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Possible iOS-13 and Audioquest Dragonfly Red compatibility issue

Here's my problem: I replaced my now obsolete iPhone 6 with an iPhone 11 (iOS-13.1.2). I am using an Apple Lightening-USB 3 camera dongle (it has a Lightening power/charging port, a Lightening phone connector and a USB slot) to connect a set of Etymotic Research ER4-SR earphones to the iPhone. The ER4-SR is plugged into the Dragonfly which is itself plugged into an Audioquest Jitterbug. The chain is:iPhone 11-->USB-3 connector-->Jitterbug-->Dragonfly-->Etymotic earphones.

This set-up functioned perfectly with the iPhone 6 using iOS-12 but it doesn't work with iOS-13 on the new phone. Interestingly, this ensemble continues to work flawlessly when playing AudioEngine A2+ speakers (wall powered) with both the iPhone 11 and also with the iPhone 6. 

When I insert the USB-3 connector-->Jitterbug-->Dragonfly-->earphones into the iPhone 11, the Dragonfly "powers up" but there's no sound transmission through the earphones. I've removed the Jitterbug and just used the Dragonfly + USB connector + earphones: same problem. I've checked the phone's Lightening port with the Apple-supplied Lightening earbuds and they work. I re-tested the Etymotic earphones in this chain connected to the iPhone 6 and they work. So, it doesn't seem to be component failure.

In summary, as far as I can tell I've sequentially tested each component of this chain and everything works except when the ensemble is plugged into the iPhone 11 separated from external power. Based on all this, it seems to be a power issue. 

I've called Audioquest and spoke to someone in customer service. He is not aware of any incompatibilities. 

I've ordered a Lightening-->3.5mm connector so I can use the Etymotic earphones without the Audioquest components. A compromise that falls short of audiophile standards but hopefully it will work.

Any insights? Have I overlooked anything? Has anyone else had a problem of this sort?
kacomess
kacomess OP
199 posts
 
I think our posts crossed in-transit, but here are my quick thoughts:

1) If I understood your posting correctly (I’m reading this on a portable device so I may have overlooked/misunderstood some detail), you obtain good quality sound when the **powered** USB hub is in the chain: is that correct?

2) If so, that’s precisely what I encountered when my phone’s Lightening port was hooked into an Apple branded connector-->Jitterbug-->DragonFly-->Etymotic and when this device chain was run from iPhone (11) battery power. However, when the phone was plugged into a wall socket, all this worked properly. That was my first clue that this was a power issue.

3) If it’s the case that the DragonFly powered up properly but no sound without a powered USB hub, to me that suggests your earphones are drawing too much power for the port to supply.

4) If I’m wrong and your earphones work after an initial run-through with the powered hub and they continue to work *after* the powered USB hub has been removed and the rest of the set-up is plugged into the Lightening port, it may be the case that iOS is somehow re-setting. If that’s what’s happening, it’s a possibly a new security feature: iOS 10.13.x has a built-in setting used to defeat snooping hardware (e.g., Cellebrite’s famed/infamous hacking device). With the phone powered on but if the user doesn’t permit access, the Cellebrite gizmo can mirror the contents when plugged into the Lightening port. Apple blocks that attack once the phone has not been accessed for some (arbitrarily chosen) time: about an hour, last I read, but that may have been revised.
KAC
fkuebler
6 posts
 
If I understood your posting correctly, you obtain good quality sound when the **powered** USB hub is in the chain: is that correct? 
The sound quality is independent (and good) from whether I have the powered USB hub in the chain or not. But it lasts only for 80 seconds before it switches itself down, respectively is switched down by my IOS 13.3. BTW: I tried to downgrade to IOS 12, but Apple does no longer allow that.
...it may be the case that iOS is somehow re-setting. If that’s what’s happening, it’s a possibly a new security feature: iOS 13.x has a built-in setting used to defeat snooping hardware...
Something like this may be happening after 80 seconds, but I have no clue.

As a matter of last resort I have ordered the original (expensive) Apple camera adaptor, i.e. a lightning to USB plus lightning adaptor. Will get it on Saturday and will report.

After I have experienced within these repeated 80 seconds how audibly (and I'm sure not an audiophile guy!) the sound quality to my Sennheiser IE800 ist improved by a good DAC like the Dragonfly, I'm really somewhat desperate to enjoy this for more than 80 seconds...

Am I right to assume, that a reasonably priced Bluetooth adapter does not match the sound quality of a physically connected DAC? Otherwise I might try to circumvent the experienced problems by using a BT connector. If so, are there any recommendations?

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
You may find the genuine Apple $40 connection will fix your problems.

Before I discovered I needed extra USB power I tried to use a generic made in China connection off eBay and it completely failed to even see anything attached.
A Walmart dash and $40 later we were talking.

Good luck.
fkuebler
6 posts
 
You may find the genuine Apple $40 connection will fix your problems.
Damn boy, how right you are!!!

I just received my Apple USB3 camera kit from Amazon (€45, $29), and it works indeed.

For the very moment i'm happy ;-)
kacomess OP
199 posts
 
I've had that same issue with non-Apple products. Mysteriously, while these "clones" all claim to be interchangeable, oftentimes they aren't. While Apple's stuff is usually more expensive, the company does a good job with assuring compatibility and (generally) durability, too.
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