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  • USB-C to Jack DAC compatibility list

People sometimes want to use wired headphones/IEMs with their GrapheneOS phone, not all DACs (digital-to-analog converters) will work, but most do. Suggested format below.

Devices tested: Pixel 5, 4a 5G, 4a
Store link: https://example[.]com/product/
(or just mention the DAC model)

I'll keep this post updated with my findings and reviews.

Unfortunately, I've noticed that powerful USB DACs (so not the cheap dongles) have regular popping issues on the Pixel 6. This has not been fixed even with the June updates, but reports suggest using the DAC as a dedicated device through a supported app (Tidal or UAPP) doesn't cause such issues. This is still something I'm investigating.


Devices tested: Pixel 6, 3a
DAC model: Apple USB-C to Jack adapter, EU version

The Apple dongle has very good measurements, and for only 9$ it can outperform DACs with a much higher cost. Needless to say, people don't need more unless they need more amplification power for their low-sensitivity headphones.

While it works with Pixel devices, the internal volume of the DAC is very low on Android and cannot be changed, therefore maximum volume will be quite disappointing on all Android devices. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have very high sensitivity headphones, in which case it could be enough.

Also, note that the EU version is underpowered compared to the US version.


Devices tested: Pixel 6, 3a
DAC model: Samsung USB-C to Jack adapter, WW version

The Samsung dongle doesn't have the excellent measurements of the Apple dongle but it still provides very good performance for its low price. Also, it doesn't suffer from the same volume issue as the Apple dongle, so it might be a better all-round choice.

Similarly to the Apple dongle, the WW version is underpowered compared to the US version.


Devices tested: Pixel 6
DAC model: UGREEN Hi-Fi Audio Pro

Usually sold for around $50, this DAC dongle has the very good CS43131 chip. It might actually be a rip-off of the Meizu dongle, but I'm not sure of that. I expected it to perform well, and while it sonically did, it was prone to terrible EMI noises when using LTE on my Pixel 6. Since my other dongles don't suffer from that, I returned it. Could have been a defective unit or the design of the dongle itself (shielding, etc.) was not up to the standards.


Devices tested: Pixel 6
DAC model: iBasso DC05

A bit higher-end than all the options above, it's usually a solid option under 100$ and packs way more power than the cheaper dongles aforementioned. It has the ESS Sabre ES9219C chip, which performs well. But beware that since it's more powerful, more battery drain should be expected. Also at that price, I would have preferred a detachable cable.


Devices tested: Pixel 6, 3a
DAC model: Chord Mojo (v1)

The Chord Mojo is a very high-end portable DAC that used to be sold new for around 500$. A bit overpriced if you ask me. It packs a lot of power though and has physical buttons to control volume. It suffers from poor design choices, such as the microUSB port, and the fact that it always runs on battery.

No issues with the 3a, but as mentioned above, there is a lot of crackling/popping sounds with the Pixel 6.


Devices tested: Pixel 6
DAC model: Qudelix 5k

This is probably the most polyvalent DAC I've ever tried. It serves mainly as a Bluetooth DAC/amp (there's support for LDAC and aptX HD codecs), but also as a USB DAC. It has powerful features such as integrated PEQ filters, all of which can configured through a neat Android/iOS/Chrome app. It uses the same ES919C chip, sounds great, has a balanced output for those who need it to drive their low sensitivity headphones. It also regularly has firmware updates and their support team is very responsive.

    Devices Tested: Pixel 5a and Pixel 6

    DAC Model: Cable Matters Braided USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter
    Store Link: https://www.cablematters.com/pc-1187-125-braided-usb-c-to-35mm-headphone-adapter.aspx

    DAC Model: Belkin Rockstar 3.5mm Audio + USB-C Charge Adapter
    Store Link: https://www.belkin.com/us/adapters/audio-charge/rockstar-3-5mm-audio-usb-c-charge-adapter/p/p-npa004/

    DAC Model: Belkin CONNECT USB-C Audio + Charge Adapter
    Store Link: https://www.belkin.com/us/adapters/audio-charge/connect-usb-c-audio-charge-adapter/p/p-f7u081/

      • [deleted]

      Devices tested: Pixel 5, Pixel 6 Pro
      DAC Model: Samsung USB-C dongle/adapter, US version

      The WW version as mentioned above is underpowered and may have volume issues similar to the Apple dongle. The US version of the Samsung dongle does not have this issue. Sound quality-wise it's a very good alternative to the Apple dongle.

      The model number on the back of the box will have either "WW" or "US" at the end of it indicating which one you have. If buying on Amazon, look at the pictures of the product and find one that shows the back of the box. You can make out the two letters at the end of the model number to determine which one is being sold.


      Devices tested: Pixel 5, Pixel 6 Pro
      DAC model: Apple dongle US version

      As all Apple dongles, they sound amazing. And while the EU version is more underpowered, the US version is still underpowered (Android issue) and has low volume issues. Some might enjoy low volume, but it works none the less.

      It's totally tolerable volume-wise and sounds great none the less.


      Devices tested: Pixel 5, Pixel 6 Pro
      DAC Model: FiiO BTR5 2021

      Tested both USB-C and Bluetooth and all works great. Even supports simultaneous Bluetooth connections to more than one device and no issues there. I don't recommend the FiiO app in general, it's very invasive in permissions (all files and media, location access) and feels too janky. It does offer some edge-case tweaking functionality like more control over the filters, EQ (you can just use Poweramp for that), etc but overall it's not important and the device itself has some physical controls for these. Sounds great, like all FiiO products :)


      Devices tested: Pixel 5, Pixel 6 Pro
      DAC Model: VE Odyssey HD

      Despite reviews online and for some reason praised, it's not great sound-wise. I've tried three different IEMs, open back headphones, semi-open/closed headphones, even trying this on my computer and other unrelated devices and everything just does not sound good with it. Very little soundstage, all the music sounds mushed together like if you bought a cheap random USB-C DAC from Amazon for 5 dollars, sounds worse as you increase the volume. There is also a hissing noise with it when it's playing audio. The chipset is a Realtek ALC4042 SoC and I don't have very good experience with Realtek and audio.

      Does it work with GrapheneOS? Yeah. Is it good? No.

      2 months later

      Wonderfall I'm using the official Google USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter (model G019B) on my Pixel 6a and had been getting semi-random popping when playing music stored on the device (haven't tried much other audio). It seemed to happen more with the screen unlocked. I tried multiple music player applications in an unsuccessful attempt to solve the problem, but then I found this thread and also this Google support thread.

      I tried the suggestion offered there of disabling touch sounds and screen locking sounds, and that seems to have mitigated the problem, although I still hear the occasional glitch in conjunction with locking/unlocking the screen.

      Other than that, the official adapter seems to work fine, but I haven't tried it with high-quality headphones yet.

      How do i check if i have the US / EU version of the Apple DAC? I cant find it anywhere on the box.

      2 months later

      Device Tested: 6a
      DAC Model: Fiio KA1 (USB C to 3.5mm)

      I needed a DAC with good built quality this was the best bank/buck alas 6a doesn't like it, every 5-10 second it's clipping (high pitch noise).

      • [deleted]

      Device tested: 6a
      DAC Model: Audioquest Dragonfly (black)

      As Dragonfly has USB-A I used USB-C to USB-A adapter.
      Tested with Beyerdynamics Custom One Pro Plus.
      It works flawlessly, nice sound, nice volume.

      2 months later

      Device tested: Pixel 6a
      DAC Model: MEIZU mblu HiFi DAC, model no. HA01

      I thought this would perform well given how acclaimed the Meizu dongle was on reddit and other forums, but this one captures lots of interference from nearby devices, mostly from the phone itself, also when connected to a PC. It's unusable when 4G connection quality is low, because the digital noise gets pretty high. It sounds really good on Wi-Fi or in a controlled environment.

      I ordered the WW Samsung dongle, I'll update with my considerations.

      Device Tested: Pixel 6
      DAC Model: DragonFly Black via a USB-C to USB A adapter cable.

      Works without issue.
      Same results a @[deleted]

      Device Tested: Pixel 7
      DAC Model: Fiio KA3 - USB-C to USB-C

      Works just fine. You might have to connect and disconnect depending on if you have the music player already open, but absolutely no issues for me.

      a month later

      Are there dongles that work if they're plugged into the phone separately while the screen is unlocked and then the headphones are plugged into the already plugged-in dongle while the screen is locked? (Assuming that the user has kept the GrapheneOS default of denying new USB peripherals while the screen is locked.)

      The one I've tried doesn't support this use case, so I assume it's reconfiguring itself depending on what it's hooked up to - a TRRS headset, TRS stereo headphones, TS mono headphones, or nothing at all - and it reappears as a "new" USB peripheral.

      But I'd love to find a statically configured dongle, and be able to easily switch my headphones back and forth between my notebook and the media player on the lock screen of my phone with a plugged-in dongle.

        Brand: Venture Electronics
        DAC model: Abigail - Tested on Pixel 6a
        DAC model: AVANI - not owned, not tested
        Price: 10$ USD
        Store:
        https://www.veclan.com/
        https://veclan.aliexpress.com/store/group/Dac-amp/1924356_505051990.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.3c02743e8sO8ys

        Both these DACs are made by audiophile enthusiast company and not your run of the mill Chinese company that wants to make a buck on amazon. They are very capable and are said to beat anything in the competition. They both outperform (considerably) apple and other "major brand" dongles for lesser price. Both are quite similar, but have small differences in sound, Abigail is more natural and AVANI is the more clinical. Both are quite powerful.

        I have the Abigail and can confirm it works on Pixel 6a. It has a very robust sound. I am an audiophile type of guy and own 300$ DACs and other gear. I did not test this device thoroughly for sound but given a 5 minute listen I was impressed enough that I thought "no need for further inspection".

        The max volume is very loud and if you are not careful you could blow out your headphones and your eardrums the first time you connect it. Plugging and unplugging the 3.5mm jack on some headphones causes an electrical noise to the headphone which means loud noise in your ears. so make sure the volume is low when you do this, or don't do it while dongle is connected.

        Connecting the dongle to the pixel gives no notifications or indications that the device has been recognized and connected, so its a bit confusing at first.

        Follow this procedure for first connect:

        1. Enable the relevant USB settings so the DAC gets detected.
        2. connect the DAC to your phone without a headphone plugged in.
        3. Without connecting a headphone play a song on your device with the DAC connected. If the device has been connected then no sound should come out of the speaker. Now turn the volume down to very low.
        4. Now Connect your headphone. Or for extra safety, pull the DAC out, connect your headphone, then reconnect the DAC.
        5. Now play the music and slowly turn sound up to your desired level.

        While I would normally push the volume to 80-90% on most phones to get good volume on my headphone, with this one at 50% I am already beyond my loud listening limits.

        rustybird The Abigail that I mentioned works like you want I think. I can unplug the headphone while keeping the dongle connected, the music continues to play without being paused even though no headphone connected, and I can connect any headphone again to the dongle and the music has been playing all along.

        Devices tested: Pixel 6a
        DAC Model: FiiO BTR5 2021 (USB-C)

        Store link: https://fiio.com/btr52021
        Store link for french people : https://www.son-video.com/article/accessoires-distributeurs-et-transmetteurs-recepteurs-bluetooth/fiio/btr5-2021

        No problem.

        Probably the best DAC out there (quality/price). The battery is a bit not enough (the manufacturer say 9 hours). But I use it all the day, so yeah... You can use it while charging it though.

        Devices tested: Pixel 7
        Store link: https://ifi-audio.com/products/hip-dac2/

        Yes, not really a dongle but I was never happy with the audio quality of dongles. I run IEMs using a balanced cable. Works perfectly!

        I prefer the sound quality and value of this brand and model over the competitors but its all subjective.

        Devices Tested: Pixel 6 and Pixel 7
        Adapter Model: MOVO UCMA-1

        Not a DAC but an adapter: TRS input to TRRS output over USB-C which allow for the use of 3.5mm three-pole microphones from Rode/Sennheiser/Shure and others as audio input devices