I have tried 2 different USB-C dongle DACs now to hear Hi-Res sound quality over wired IEM's or Headphones. Nothing seems to work whether low or high power output from the dongle DAC. I have no issues with Micro-USB terminating dongle DAC's connected to my iPhone, but not if it's a USBC-C terminating dongle DAC, nothing.
Am I unlucky, or do (Lightning) iPhones simply not support USB-C connectivity
iPhone 14 Plus
Dongle-DACs yes.
However, the Apple dongle they used to provide with the iPhone 7, 8, X, is powered well enough, and so is my Hidizs S-8. The Apple dongle is native Lightning, with the DAC in the connector, but is a bit weak to drive Planar Magnetic or Hybrid IEM's (or cans > 32 ohms). The S-8 connects to the phone with a Lightning to USB-micro, not using any DAC in the Lightning connector part, and works well, but still under-powered through it's single ended jack for Planar Magnetics IEM's or 100+ ohm headphones. My iFi Hip DAC works well (but it's a powered DAC).
What hasn't worked yet have been any of the USB-C connected dongle DAC's I've bought so far. I'm trying to find out if they simply don't interface with iPhone - despite all product descriptions stating that they do. I have 2 USB-C dongle DAC's which work great with the current iPad Air on USB-C to USB-C connection. Neither of them (HiBy FC-4 & Truthear SHIO, both with both single ended & balanced outputs, BTW) work with my iPhone 14 Plus with the Lightning to USB-C connector. Consequently, for best sound quality, I'm just not using my iPhone as much.
Why not through USB-C? Dongle DAC's are generally all shifting to USB-C. I'm assuming the Lightning connected iPhones simply don't have enough juice through the USB-C interface, but looking for a confirmation from Apple so I don't continue to waste time/money on a better quality dongle.
I can't answer why they don't work. Ask the manufacturer of the dongle if they are fit for the purpose you're trying to use them for.
I believe the issue is that most DAC's require power, which an iPhone is not capable of powering.
Can an iPhone 14 drive a USB-C dongle DAC?
