[kfh227]

Does anyone here have a USB based D/A converter like this:
HeadRoom Total Bithead - Headphone Amplifier | HeadRoom Audio
- or -
FiiO E10 / HeadRoom Audio

I want to know if it is compatible with the Z10. I've found mixed answers. I need a definitive answer.

Thanks!

[kfh227]

Anyone????

[kfh227]

bump bump bump

[grahamf]

that's pretty specialized hardware. It's highly unlikely that the drivers exist.

I'd ask why you'd even want it, but I can guess the answer. So I'll just say this: There isn't a market. Not for Blackberry to support these things, nor for that company to support blackberry.

[grahamf]

Does anyone here have a USB based D/A converter like this:
HeadRoom Total Bithead - Headphone Amplifier |

Get superb headphone sound on your iPad, laptop, PC or home computer with our smallest portable headphone amp + USB DAC. Simply plug the BitHead directly into the USB port and a digital audio signal routs of the lowly computer internals to be re-processed by the superior Digital-to-Analog Converter [DAC] in the BitHead (iPad requires Apple Camera Kit). The BitHead is USB-powered via computers or via 'AAA' batteries from other sources. Includes HeadRoom crossfeed for supreme headphone imaging plus 'High/Low Gain' to match any headphone impedance.

FiiO E10 / HeadRoom Audio

The FiiO E10 is portable computer headphone amp containing a built-in DAC featuring a powerful amplifier stage rated for all headphones from 16 Ohms to 300 Ohms. Similar in overall sound to the FiiO E11 but with netbook / MAC/ PC 'computer-only' functionality, the E10 offers great digital music performance improvements delivered by its internal D-to-A processor. Tough-built with a machined-metal chassis that shields external electrical or hard-drive interference, a big plus for iPhone or iPod Video users. Another nice plus is an old-school volume dial with numbers (!). Remember, the E10 can only be powered via USB connection to a computer so it can not work with smartphones, iPods or MP3 players. Coaxial digital out allows the E10 to be used as a 'stand-alone' DAC if so desired.

[kfh227]

that's pretty specialized hardware. It's highly unlikely that the drivers exist.

I'd ask why you'd even want it, but I can guess the answer. So I'll just say this: There isn't a market. Not for Blackberry to support these things, nor for that company to support blackberry.

USB audio is part of the USB spec.

Your follow up post didn't help. It's simple. If a device supports USB audio out, I can get an after market D/A converter. If not, I can't.

For example, Android does not support it. But reading the help forums for Android, one poster said that the code is already written and Google just needs to add it to the build. This is because Android leverages other open source software and for some reason they omitted USB Audio.

I don't know if Blackberry omitted USB audio or not and their support sadly sucks.

[grahamf]

I'd still doubt it. It may be part of the USB spec, but it is still pretty rare.

[homl]

I am curious, someone should give it a try, connecting a generic USB DAC to the Z10 and report back. Thanks.

[saxxman]

This needs to be worked on, as many Blackberry users are professionals and appreciate the availability of hi end sound. My 64g sd card is filled with 55g of FLAC files and I can't wait to come up with a solution for this!

[Matthew Hicks1]

No official or community support exists or from my knowledge is in the works. DAC internal to the Z10 is the Qualcomm WCD9310 DAC. It actually is better than what I'm used to in a lot of my previous android phones since my preference in music leans away from bass and more towards clear mids and highs. The wolfson in the E10 is only marginally better and that DAC is better utilized to overcome a tablet or laptop where the manufacturer threw an atrocious soundcard/dac you need to frugally overcome. Dependent on how crazy you are about listening to your music on your phone instead of investing in a stand-alone Digital Audio Player (FIIO X-3, Astell & Kern, etc), and your portable headphones requirements to come to life I would just look into a portable headphone amplifier like the E12.

[ronfc]

Yes, I think if you're an audiophile type of person, you should go with specialized gear, eg. a DAP like the iPod classic, FiiO or iBasso, an amp (whether for desktop or portable), a decent DAC and a decent headphone. Beats is strictly not recommended by the way. I'm planning on investing on DAP, amp and DACs to assess my headphone hunting more accurately.

Z10STL100-1/10.2.1.1925

[TJ DM]

For the record, usb based DACs don't work on our BlackBerrys because our usb port doesn't support audio out. You can still use an external DAC if it has amplifier and for that you'll be using the aux line and your BlackBerry's own DAC.

I'm using q10 and z30 and also have a fiio e17 dac/amp. Tried it already and it didn't work.

I don't know if this is a hardware issue (or lack of hardware capability) or a software inadequacy. If it's the latter I hope BlackBerry will include audio out capabilities in their next update.

Cheers!

Q10 SQN100-3 | Z30 STA100-2 |10.2.1.2141

[Bishkin]

I got an iBasso and I won't even bother trying.