[Android] Support USB Audio directly - bypassing the Android Driver

[ZorkII]

USB DAC/amps are less impressive on Android Spotify because the standard Android driver is up-sampling. The Dragonfly Red runs at 44.1kHz with Spotify on my PC but on Android it up-samples to 96kHz causing glitching. Other DACs have similar issues. The proposal is for Spotify to access USB DACs directly, bypassing the Android driver.

Audiophile music players already take this approach, e.g. USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP) and Neutron. Tidal works with UAPP.

This idea is a version of "Support USB Audio through the USB Audio Player PRO driver" without the 3rd party partnership. It was written in response to @meahtenoha's review. Both ideas originate from the USB audio out OTG support thread.

External USB headphone DAC/amps for Android phones are becoming a thing. What Hi-Fi has a Best DACs page that mainly lists portable audiophile kit. I would prefer to carry a phone and a DAC rather than a phone and a portable music player because it is more fun to have access to the whole Spotify catalogue.

[jeremysee]

Great idea. No response from Spotify? This is exactly why I was worried about switching away from my mp3 collection to a streaming service. Locking in to one app puts you at the mercy of unresponsive devs who dither on adding obvious features.

[jeremysee]

Another, even better option than adding custom USB drivers to the app: Spotify devs could go fix this issue in Android. Disable the automatic upsampling or add an API that can disable it or something. Spotify has the resources after all.

[In2gers]

New family subscriber to Spotify and absolutely gutted to find incompatable with my Chord Mojo on Android. Based on the time similar threads have been running and no response from Spotify Devs then subscription will be short lived. The TIDE (AL) is turning

[lowyisheng]

please make this happen ASAP

[Williamcg]

Will this ever be added?

[ChrisLane]

Having lots of trouble getting my Oppo HA-2SE to work with Spotify on Android. This is a must!

[shihnh]

Still no responds form spotify? A reason I can understand is that Hi Fi listeners are not the target market of spotify. Spotify aims at kids who like drum beats. A serious music lover should consider alternative.

[SammySooser]

 "New Idea"? You must be kiddin'. This idea was floated in 2014.  It's about time (4 yrs later) that Spotify supports this.  The code cannot be that difficult.  Please re-invest my $9.99/mo. into this code. Tx.

[Kyleruggles]

Hey Spotify!

Pay attention! Support your supporters, bring this feature out. It's been years now. 

[aceofspadezzz]

I agree with many people on this community , let us play our spotifymusic through a dac/amp connected to our android mobile.

I have got the Smsl Idea-dac/amp.

Would love to play Spotify with this dac/amp connected..

Mvh Roland