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Sergiyko Author

Level 1

16 points

macOS 10.13.2 USB audio issue

I have AudioQuest Dragonfly Red and Back DACs, connected to USB ports of Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Since macOS 10.13.2, which "Improves compatibility with certain third-party USB audio devices", both DACs start to intrude the horrible ripping/screeching noise on audio, played through DACs. This seems to be Thunderbolt Display USB audio issue, as DACs work ok, while connected to the MacBook directly.

Now 10.13.3 and it still exists. Is there any workaround on this issue? Has anyone meet something similar?

iPhone 7, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Jan 23, 2018 1:55 PM

Top-ranking reply

Beau Hartshorne

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2018 9:28 AM

I have the same issue. I have a touch bar MacBook Pro and have the issue when connected to an old Apple Thunderbolt display or when connected to a new LG 5k Thunderbolt 3 display. So far the only workaround is to plug the DAC into an Apple USB-C to USB adapter, and plug the adapter directly into my computer. I've contacted AudioQuest support, and they weren't able to help.

View in context

32 replies

Jan 31, 2018 3:31 PM in response to Beau Hartshorne

That is my experience as well, dragonfly Red likes 48,000 Hz better than the rest of the Hz

Jan 31, 2018 4:00 PM in response to KristianO33

Are you using the Apple Thunderbolt display? That seems to be the issue.

Jan 31, 2018 4:06 PM in response to CountryGirl56

Yes, I am using thunderbolt display 27 inch

Jan 31, 2018 4:14 PM in response to KristianO33

There were two versions. One with Mag-Safe and one without. I don't know if that makes a difference. I don't use a Thunderbolt display so I'm bowing out.

Sergiyko Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 1, 2018 9:27 AM in response to Beau Hartshorne

Doesn't work for me - I had interference at any frequency, with latest macOS 10.13.3 and Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Feb 1, 2018 1:40 PM in response to Sergiyko

Has anyone tried to connect a different DAC to the thunderbolt display?

Feb 6, 2018 12:17 PM in response to Sergiyko

I have a strange issue with facetime on my macbook pro. There is some static background noise. I dont have that issue with facetime on my ipad 2017 and iphone x. Could it be related?

Sergiyko Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 6, 2018 12:32 PM in response to KristianO33

No issues with Facetime, works ok for me, only USB DACs fail.

Feb 7, 2018 12:32 PM in response to Sergiyko

I just installed latest update of macos available for developers, looks promising so far, no DAC sound issues. Hopefully the problem has been addressed and fixed 🙂

Sergiyko Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 7, 2018 12:36 PM in response to KristianO33

Nice to hear it! I've added a feedback on macOS with this discussion linked, hope issue will be fixed with next macOS update!

Sergiyko Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 7, 2018 2:30 PM in response to KristianO33

Yeah, I now what that stuttering sounds like ... , it’s terrible and making me nervous very quickly. I’m listening my NightHawks connected to the MacBook Pro 2017 jack. Hope it will be fixed soon.

SFSetse

Level 1

4 points

Feb 15, 2018 5:37 AM in response to KristianO33

The problem started with 10.13.2 for me, and continues with 10.13.3. It happens with both the DragonFly Red (v1.0) and DragonFly Black (v1.5).

anton215

Level 1

4 points

Feb 15, 2018 3:19 PM in response to Sergiyko

Also having this issue with an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock and an AudioQuest Dragonfly Black on 10.13.3.

Will test with a vanilla usb-c dock to confirm that this issue is thunderbolt devices only.

Feb 15, 2018 3:40 PM in response to anton215

thanks, it would be nice to know if it is the thunderbolt screen only.. I only know that it works fine if I connect the usb dac directly to the macbook.

Mar 6, 2018 2:48 PM in response to KristianO33

looks like it is finally fixed in the latest macos avaliable for devs, version released today 🙂

macOS 10.13.2 USB audio issue