USB-C to Jack DAC compatibility list

[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.

tmp

Devices Tested: Pixel 5a and Pixel 6

DAC Model: Audioengine B1
Store Link: https://audioengineusa.com/shop/adapters/b1-bluetooth-music-receiver/

AK4396 D/A chip. aptX-HD with superb range (so long as the external antenna is within line-of-sight). RCA analog out to jack w/ adapter cable is supported.

selseista

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.

Reflux

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

anuvrat

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.

SteaminWasbeer

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.

Aaron

Device Tested: Pixel 6a, Pixel 7
DAC Model: Generic/LecLoocDirect

I'm used this DAC Charging Pass-thru with limited success.
Audio works fine on both Pixel 6a and Pixel 7.
Charging seems to be unable to reach 100% charge when using this pass-thru USB-C.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7FW2P9Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

P.S. Thanks for keeping this thread updated!

madduke

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

Works without issue.
Same results a @[deleted]

anonuser007

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.

rustybird

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.

User2288

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.

User2288

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:

Enable the relevant USB settings so the DAC gets detected.
connect the DAC to your phone without a headphone plugged in.
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.
Now Connect your headphone. Or for extra safety, pull the DAC out, connect your headphone, then reconnect the DAC.
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.

dirksche

For german and european users:
Devices tested: Pixel 7
Store link: https://de.hama.com/00183307/hama-usb-c-adapter-auf-3-5-mm-audiobuchse-weiss
I know from following stores in germany, where you can buy it: Müller and Saturn.

samsepi0l

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.

Kottonballs

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.

tmp

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

frickinchickin

tmp

Belkin Rockstar 3.55mm does not work on Pixel 6 Pro.

tmp

frickinchickin requires power pass through i.e. connect a usb-c power source to the dongle. have several of the same dongle and none will pass audio w/o power.

[deleted]

Device tested: pixel 6a
-Dragonfly red work fine on pixel 6a
-Google usbC to mini-jack adapter work fine on pixel 6a
-sony wf xm4 work fine on pixel 6a.

[deleted]

Device tested: pixel 6a
DAC: dragonfly red, Google USB C to 3,5mm