So, correct me if I'm missing something (there's precious little documentation out there), but attempts to standardize support for analog audio over USB C using the sideband pins [1] is still fairly new, and perhaps most importantly, not required by any USB specification but the cable/port specification [2].
From this, I assume that audio accessory support is unlikely to be implemented by all USB chip manufacturers, so attempting to use it as any kind of standard would fall flat on it's face. Whereas any USB C port will support USB communication, making a DAC interface an obvious one.
I think this is a valid concern, that it will not be implemented. I just wanted to get an idea of where the initial statement was coming from.
I guess I'm a little more idealistic in that I think it's too expensive to put DACs in earbuds shipped by phones, and trying to switch both (port + expensive earbuds) at the same time may be too much. I'm hopeful this means we'll see initial implementations of analog support on the first phones that make this switch, and thus set the expectations.
Of course, I'm usually proven wrong about such things :)
From this, I assume that audio accessory support is unlikely to be implemented by all USB chip manufacturers, so attempting to use it as any kind of standard would fall flat on it's face. Whereas any USB C port will support USB communication, making a DAC interface an obvious one.
[1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/10273/intel-proposes-to-use-us... [2] "Accessory Mode support by phones/notebooks aren’t mandatory, so consumers will need to read the fine print on their new electronic device to determine if audio over USB Type-C is supported or not." http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/usb-type-c-unplugg...