HT202783: About Apple Lightning docks

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finding_quality
Level 1 (2 points)

Q: 6S docked to A1605 dock. rear audio port passing headphone audio instead of line-out, despite being connected to an external amp. problem in device recognition?

Interesting behavior noticed:

 

iPhone 6S (64GB model) docked to a model A1605 Lightning Dock is passing headphone audio out the dock's rear audio port, instead of line-level audio, when connected to a Schiit Vali headphone amp. The phone's onboard volume control remains active, and the audio passed out the dock's rear port is of substantially poorer quality compared to a docked 5S or to the 6S with headphones plugged directly...

 

Is this a possible problem in device recognition? Previous phone/dock combinations recognize this device correctly, passing line-level audio out the rear audio port, and disabling the phone's on-board volume adjustment.

Posted on Sep 29, 2015 12:03 PM

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Q: 6S docked to A1605 dock. rear audio port passing headphone audio instead of line-out, despite being connected to an external amp. ... more

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  • by finding_quality,

    finding_quality finding_quality Sep 29, 2015 8:08 PM in response to finding_quality
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Sep 29, 2015 8:08 PM in response to finding_quality

    Additional information, after visit to apple store:

    • Problem exists using both A1605 (older white Lightning dock) and A1707 (new colored aluminum dock) models.
    • Problem exists with at least three different stereo systems, including the Marshall bluetooth amp sold at Apple Store.
    • Interestingly, the dock does NOT need to be connected via lightning cable to a USB power source, but in fact draws power from the iPhone, and/or behaves passively, passing audio through without a powered circuit. (unsure which)

     

    Next steps during upcoming Genius Bar adventure:

    • test with a different 6S
    • test with a different iphone (6, probably) using the same dock.