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.

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32 replies

Jan 31, 2018 3:58 PM in response to CountryGirl56

Dragonfly can be plugged directly to a thunderbolt display. I have done that for years without problems. The problem for me started with one of the MacOS updates late 2017, I dont remember which one.

Have anyone tried to connect a powered usb hub to the thunderbolt display and connect the dragonfly to the usb hub? that was a tip I got from audioquest support.

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

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macOS 10.13.2 USB audio issue