The DAC is the short form of digital to the analogue signal converter which is used to get precise music outputs. Usually, the DAC used in the smartphones are designed only for getting clear output on conversions.
Most people like to use their smartphones to hear music via wired headphones. There are some smartphone models not having 3.5 jack inbuilt. In such case, they go for connecting smartphones to the DAC that helps them to communicate with any wired headset easily.
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Here are three things necessary to Connect Android, iPad, or iPhone to a DAC,
- Power.
- Support.
- Cables.
Power Requirements:
Today iPad, iPhone and most of the Android devices are designed to enforce an external power consumption limit. If you want to connect your device with DAC, you need to have a self-powered DAC such as C5D. You can easily connect your device with DAC since DAC only takes power from its battery.
Other than that connecting a DAC without battery is also possible. Most of the USB devices proclaim their power consumption in software while the USB connection happens. It is easy to trick a phone or tablet by linking to a small USB hub.
When you use the correct USB hub, your phone only reads the low power consumption of the same, and it is not more significant power consumption of the DAC. For example, if you are directly connecting the DAC to the android device, it will not work. All because the DAC consumes at least about 20ma.
The Android device allows a maximum power consumption of around 5ma when the portable USB hub is connected. Other than this power consumption has not changed in non-powered USB hub, but the DAC still draws power from the android phone.
Support Requirements:
The digital audio system support with android phone continues to improve the sound quality. At the same time, only some Android devices are supporting the digital audio. Almost all the android devices can connect to the DAC using the USB audio player.
Other than that CyanogenMod is known to enable the streaming of digital audio system as well via apps with most of the smartphone devices. Here you need to note that the proper cable and support on android device sometimes want a reboot option.
In such case, you need to make sure that your DAC is turned on and connect it to your Android device and then reboot it. It will give your device a chance to initialise the DAC.
Cable Requirements:
You can’t try to connect the standard USB cables coming as a package with the iOS, and Android devices are not compatible to connect to a DAC device. In such case, you’ll need a special cable that treats DAC device as client and Android or iOS device as host.
In case you want to connect an iOS device then use an Apple MFI approved or genuine USB camera adapter cable. However, in case of Android, you’ll need an OTG cable of good quality or brand.
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