so is their USB-C to headphone jack adapter, the US versions anyway https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/r...

the presence of a decent quality DAC in the official dongle is neat. I'm not super surprised, since Apple probably wouldn't want poor-quality audio associated with their brand.

edit 3: the rest of this comment doesn't add anything to the discussion, it's just griping. you are welcome to ignore it.

A DAC in every dongle. A DAC in every pair of earbuds. We went from one DAC to piles of them. I don't know that I will ever stop being bothered by this 'improvement'.

edit: yes, I know we don't actually put DACs in earbuds. I think. Please tell me that's not happening.

edit 2: Oh no that's really what's being done. I didn't realize Audio Accessory Mode was going away.

Other lightning compatible DACs exist. Apple’s dongle aren’t the only hardware for using wired headphones.

If you want you can just get a lightning to usb-c adapter and then an entire world of DACs and amps are available.

does lightning -> usb C -> 3.5mm not work? it requires an extra adapter but is better than nothing.

No, it isn't gross. Third party manufacturers both make lightning audio adapters and lightning to USB-C adapters.