Setting DAC hardware volume control for use with any Android app.

[vext01]

Hi,

It's 2025 and Android still doesn't offer a way to set the hardware volume of a DAC...

I was wondering if anyone knew some kind of hack to set the hardware volume so that it can be used with apps that don't support exclusive audio access. Many DACs set their hardware volume to max upon connection, resulting in the android mixer simply attenuating an already distorted signal. This results in fizzy/swishy audio from apps that can't otherwise access the DAC's hardware volume (e.g. most podcast apps).

On my old phone I used to be able to initialise the DAC with UAPP or Hiby and exit, then use the DAC with any app, but my Samsung fails to release the audio device, so you can't do this hack.

Anyone know another way?

 

[staticV3]

my Samsung fails to release the audio device, so you can't do this hack.

That sounds like a bug.

Have you tried contacting UAPP's developer via [email protected]?

He usually responds within 24h and quickly patches the App.

 

[vext01]

Thanks, I dropped him an email.

Really I just wish Android had a proper volume control built in!

 

[vext01]

He got back to me fast. He said:

If it doesn't work, then the Android build does not reattach the kernel device after UAPP requests it.

We then tried a few things, but in the end, he can't help if he can't reproduce the problem. It's likely something specific to my model of phone.

 

[staticV3]

Anyone know another way?

You could buy a dongle that has its own physical volume control, e.g. Sonata HD Pro, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Truthear Shio, Tanchjim Space.

These control the DAC's hardware volume directly, so you could set Android to max and turn down the dongle to compensate.

 

[vext01]

Yeah, I have a couple of such dongles which work great. The best example I have is the Whizzer DA1.

You gotta be a bit careful because with some dongles the buttons send USB HID commands, thus adjusting the android mixer instead of adjusting the hardware volume! I have this "seejazz" dongle that does this, but you can work around it with the Ibasso UAC app, that lets you set the hardware volume. I suspect the dongle is a clone of an ibasso DC something or other.

But anyway, sometimes you don't want a bulky dongle hanging out of your pocket and a low profile dongle would be ideal. If only they worked properly with android!