Audioquest Dragonlfy and the new MacBook Pro

[lex365]

I have been running an Audioquest Dragonfly off a 2012 Macbook Pro to a Nad d 3020 amp and getting some stunning sound however I am encountering some issues since upgrading to the new Macbook Pro 2016. The sound difference is pretty big between the two on account of the new machine sounds a lot worse. Clarity and definition has reduced significantly and everything sounds a little more muffled. The only differing factor is I use a USB C to USB adapter between the Mac and the Dragonfly (the actual set up goes Mac, Jitterbug, Dragonfly, Amp).

I appreciate this may be a little specialist but would anyone be able to advise in the drop in sound quality and clarity? Could this all be down to a USB C adapter sitting between the Jitterbug and the Mac?

 

[chebby]

Have you set it up correctly in system preferences and Audio MIDI etc?

http://www.audioquest.com/pdfs/dragonfly/DragonFly-FlightManual-EN.pdf

 

[lex365]

I had aside from outputting the mac sounds to the built in speakers. However its leaning towards a USB-C adapter issue as thats the only real variable. the sound actually improves when I remove the DAC and use the heaphone out on the Mac to an RCA adapter where as this has the opposite effect on my old machine.

https://www.amazon.com/nonda-Adapter-Smallest-Aluminum-Indicator/dp/B015Z7XE0A

Can something like this really make a big difference to the quality of the sound?