How to set up Phone -> USB-C -> DAC -> Speakers

[Ha-Satan]

So first, please bear with me, I don't know jack shit about audio equipment (which is kind of embarrassing considering I have 2 degrees in music and work in the university music building).

 

Basically, what I am wanting to do is to build a DIY networked "boom box" that I can move around my house and stream music from my Jellyfin server. In other words, the speakers, streaming client, and DAC would all need to be integrated into a single unit (which I would maybe assemble with 3D printed parts)?

 

I originally imagined this using a Raspberry Pi or other SBC with an attached touch screen, but then it occurred to me that I could maybe just use an old phone instead. But in order to make that work, I would need to be able to be getting power to the phone through the same cable that is also attaching it to the DAC. Would this work?

 

Also, presuming that the power situation works, I'm imagining that I can just plug the phone into the DAC and then plug the DAC directly into the speakers. Am I missing any critical components here?

 

Then, like I said, I would probably build a housing with a built-in surge protector so that I can just plug everything in with a single plug whenever I want to move it to another room.

 

Let me know your thoughts! TIA

[RONOTHAN##]

7 minutes ago, Ha-Satan said:

it occurred to me that I could maybe just use an old phone instead. But in order to make that work, I would need to be able to be getting power to the phone through the same cable that is also attaching it to the DAC. Would this work?

Yeah, there's plenty of USB splitters, some of which are marketed for this exact purpose (one for charging, one for accessories). 

 

8 minutes ago, Ha-Satan said:

Also, presuming that the power situation works, I'm imagining that I can just plug the phone into the DAC and then plug the DAC directly into the speakers. Am I missing any critical components here?

Technically you would need an amplifier of some sort, though most things that are advertised as DACs are usually DAC/amp combo units, so in practice it'll more depend on the exact components that you'll use. 

[Ha-Satan]

22 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Technically you would need an amplifier of some sort, though most things that are advertised as DACs are usually DAC/amp combo units, so in practice it'll more depend on the exact components that you'll use. 

Do you have any recommendations for a DAC/amp combo unit? Ideally one that is fairly small and not crazy expensive...like under $300? Whenever I look at audio equipment it seems like things get really expensive really quickly.

[RONOTHAN##]

13 minutes ago, Ha-Satan said:

Do you have any recommendations for a DAC/amp combo unit? Ideally one that is fairly small and not crazy expensive...like under $300? Whenever I look at audio equipment it seems like things get really expensive really quickly.

Not really, I know the theory of audio gear, but don't follow specifics, especially in the speaker space. I know there are a lot available under $300 though, just not which ones are actually worth the money and which you should avoid. 

[OddOod]

Will you be plugging this in? Or do you need it to be battery powered?
Honestly, for a jank setup, I'd normally go with a jank no-name amp off amazon, but you could probably use a Schiit Fulla 2 if you want it to be *nice*

[Ha-Satan]

6 minutes ago, OddOod said:

Will you be plugging this in? Or do you need it to be battery powered?

It'll be plugged in! I just want it to be a single unit so I can take it downstairs to the gym for my workouts.

[GuiltySpark_]

 

1 hour ago, Ha-Satan said:

I'm imagining that I can just plug the phone into the DAC and then plug the DAC directly into the speakers.

Are these powered speakers? 

[Ha-Satan]

16 minutes ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

 

Are these powered speakers? 

I don't know yet because I haven't picked them out yet, but probably! My idea is to build a surge protector into the unit with everything plugged into it so I only have to plug in one cable to set it up wherever I take it.

[GuiltySpark_]

2 minutes ago, Ha-Satan said:

I don't know yet because I haven't picked them out yet, but probably! My idea is to build a surge protector into the unit with everything plugged into it so I only have to plug in one cable to set it up wherever I take it.

There are a zillion compact powered 2.0 stereo speakers from $100 to thousands so you're all set there. 

 

Picking a powered set eliminates the need for an amplifier to fiddle with and integrate into your setup.

 

So what you need is just a DAC... honestly, I don't see why you couldn't just use an Apple dongle for something dirt cheap and simple. If you have a Type C based iPhone, this is a no brainer.

[Ha-Satan]

6 minutes ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

There are a zillion compact powered 2.0 stereo speakers from $100 to thousands so you're all set there. 

 

Picking a powered set eliminates the need for an amplifier to fiddle with and integrate into your setup.

 

So what you need is just a DAC... honestly, I don't see why you couldn't just use an Apple dongle for something dirt cheap and simple. If you have a Type C based iPhone, this is a no brainer.

The phone I'd probably use is a 2020 Moto G Power, so now I just need to figure out if there are any functional power+data splitters for it.

[Blue4130]

6 hours ago, Ha-Satan said:

So first, please bear with me, I don't know jack shit about audio equipment (which is kind of embarrassing considering I have 2 degrees in music and work in the university music building).

 

Basically, what I am wanting to do is to build a DIY networked "boom box" that I can move around my house and stream music from my Jellyfin server. In other words, the speakers, streaming client, and DAC would all need to be integrated into a single unit (which I would maybe assemble with 3D printed parts)?

 

I originally imagined this using a Raspberry Pi or other SBC with an attached touch screen, but then it occurred to me that I could maybe just use an old phone instead. But in order to make that work, I would need to be able to be getting power to the phone through the same cable that is also attaching it to the DAC. Would this work?

 

Also, presuming that the power situation works, I'm imagining that I can just plug the phone into the DAC and then plug the DAC directly into the speakers. Am I missing any critical components here?

 

Then, like I said, I would probably build a housing with a built-in surge protector so that I can just plug everything in with a single plug whenever I want to move it to another room.

 

Let me know your thoughts! TIA

Why not just use a simple bluetooth speaker? Why does the phone need to be integrated to it? If it's just for moving around the house and using in the gym, this is where bluetooth speakers shine.

[Ha-Satan]

2 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

Why not just use a simple bluetooth speaker? Why does the phone need to be integrated to it? If it's just for moving around the house and using in the gym, this is where bluetooth speakers shine.

Because that's not as fun lol

[saintlouisbagels]

18 hours ago, Ha-Satan said:

Because that's not as fun lol

I would say plugging in is not fun lol.

The past year I've purchased 4x Sonos Era 300, 1 for every room I care about, and it is awesome seamlessly hearing music when walking between rooms.

As for sound quality, they still surprise to this day because of how huge they are capable of sounding despite being in a relatively compact body.

 

It also helps that Sonos sells them for 20% all year long on their eBay store
https://www.ebay.com/itm/386838176956

 

For reference, my desktop speaker setup is a weird 3.0 KEF LS50 Meta setup (2 speakers is MSRP $1600), so I'm not just blindly saying the Era 300 sound good lol.