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Schiit Modi 3 with Google Pixel 3

Good evening to you all. I have just purchased a Schiit Modi 3 to add to my system. I do stream most of my music using Tidal and was seeking to improve the quality with this outboard DAC. My Parasound preamp does not have a built-in DAC. Sadly my music source (laptop) just died. I'm now trying to figure out how to stream Tidal from my Pixel 3.  It's my only option right now. I've tried going directly from the USB-c port on my phone to the micro USB on the Schiit Modi but it comes through with very distorted sound. I have used the dongle as that only allows a headphone jack output and I don't think there's a cable for 3.50 headphone to micro USB. I'm unclear whether or not I can go directly out of the USB-c on my phone directly to the Modi or if the phones built-in DAC is interfering with the Modi..??? Or something else perhaps.  Thank you in advance! 
icarus12
sonicjoy
146 posts
 
I am in the process of doing the same basic thing. I’m using a LG V30 phone and am going to hook it up with a usb C to usb B cable to my Wyred 4 Sound DAC2. It is supposed to work fine. Keep in mind that the headphone jack on most devices is an analog output. You must use the micro usb which is the digital output. They do make the cable you need. I just orderd an Audioquest cable and they do have a micro usb to usb A or B depending on what the usb input on your DAC is. I have also order a Wyred 4 Sound Recovery USB reclocker which should really improve the performance over the stock phone. I talked to EJ the owner of Wyred and he confirmed that it should work great.
sonicjoy
146 posts
 
PS. To answer your question directly, yes it should work fine. And it may even sound better than your computer. I currently am using a Wyred 4 Sound bLink which is a digital reclocker for SPIDF (optical/RCA) outputs and it also has blue tooth that I use to stream from my tablet and phone. And I have to say it sounds fantastic! Im hoping that a direct wired connection will be even better. My LG V30 handles hi res streaming so should sound great. You may just be surprised. Good luck!
sonicjoy
146 posts
 
I just looked up the Modi 3. Doesn't the included cable fit your phone? It's usb micro on the phone end and usb-C on the DAC end. usb micro and usb-C are very similar but not the same. If it doesn't fit then you probably need a usb-C to usb-C cable. Hope this helps. My cable should be here today and I will post back here and let you know how it works.
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