“USB On-The-Go” is not really a new thing actually. But since I have ‘exiled’ myself from the glamorous gadget world, probably I have missed this one. So, I just acquire a Nokia E7, featured with USB On-The-Go. Basically, you can plug a standard device like keyboard, mouse, or flash drive on it (and get a flexible control over your supported device). But I would like to try a different approach. How if I plug standard USB Audio Device (USB sound card)?
I read somewhere that the maximum power supply current supported is 200 mA. Well, probably some USB sound card could take more. But, no risk, no gain, right? I check several of my USB sound card collection and start playing around. Btw, I also plug my Samsung MP3 Player. The idea is to copy some music file from it. But eventually it starts to charge the device itself (damned, charging from battery to battery?). My Nokia E7 “screams” by showing a warning message that the connected device is consuming a lot of power (or similar warning – sorry, forget the detail).
I plug my MAYA EX5 USB sound card. Nokia E7 recognizes the device, but it says ‘limited function’. I think because MAYA EX5 uses non-standard USB audio device (it’s multi channel which is not common in USB audio peripherals). Since I think it needs special driver, then the Nokia E7 couldn’t redirect the sound into this sound card. So, we remove this from our list.
Then I find out a standard USB sound card, the ASUS Xonar U1 USB. This sound card is quite nice, with adequate headphone output quality. Nokia E7 recognizes this device with no problem and suddenly the music is redirected into the ASUS Xonar U1. I plug my headphone then start to enjoy the music.
FYI, the ASUS Xonar U1 used on this and shown on the photo below has been modded completely, especially on the capacitor side with Black Gate and Elna Cerafine. Click the link to find out the modification detail. The sound has improved in quite significant margin.
Below is the Nokia E7 connected to the heavily modded ASUS Xonar U1 via “USB On-The-Go” feature.
Well, off course I have to copy some of my collection which grabbed from the original CD and mostly saved in WAV format. Luckily, standard audio player on Nokia E7 (and most other Nokia’s Symbian devices, I think) supports this format (also MP3 off course). With around 16 GB internal storage on Nokia E7, I could keep around 30 CDs in WAV format inside this device. More than enough to accompany my daily life 😉
Standard music player on Nokia E7 seems quite OK. We will do some more experiment and testing later. Interested to see how does it perform on the measurement? Frequency? Power supply ripple? Yummy… I hope I have enough spare time…
glitter2
September 23, 2011 00:25can try some standalone usb dac ?
Auw Jimmy
September 24, 2011 12:12I believe if the standard is USB Audio, they will work flawlessly.
Thanks.
Huy
February 2, 2012 18:58Is that Symbian belle? if so how the hell did you get it on the E7
Auw Jimmy
February 2, 2012 22:56Yes, it’s Belle… Will be launched soon, I hope… 🙂
DEN
December 3, 2012 08:27HI! Tried to make working my nokia 700 (symbian belle fp2) with standalone socket powered dac/headamp ha-info ng94 mkII. LED lights on device but phone says it may be limited functions and sound only from phone speaker. ANY ideas how to fix if it possible for usability? THANKX.
DEN
December 3, 2012 08:40ps. IN winows it don’t need any driver and it is a two channel device. with 700 tried usb otg cable that worked with fiash drives and wireless mouse.