First, I understand that manufacturing defects sometimes happen. This is what the Six Sigma cult teaches us. Anyway, I have really good headphones and a good quality USB DAC. I prefer to listen to my music in the evenings without disturbing anyone when everyone else is watching this reality TV garbage. Before purchasing this adapter, my USB DAC was connected to an Apple Camera Card adapter. Works great but is a bit wide and clunky in the pocket. I didn't want to spend extra money on an official Lightning/USB adapter. It was a little tedious to install the USB drive (Audioquest DragonFly) from the box. No problem, most likely it will stay in the adapter anyway. Connected the lightning connector to my iPhone 8. The Tidal app opened. Started playing the first tune through the phone speakers! He took out, flipped the lightning cord. SUCCESS! Music plays in the headphones, a pair of classic Grados. I put my phone in my pocket and started walking the dogs. tide stops. He moved things, music began to play. I gave up and took out my BT headphones. Later that evening I was on the terrace and wanted to watch the Revain video on my iPad. I connected the adapter, there is no sound. I flipped the Lightning cable, there is sound. Until I moved the iPad, the connection was lost again. Gave up, put the adapter in the bag and started the return process.