned a G6 to get the V20 because of the neutered US version of the G6 we currently get. After my experience though I now sort of wish I just kept the G6....
     
  16. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    Ok, ill look for a G6 or V20.

    Im currently using a fitear Tg334! Got a great price for one, so i figured might as well.
     
  17. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I use my V10 with Andros and get more than good enough sound out of it for mobile needs which typically bring more ambient noise anyway. I am curious about the V10 vs V20, but I suspect there's not much in it for my purposes.

    If I have time, like on a plane, I have a 2-port OTG cable with power and a small battery to drive my GO2A.
     
  18. sinfuzz

    sinfuzz New

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    If you're in a country that has the nice dac in the G6 I would personally recommend that. G6 is really nice in the hand and the screen is awesome.
     
  19. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I use HTC 10 and SQ is amazing for a phone. Comparing with iBasso DX80 with JDS Labs C5 the phone is not as good but is good enough
     
  20. Johan

    Johan New

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    v20 is phenomenal.

    powers everything (even hd800s respectably, don't expect wonders but it will get them more then loud enough)

    absolutley 0 hiss with super sentive iems as well (andro, se846)

    im really his sensitive so its lovely.
     

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