Dragonfly DAC with iPhone - Update

NOTE:  I have written a new article on this subject that address a different way to use the iPad/iPhone with Dragonfly that you may want to check out after reading the article below:

I wrote about the Audioquest Dragonfly DAC a while back.   The main issue with using it with the iPhone and Camera Connection Kit (more about that later) was that you get a dreaded message that says: 

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Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter

With any solution, you need an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to plug into the Lightning Port to adapt a USB port to the newer iPhones.  

Power

Since you get a message that you need more power, you have to add a power supply or a way to trick the iPhone into thinking it is getting power so that it will send an audio signal.  In the past, I have written about putting a Dr. Bott T3Hub (3 port USB Hub) in the chain and it will allow you to play audio through the port without needing a power source.  Unfortunately, Dr Bott is no longer in business and it is next to impossible to find a T3hub.  Therefore, I have been on a search for a way to get the Dragonfly to work with the iPhone that doesn't require the T3hub.  On Youtube, I ran across the following video.  I haven't tried this approach myself, but it appears to be a way to use an iPhone with the Dragonfly.

The issue with this approach is that the whole setup gets cumbersome.  However, it supplies the power separately, so it should make your iPhone battery last longer and getting more power could, in theory, help with sound quality.  I may try it at some point and post about it here.  

As I mentioned, the T3Hub is a solution that works on both the older 30 pin iPhones and iPads that I have tested (I have used it with a 4S and an iPad 3) and newer Lightning port iPhones and iPads (I have used it with a 6 Plus and iPad Air 2).   If you can find a T3hub, I would recommend picking it up if you need the ultimate amount of versatility.

With the inability to find the T3hub on the market, I have been looking for a new solution and I finally found one that works with the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPad Air 2.  It DOES NOT WORK with my 16 pin devices, so you may have to go with the solution from hifiguy528 above.  The Plugable USB 2.0 2-Port High Speed Ultra Compact Hub ($9.95 on Amazon when I wrote this review) is slightly less cumbersome than the T3hub since it only has two USB ports and the connector is on a flexible cable which means it is less likely to be damaged if it is jarred while being connected.  With the T3Hub, I used a "Dragontail" in between devices to make sure the male USB part would be less likely to be damaged.  Below is a picture of the Plugable in the chain:

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Testing and compatibility

I have tested this setup with Sennheiser HD580 Headphones, AKG K701 Headphones, Shure SRH940 Headphones, Audio-Technica M50 Headphones, and Etymotic Research ER4P Ear-in Headphones and it has worked with all of them without a problem.  I am not guaranteeing that it will work with your devices, even if you own the same stuff I own, because there could be differences in manufacturing processes.  I have never heard of the company (Plugable Technologies) that makes them, so I can't vouch for the consistency in their processes.  However, I did get an email from them when I purchased the device.  I answered the email and they sent me a response.   So at least it appears that there is somebody there to help.

As I noted above, this setup does not work with my 30 pin devices.  I don't know that it works with all Lightning Port iPhones, either.  However, it works as a USB 2.0 hub, as well, so you could probably find a different use for it if you aren't as successful.   Another possible issue, is that Apple could possibly make this "hack" go away with a firmware update.

I want to caution that you should buy this now if you are on the fence about it.  Not knowing the company, they could stop making it tomorrow and we would be in the same boat as we are with the T3Hub.  Since they are cheap, I am going to buy a couple more, just in case.  I mentioned in the past that people should pick up apps like AIrMusic before they go away and I know people that visit my AirMusic app review are disappointed when they find that the app is no longer available.  

If you decide to go this route with your Dragonfly or similar DAC, please leave a comment or send me an email about how or if it works in your setup.  

A couple new notes:  I have since ordered a couple more Plugable hubs and they all work with the iPhone 6 Plus.  I also tested the iPhone 6 Plus with the original Nuforce uDac and it works with the Plugable hub and the iPhone 6 Plus, as well.