Portable USB DAC with it`s own battery power supply anyone ever seen one ?

[Earwax]

Curious are there any portable USB DAC with it`s own battery power supply as this would allow longer battery life with cellphone use ?

It`s not a problem for me personally just curious of any options and or DYI solutions that do not introduce noise.


Thank you for your time it is always much appreciated.

 

[staticV3]

There is a small number of portable DAC+Headphone Amp units with built-in battery.

Some examples:

• iFi Hip-DAC, xDSD, iDSD
• xDuoo XD-05
• Shanling H5
• JCally AP20
• Hidizs DH80

However, in 9/10 cases the manufacturer decides to give their device Bluetooth functionality as well to capture a wider audience, so devices without BT are quite rare.

In any case, having a built-in lithium battery will inevitably put an expiration date on the DAC, which speaking personally is a bit dissatisfying.

I don't mind batteries in laptops and phones, there's just no way around that, but putting them in all your accessories as well should be well considered, for a number of reasons (cost, hazards, sustainability etc.)

 

[LTig]

The Qudelix 5 has its own chargeable battery. I'm not sure whether it uses it when connected via USB.

 

[Jimbob54]

The Qudelix 5 has its own chargeable battery. I'm not sure whether it uses it when connected via USB.

Think that is configurable

 

[Mikig]

you can turn the usb dac into battery with a usb “y” cable. Sometimes i use it with SMSL SU1, when i use my phone as a source. i plug in a 5V power bank.

 

[BeeKay]

Topping G5 and NX7

 

[Earwax]

USB Y cable simple Genius level :]

But would it work for Fosi DS1 to save my cellphone battery ?

 

[staticV3]

Topping G5 and NX7

G5 hat Bluetooth which OP doesn't want and NX7 has no DAC which OP needs,

 

[BeeKay]

G5 hat Bluetooth which OP doesn't want and NX7 has no DAC which OP needs,

NX7 yes. But where is that no BT from?

 

[staticV3]

USB Y cable simple Genius level :]

But would it work for Fosi DS1 to save my cellphone battery ?

With the correct splitter cable, yes.

The key is to have no VBUS wire connecting your host to the DAC, which will prevent any current to flow from host to DAC.

All power must then come from the external power supply connected to the splitter.

Many splitter cables have that VBUS wire anyway so both the host and external supply can supply power.

With smart power supplies like battery banks and phones, that makes for a very inconsistent behavior and in many cases will still drain your phone.

For a while, the E1DA AliExpress store was selling Type-C splitter cables with the VBUS wire removed from the factory.

 

[staticV3]

But where is that no BT from?

Just saw that OP edited his post and removed that part.

 

[Earwax]

Just saw that OP edited his post and removed that part.

Sorry about that.

 

[Earwax]

USB C Splitter, Dual USB C Headphone and Charger Adapter,2-in-1 Type C​

Thanks guys ! I found one online...

 

[Mikig]

With the correct splitter cable, yes.

The key is to have no VBUS wire connecting your host to the DAC, which will prevent any current to flow from host to DAC.

All power must then come from the external power supply connected to the splitter.

Many splitter cables have that VBUS wire anyway so both the host and external supply can supply power.

With smart power supplies like battery banks and phones, that makes for a very inconsistent behavior and in many cases will still drain your phone.

For a while, the E1DA AliExpress store was selling Type-C splitter cables with the VBUS wire removed from the factory.

I add that I also tried to use this cable with the phone power supply, wall socket, and obviously it works. It does not work with the computer, I do not know the reason but if I try to use the Dac connected to the computer and power bank, the power bank turns off.

 

[somebodyelse]

With the correct splitter cable, yes.

The key is to have no VBUS wire connecting your host to the DAC, which will prevent any current to flow from host to DAC.

All power must then come from the external power supply connected to the splitter.

Many splitter cables have that VBUS wire anyway so both the host and external supply can supply power.

With smart power supplies like battery banks and phones, that makes for a very inconsistent behavior and in many cases will still drain your phone.

For a while, the E1DA AliExpress store was selling Type-C splitter cables with the VBUS wire removed from the factory.

The only correct way to do a splitter cable is to have a built in USB hub. That will work consistently, but they are rare. Anything else should be filed under 'creative abuse' of the USB standards - they do not comply, which is why the behaviour is inconsistent.

 

[staticV3]

The only correct way to do a splitter cable is to have a built in USB hub. That will work consistently, but they are rare. Anything else should be filed under 'creative abuse' of the USB standards - they do not comply, which is why the behaviour is inconsistent.

Agreed, with the caveat that removing VBUS restores consistent behavior.

 

[ZolaIII]

USB Y cable simple Genius level :]

But would it work for Fosi DS1 to save my cellphone battery ?

You won't save much on battery life of the phone anyway as USB audio 2.0 is old and not power efficient. I had Tempotec Sonata iDSD, now I use Hiby W3 II BT dongle with a shirt clip on the go and it's OK up to normal sensitivity headphones/earphones (max output is 1.76 V unbalanced or - 2 dB to 2V). It can double and as DAC (USB audio 1.0 only) but I don't use it like that. Lasts about 9~10 h on LDAC high 24 bit and it's easy to recharge (including from phone as it has small battery). Range is 5 to 7 m that way and it really doesn't cost much (40~50 $/€).

 

[AnalogSteph]

There are some DAPs with USB DAC functionality, too, e.g. my FiiO M3K can do it with stock firmware, as do a number of their other models.

 

[Ste_S]

FiiO Q11 is (reasonably) portable, and has a built in battery.

 

[Earwax]

USB C Splitter, Dual USB C Headphone and Charger Adapter,2-in-1 Type C​

Thanks guys ! I found one online...

The GREAT news is it works with both DAC`s the SMSL SU1 and Fosi Audio DS1, yes I did test them both playing music through other amps.

THE CATCH throwing many people off is it MUST only be 6 inches in length... ?

I don`t have any 1 foot lengths to try but I can say for sure a Quality built brand 39 inch USB-C cable does not work it would only connect to the DAC`s in one direction with the single end plugged into cellphone leaving the power supply charging the cell phone and the AMP draw on the Tomo T4 went up from .30 when only powering SU1 to 1 AMP powering cell that already had 100% charge and SU1 the problem is with some devices if you charge the battery while using the device it can diminish ( DAMAGE ) the battery life very fast so always better to do research before using your devices in this way...

When using the 5.75 inch length USB-C cable that came with the Fosi DS1 it cured that problem now the splitter works both directions so now I can use the single end of splitter in both directions allowing me to use both DAC`s to play music while powering the DAC`s !!!!

I only used the Tomo T4 power supply into the power plug of splitter I had second thoughts of caution when I was about to plug in a quality Samsung 1 amp AC to 5v DC charger into it so played it safe until I have more time to research this.

Thank you for your helps !

Here is a link to the one I purchased for reference sakes.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08X41Q1ZN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1