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

Showing 4 responses by uberwaltz

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.
Now that is interesting.
Wonder if same update on iPad will give same result.
Be nice to remove the powered hub, just one mess of wiring less to deal with.
Thx!
Good deal!
Maybe consider a powered USB hub as it lets you tidy up the wiring a little maybe and don't have to worry about battery life on the iPhone.
Good luck and enjoy the music.
It could very well be a power issue.
Technically no iPhone or iPad should work like that as there is just not enough juice supplied by it for the Dragonfly and Jitterbug combo.
However some do, obviously the 6 does.
I had EXACTLY the same issue with my iPad mini2.
I solved it by adding a powered usb3 hub before the chain.
Instant success and just $22 from Wal-Mart, or even less from Amazon.