Jiemaster1957 and Qua2k
Don't know if this helps but on this Forum for the C9 around March of 2021,
@Andykong had left a lot of information on when the C9 can be connected and when it can't be, to devices that are charging.
From his comments during that time, I would not say it's a design defect, and more of a design decision to not introduce electrical distortion to the sound, and Andy did leave a lot of information on this forum/the site.
I could only find this link for now (and I do not want to speak for anyone who should be responding to your question), but if it helps you, there was a pretty long running thread and will leave it for
@Andykong to reply with the correct answer, but if it helps, this is around when the thread of charging was discussed
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...dphone-amplifier.943135/page-48#post-16152883
If this helps also, in the Orient the time leading up to New Years is when many take off of work, and are with family.
New Years is a bigger holiday there than our combined Thanksgiving and Christmas Break, and I know on other theads here on Head-Fi I'm on several where responders have apologized for not responding sooner because of this.
Not making any excuses for anyone, just putting that fact out there, as usually people are VERY quick to respond here on head-fi, but the holidays have all seemed to have put people behind the 8ball in responding.
Again would wait for @ AndyKong to reply, but maybe the link above will help you