Vivo Nex cannot use its built in Hi-Fi DAC mode under Hi-Res Output Mode

[disadroyer]

I've recently found that my Vivo Nex cannot use its built-in DAC chip to play music under Hi-Res output mode of Poweramp since I updated the device to the new system firmware.

The problem is very clear and it is shown in the following pictures. When I am under OpenSL ES Output, there is a notification of "Hi-Fi" shown on status bar, which means the device is currently using its built-in DAC chip to play the music.

However, when I switched to Hi-Res Output, the notification disappeared. The volume and sound quality of the music also significantly decreased.

     

As this problem is found after I've upgraded to the new official system firmware (Android 10), so I don't know whether it is a problem due to the new system firmware or the Poweramp app development.

I hope this issue can be brought under spotlight so the developer can check for it. The system information of my Vivo Nex is also provided below.

Device: Vivo Nex (Vivo 1805)

Vivo Rom: Funtouch OS_10

Android Version: Android 10

Software Version: PD1805F_EX_A_8.9.1

Baseband Version: 845_GEN_PACK-1.268619.1.279566.1

Kernel Version: 4.9.186-perf+

 

[disadroyer]

One more information to add on which is the Audio Outputs Detection Log. The info is as follow.

 

20:35:45.888 v3-build-872-arm64-play
Device: vivo vivo vivo 1805 1805 sdm845 "qcom" 1805 QP1A.190711.020 release-keys [arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a, armeabi]

reading=/vendor/etc/audio_output_policy.conf
has direct_pcm_24, sampling_rates=44100|48000|88200|96000|176400|192000|352800|384000
AUDIO_OUTPUT_FLAG_DIRECT direct_pcm_24
has direct_pcm_24 formats=AUDIO_FORMAT_PCM_24_BIT_PACKED|AUDIO_FORMAT_PCM_8_24_BIT|AUDIO_FORMAT_PCM_32_BIT
FLAG_VARIANT_DIRECT_HD via direct_pcm_24
forcing FLAG_DLFCN FLAG_NEEDS_DEEP_BUFFER FLAG_NEEDS_EXTRA_SLEEPS
USB can handle Hi-Res - sdk=29
OK flags=0x874616600000000
FLAG_VARIANT_DIRECT_HD
FLAG_SUPPORTS_PCM_8_24
FLAG_SUPPORTS_PCM_24
FLAG_SUPPORTS_PCM_32
FLAG_SUPPORTS_UNITY_GAIN_STREAM
FLAG_SUPPORTS_USB
FLAG_NEEDS_EXTRA_SLEEPS
FLAG_SUPPORTS_LDAC
FLAG_DLFCN
FLAG_NEEDS_DEEP_BUFFER
FLAG_ALLOW_DVC_EFFECT
FLAG_BT_DVC_EFFECT
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_384K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_352K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_192K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_176K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_96K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_88K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_48K
INTERNAL_OUTPUT_FLAG_SR_44K

[maxmp]

From the log and your description, hi-res output works (and thus produces hi-res output). As for Hi-Fi, this term is about 44.1kHz/16bit quality.

I guess decreased volume is due to the non-working DVC, so I suggest manually switching to 192kHz in Hi-Res output settings and ensuring No DVC options is unchecked there. 

Thanks!

[wormant1]

On 5/27/2020 at 10:17 PM, maxmp said:

As for Hi-Fi, this term is about 44.1kHz/16bit quality.

 

you're saying Vivo's supposed "hi-fi" DAC only output at 44.1k/16bit? could you please clarify a bit more?

[disadroyer]

I have tried various methods already. What I think is that Vivo has changed the Hi-Fi detection algorithm in the latest ROM. That's why it won't use its built in DAC except changing to OpenSL ES Output.

[MeatWolf]

Since Vivo Nex as I get it doesn't have a system EQ, what will happen if Music FX is tapped in Poweramp options? And in case anyone knows, will third party EQ like Wavelet work as a system EQ replacement along with Poweramp on Nex? 

[andrewilley]

There are some fairly major updates planned for the PA equaliser soon, including parametric controls and bands. PA's EQ module will also soon be available as a separate stand-alone app so it can control other audio output too.

You can have other system EQ and audio processing controls active too, but they are unlikely to work with Hi-Res audio and you may need to turn PA's DVC  mode off in order for them to work.

Andre

[MeatWolf]

@andrewilley  I listen via bluetooth OpenSL ES Hi Res so that's not gonna be a problem. I just want to clarify if I can use something else in addition to PA EQ on Nex because currently I use system EQ along with PA EQ on my Sony and Nex doesn't have any. 

[andrewilley]

You can try, but layering multiple EQs on top of each other is unlikely do much good for your audio quality - if indeed they work at all with High-Res output.

Andre

[wormant1]

On 9/9/2020 at 3:12 PM, MeatWolf said:

Since Vivo Nex as I get it doesn't have a system EQ, what will happen if Music FX is tapped in Poweramp options? And in case anyone knows, will third party EQ like Wavelet work as a system EQ replacement along with Poweramp on Nex? 

Without a 3rd party EQ app the MusicFX option in "Advanced Tweaks" will simply be greyed out and tells you "not supported by ROM".

Having a 3rd party EQ app will force MusicFX to be available and serves as the system EQ.

However, as you may have noticed from my posts, right now Vivo's Hi-Fi DAC does not like PA's Hi-Res output. 

[wormant1]

On 7/18/2020 at 12:55 PM, disadroyer said:

I have tried various methods already. What I think is that Vivo has changed the Hi-Fi detection algorithm in the latest ROM. That's why it won't use its built in DAC except changing to OpenSL ES Output.

I believe so too. Hi-Res used to work just fine with the hi-fi DAC on my Vivo X21a until a few months ago after a system update