Looking for compatible portable Headphone Amp/DAC for iPhone with lightning connector

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Level 2

243 points

Looking for compatible portable Headphone Amp/DAC for iPhone with lightning connector

As the title says, I'm looking for a compatible portable HPA/DAC that is actually recognized by my phone if I plug it in. I have tried a FiiO Snowsky Melody -- which claims to work with iOS in their marketing materials -- but my phone will not recognize it as a device, and it doesn't even show up in FiiO's own iOS FiiO Control app. Works fine when I connect to my Mac Mini (Audio MIDI app sees it as a USB device, etc...), but my iPhone hates it, so now I am stuck looking for a different option.

Why does Apple restrict things so much?? It would certainly make things a lot easier if they didn't gate-keep so much.

Ideally, I would like it to have an iOS app that does actually control the device, has some kind of PEQ functionality, and has a FW update available that addresses the DRE distortion issue as it is outlined here:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/on-the-distortion-of-cirrus-logic-cs431xx-based-devices-a-comparative-review.63038/

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Dec 31, 2025 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Level 10

301,946 points

Jan 1, 2026 4:30 AM in response to discostu514

You cannot directly connect your iPhone's Lightning connection to the USB-C input of your FiiO Snowsky Melody - as your iPhone lacks the USB Controller required to connect to a USB device.

To connect your iPhone and FiiO DAC, you will require a suitable USB Adapter:

Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter - Apple

Don't be fooled by the name of this Adapter - as it incorporates the necessary USB Root Hub/Controller that is needed to communicate with connected USB accessories. You will also require a USB Type-A to USB-C cable.

In addition to a USB port, the Adapter also has a Lightning connector that supports connection of your Power Adapter - this providing pass-through charging of your iPhone and an additional power source for connected USB devices.

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

301,946 points

Jan 2, 2026 2:33 AM in response to discostu514

Perhaps you misunderstood the explanation that I have already provided. In more detail...

Yours is fundamentally a hardware issue - not software, or intentional denial of access to connected hardware. Your iPhone has a Lightning interface - not USB. Lightning is not USB with a proprietary plug/connector.

As your iPhone has a Lightning port - and you seek to connect a USB device to the iPhone - you will require a Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter.

You cannot simply use a USB-C to Lightning cable to directly connect USB accessories to a Lightning equipped iPhone. USB accessories require connection to a host device that incorporates a USB Controller / USB Root Hub - these components being entirely absent from Lightning.

However, the required USB hardware components can be added through connection of the Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter. This adapter contains an Interface converter, USB 3.0 Controller and USB Root Hub - presenting a USB 3.0 Type-A connection to which you may connect many (but not all) categories of USB devices. USB Device support by iPhone is generally limited to Mass Storage devices, basic HID devices (such as wired Keyboard and basic Mouse) and audio DAC.

For iPhone models that incorporate a USB-C port, you have greater flexibility in the devices that can be directly connect to the iPhone - as the necessary USB Controller is already incorporated in the iPhone hardware; no interface conversion is required.

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Answer 3

discostu514 Author

Level 2

243 points

Jan 1, 2026 7:39 PM in response to LotusPilot

There has to be a better solution.

And it doesn't excuse Apple from basically blocking these companies from allowing people to control the devices they purchase through the iOS apps they provide.

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