Passionate music lovers today have easier access to lossless formats than ever before. All thanks to streaming services SpotifyApple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music. These services offer high resolution within standard monthly subscriptions.
However, exploiting the full potential of these high-quality audio tracks remains a hardware challenge. If the lossless files are played in an inadequate way, the operating system introduces compression and resampling, due to which the finest details in the tracks are lost.
Technology experts point out that an affordable external USB-C digital-to-analog converter DAC is all that is needed to get the most out of a smartphone and get studio-quality sound.
Limitations of smartphones and Android systems
Modern smartphones already have a factory-installed audio chip that can theoretically support high-resolution audio playback over a cable. The main problem actually lies in the way the signal is transmitted to the user’s ears. Given that most current phones no longer have a classic 3.5 mm audio input, users often rely on Bluetooth connection and wireless headphones. Wireless audio transmission by its very nature introduces delay, compression and inevitable data loss. This makes it impossible to enjoy true lossless sound at the start.
Amazon
AmazonOn the other hand, Android phones at the system level automatically downsample high-resolution audio to standard 16-bit or 24-bit PCM stereo format at 48 kilohertz through the central audio service AudioFlinger. Although this quality is more than sufficient for the average human ear, complete avoidance of resampling and compression is not possible without an external USB-C DAC device.
By using advanced apps that are allowed to completely bypass Android’s central audio server, external hardware gets direct access to the digital signal and delivers sound that is completely identical to the original studio recording.
Additional connections and power for studio headphones
The benefits of using an external adapter go beyond the mere improvement of sound fidelity and clarity, and the best benefits actually have nothing to do with the algorithms themselves. By using accessories, users turn the single USB-C port on the phone into dual outputs, getting a standard 3.5mm jack and an advanced, balanced 4.4mm output. This provides enormous flexibility on the go as it enables the connection of almost all types of audiophile headphones, without the need to constantly change and carry different cables.
In addition to the variety of connections, external hardware also brings the necessary output power that phones alone cannot provide. The factory audio outputs and built-in chips in smartphones are simply not designed to power high-impedance or high-sensitivity headphones.
Connecting premium studio models, such as the Sennheiser HD 600 open headphones or closed models like the Fiio FT13, directly to a smartphone usually results in quiet, flat and unconvincing sound. When a quality DAC that delivers 30 milliwatts of power at 32 ohms per channel is placed between the phone and the cable, the smartphone gains the ability to drive even the most demanding audiophile devices to their full potential with ease.
Cable connection as the only way to true high-fidelity sound
Finally, experts advise that Bluetooth be completely avoided if the ultimate goal is maximum quality and enjoyment of high-resolution audio tracks. Even the most advanced wireless audio codecs on the market are still compressed by nature and cannot transmit the full width of information.
Cable connection ie. wire remains the only safe way to high-definition sound, and the affordable USB-C dongle DAC is the optimal solution for all modern phones. This plug-in delivers balanced outputs, a stable, lag-free connection, and power for studio headphones. Sound refinement and enhancement can be considered a phenomenal side bonus that redefines mobile music listening, MakeUseOf concludes.