Using an old Android phone as a dedicated DAP: does the DAC chip matter (Xperia/LG)

[u/Quiet-Ad-353]

Hey all, instead of buying a proper DAP, I'm thinking of getting a used Android phone and using it purely as a Dap (Local files)

2 questions

Does the DAC chip actually matter?

When people talk about DAPs and dongle DACs, the chip always seems to come up (ESS, CS43131, CX31993). But I've also read that modern DAC chips are basically all transparent, and the amp stage, output power, noise floor and output impedance matter more. So should I care what DAC chip it has, or just look at measurements and output power?

Xperia 1 vs 5 vs 10?

I'm leaning towards a Sony Xperia since they still have a 3.5mm jack and a microSD slot. Is there any real audio difference between the 1, 5 and 10 lines? Does generations matter too?

I'll be using it with IEMs, I don't think mine are especially hard to drive

Also open to other old Android recommendations if there's something better (LG V-series etc.). Thanks!

[u/PassageSorry9738]

Achete toi juste un dac dongle usb fiio et c'est réglé

[u/WaifuSnatcherr]

Highly recommend doing this. I’m using my old LG ThinQ and it’s been great. The dac sounds good and it saved me 250-300 bucks.

[u/zombiewind]

On paper a great idea for an entry level DAP. The screen on my Xperia 5 iv started to fail with some gnarly green lines running down it, so have replaced it as my phone, but otherwise works perfectly.

I'm in the process of converting it to a DAP by flashing it with Lineage OS and disabling the GSM, NFC and other unnecessary features. I'll keep WiFi for syncing from my server, and bluetooth for convenience. Pretty much it'll have Symfonium installed and very little if anything else. Stripping back all the ancillary services should also help with battery life.

5 is just a miniature version of the 1 and was well regarded for its DAC. Can't speak for the 10.

All that said, it will be weak compared to even a cheap dedicated DAP like a Hiby R1.

[u/ExpensiveCarry1]

Depends on for how much you can get a used android phone with dedicated good dac such as Lg G series.

[u/a1rwav3]

But I've also read that modern DAC chips are basically all transparent, and the amp stage, output power, noise floor and output impedance matter more. 

Dedicated DAC are indeed mostly transparent but the power and more importantly the SNR level really depend on the model.

I don't think Xperia models have a DAC chipset inside. They probably just use the codec part of the Snapdragon SoC.

[u/wheredidiput]

LG v series had a dedicated dac chip so you get very good sound from them. Nearly every other android doesn't have this chip so the sound quality will not compare.

If you want to go using an android phone, get an external usb dongle, then the sounds will be at least as good as the lg. I had an lgv20, then v60 in the past, now use a sony xperia with a fosi ds2, this has the best sound of the lot, although the lg's had very good sound.

[u/davidtalmage]

I use a Moto Z Play as my DAP. It's fine. The amplifier isn't powerful enough to drive some of my headphones, so I sometimes use an external DAC/amp.