stereophile dragonfly cobalt


Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise. It’s great to see that Dragonfly didn’t just cheap-out and do a minor refresh. Il se connecte en USB à votre ordinateur Mac/PC, ou à un appareil mobile sous iOS/Android For so many casual enthusiasts who had never previously considered the possibility of improving their digital-audio experience, DragonFly was nothing short of a revelation. It looks sensational !!! You can even use them for line level inputs. A message will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you specified, which will include a link to activate the account. This would be great considering I do most of my listening at work or commuting. I have been a book junkie all my life—the two long walls of my listening room are lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and I have many boxes of books in storage—but these days almost all my book reading is with the Kindle app on my iPad mini. Mostly the music plays on the big rig, but I also listen on headphones, driving them with the AudioQuest DragonFly Red USB DAC that Art Dudley reviewed in September 2016, plugged into the iPad mini. New, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound. I'd be interested to see how much better this one is. My little USB DAC was not able, to connect to my phone. this thing has to be a respectable Audiophile device if the Editor of the World's most Authoritative Audiophile Journal owns one. Would love to experience the flexebility Dragonfly offers. Then, when the sweepstakes closes, a lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive the prize. Audioquest has upgraded its DAC chip since it released the Dragonfly Red. 5.0 out of 5 stars. Paul. Had the old dragonfly's too and liked it very much! Stereophile's measurements of the original Dragonfly v1.0 showed a value of 0.68Ω and they listed "<1Ω" for the Red. And instead did what looks and sounds like, by this review, to be a big improvement to the DAC, more power efficient, and on top of that they made it smaller. Conclusion. Contoured enclosure measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47” (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller than its predecessors. Sonus faber Presents a Discussion of Their Lumina Family of Passive Loudspeakers, Palladio Architectural Series, and Gravis Subwoofers! I'd love to test this one out. Thanks Audioquest and Stereophile for this opportunity. In DragonFly Red and Cobalt, we were able to employ a highly sophisticated 64-step, 64-bit, bit-perfect digital volume control. My "rig" for the review consists of the DragonFly Cobalt, DragonFly Red, DragonTail USB C adapter, Apple Lightning to USB adapter, and Apple Lightning to USB 3 (with power port). DragonFly Cobalt wykorzystuje również mikroprocesor PIC32MX274 zwiększający prędkość obróbki danych o 33% oraz poprawione zasilanie, które zdaniem producenta zwiększa odporność urządzenia na zakłócenia pochodzące chociażby z sieci Wi-Fi czy połączeń Blueooth. Hifiman HE400i are sitting unused at the moment. As on the Red and Black, the DragonFly logo lights up in different colors to indicate status or sample rate: red for Standby mode; green for 44.1kHz data; blue for 48kHz; yellow for 88.2kHz (closer to lime green, I felt); light blue for 96kHz; and purple for MQA. Isn't she lovely ;). I use the Cobalt with my KZ-ZSX headset and for feeding my NAD C325BEE from my Macbook Air (yes I'm doing that) and in … ( jus say'n ) Of course JA2 is equally brilliant and is also brave enough to take sides with MQA and the lovely Devialet stuff. Now, more than ever before, naturally beautiful sound is right at your fingertips—however you want it, whenever you want it. $249.00. It's the only bug I won't swat. Would be great for my iPhone + Tidal Master! (Cobalt is a MQA-enabled-renderer product, so it ‘reveals’ the full MQA when paired with an MQA core decoder, like the Tidal app) Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA renderer. First I’ve heard of the new version so I’m pumped it’s a sweepstakes. Roses are red and I am blue (no cobalt, actually)! https://gearpatrol.com/2019/12/13/best-new-products-of-2019/. Please enter my name into the Cobalt drawing. Headphone DAC Supertest : DragonFly Cobalt. Small differences get much more noticeable over time. Thanks :). - A música … But this was not audible to the reviewer. This might get me listening to my headphones again. Have the Dragonfly 1.2 so would love to hear the difference in the latest version. The DragonFly sounded alive, as if I was within the music, while the ZuperDAC sounded flat and lifeless as if I was a distracted observer from the outside. It would be great to get one! In terms of fundamental functionality, we’re pleased to report little has changed since then. Microchip's superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33%. About DragonFly Cobalt. But these days I settle down to my reading in my listening chair, with my iPad both running the Kindle app and allowing me to control what I am listening to with the Roon app. I would love to listen to my music at work through the Dragonfly cobalt! Great article, good luck to all...but mostly to me! I bought a couple of the original Audioquest Dragonfly units before any of the colored models were released. Ditto > I'm anxious to hear the improvements as well! I have the original Dragonfly which was a revelation when I connected it to my Macbook. I really want to win this so that I can review it from a user's perspective. Is this a new trend? I was just browsing online for a portable alternative for my smart phone and saw Johnny Darko's review. Watch; W 2 6 L S p 5 0 o n O s o O A r e 3 d. AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter. I want a Dragonfly Cobalt to partner with my Audioquest Carbon cans. Steve Guttenberg July 20, 2019 6:57 a.m. PT Sony SA-Z1 nearfield active speaker system, Gramophone Dreams #46: Decware Zen Triode Amplifier, Wilson Audio Specialties SabrinaX loudspeaker, Pass Laboratories XP-32 line preamplifier, Counterpoint Natural Progression NPS-400 power amplifier, The FTC Proposes Eliminating Its "Amplifier Rule", Acoustic Geometry Room treatments (before & after), My current and likely the last home audio setup, Recording of February 2021: Newvelle Records Season Five, Recommended Components: Fall 2020 Edition. Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family— naturally beautiful, seductive sound —and strips away fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until Cobalt removed them. . The DragonFly Cobalt from AudioQuest is a flash drive-sized Digital Audio Converter (DAC), preamplifier, and headphone amplifier that natively connects to a USB Type-A port, or a USB Type-C port using an included USB Type-A to USB Type-C adapter. This one sounds even better. Play YouTube or Vimeo videos. I would wear my shirt backwards and inside-out. ( which tend to be nice but forgotten ). I do have an original DragonFly v1.0 in my laptop bag, if I ever need a better listening experience on the go, which has been a rarity lately. AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Is Exciting New Gear. AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter USB C adaptor (dragon tail) is included Native Resolution up to 24-bit / 96kHz DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound … I'd love to compare this with my Meridian Explorer 2! The best DAC was red now this one is blue, we all want a listen, I’ll want one too! Best thing to happen to smartphone music since smartphone music ......... AQ DragonFly :-) ......... That is something that is often overlooked in comparing audio components. Go hunting on Bandcamp or SoundCloud. I own a Dragonfly Black and I'd love to win the cobalt version! Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the Black and Red. I have been eyeing the new iFi Zen as an upgrade for my original iFi iDSD Nano, which has been dutifully performing my desktop tasks. Jim Austin examines the relevance of long-term listening in his "As We See It" essay in the January 2020 issue. ( our people are buying and showing new headphones, constantly, it's exciting ), Overall, I'd say and think that these Dragonflys are probably "Gateway" devices to Audiophile "leanings", it presents music as a beautiful & accessable life component. 49; 50 ... Stereophile Cobalt Review Admittedly, the Stereophile reviewer did comment on some measured clipping with very low impedance headphones at maximum output. And now comes DragonFly Cobalt ($299.95 US)—AudioQuest’s new flagship DAC. Listening For my initial listening sessions with the DragonFly Cobalt, I plugged it into one of the USB ports on my Roon Nucleus+ server. Koppel de Cobalt aan een versterker of een set actieve luidsprekers en laat de magie de ruimte vullen. To enter the sweepstakes, all you need is an account on this website. I too would love one, please to see/hear what the buzz is all about. Stereophile's Art Dudley enthusiastically summarized, “DragonFly is fun: It's a thumb in the eye of those tea-pinky tyrants who would tell the rest of us what is and is not high end. I plugged a pair of AudioQuest NightHawk headphones into the DragonFly's output jack and started playing music. Rolę wzmacniacza słuchawkowego pełni kość ESS Sabre 9601. People love them, use them 100% of the time, look for them if they get misplaced and keep thanking me for them. What do you get for the extra coin? Audioquest rules!! Great review, sir! Dragonfly Cobalt har en utspänning på 2,1 volt, vilket visade sig vara tillräckligt för att driva hörlurar som Sennheiser HD 660 S. Den har inte lika mycket ström som Chord Mojo i hörlursuttaget, men så är priset bara hälften också. This superior clock enables DragonFly Cobalt to provide greater resolution and clarity than DACs with multiple clocks. would love to see how this compares to my dragonfly red. A first step into "hi"-fi would be super nice--I'd pair it with a 6XX for sure. Would love to own this, these miniature DACs are awesome for portable use with a laptop/phone, you can’t be lugging around a Topping DX3 Pro or similar app the time. Het leek me niet alleen interessant maar ook logisch om de DragonFly Cobalt met de DragonFly Red te vergelijken. Roses are red, Dragonfly's blue, Hope I win one, I'll be happy if I do. The Blue one is pricier to gift, darn it. I have been using the dragonfly red for years and it has been outperforming units 4 times it’s price. I have the Black and would love to own the Cobalt! The warm reverb of Portland's St. Stephen's Catholic church, where I had made the recording, was presented around and behind the singers, though with the dark-sounding NightHawks, the reverb was overly warm. Game on! For non-portable applications, look at the SMSL-500, $399 on Amazon. I'd love to get my hands on it and jam!!! I want to to pair this with some Campfire IEM’s! Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA renderer. How is this possible? Performance is adequate for casual background listening, and I like the small form factor for some applications, but also that small form forces some compromise in some other applications (adapting mini-plug connectivity, lack of balanced output, lack of external volume knob, etc.). Includes AudioQuest's new DragonTail USB-A (female) to USB-C (male) adaptor to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports. been using Dragonfly Black for a while with my iphone Xr its fantastic cant wait to test this Dragonfly Cobalt. Isn't JA1 the highest Authority that we Audiophiles had ? not to mention an amp for my headphones. I love my Dragonfly red with Nightowl combo so much! Technical Editor, Stereophile. Le DAC portable AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt surpasse l'excellent DragonFly Red, en y ajoutant une nouvelle puce de conversion numérique-analogique ES9038Q2M, et un nouveau microcontrôleur PIC32MX274. Dragonfly fly by my window While the Cobalt's reconstruction filter is still a minimum-phase type, the ultrasonic roll-off is slower, which AudioQuest says results in a more natural sound. Meanwhile, even the most experienced audiophiles were compelled to reexamine long-held notions of what a DAC could and should be. An update from my original Dragonfly would be a most welcome contest prize. PS My Dad introduced me to stereophile and the audiophile world, you can thank him :), Would love to test this one out! Would also be interesting to compare it to my desktop headphone setup. Perfect timing. Stream high-res audio from Tidal or Qobuz. Dragonfly, you've been away too long. Perfect for listening to Tidal on my iPad. BAM ..i'm in...Thanks. I've heard a lot of good things about it from Darko Audio YT channel. The Cobalt has a 64 position volume control that gives it good range but for me it lacks a bit of volume on some full sized cans. Looking forward to adding the AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt to my computer audio out. This could be the answer to my dodgy headphone connection. Can’t wait to try this out. Like the DragonFly Red and Black, the Cobalt is limited to decoding data with a sample rate of 96kHz or lower. Media Converter AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Manual. Sonus faber Presents a Discussion of Their Lumina Family of Passive Loudspeakers, Palladio Architectural Series, and Gravis Subwoofers! This would be my entry into the DAC world - would be awesome. However, the Cobalt replaces the Red's Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller with the new Microchip PIC32MX274, which is specified as increasing processing speed by 33% while drawing less current. And now comes DragonFly Cobalt ($299.95 US)—AudioQuest’s new flagship DAC. I'm looking forward to experience the music and its best on the go. Well done, AudioQuest! Would love to compare this to my Dragonfly Black. Best regard Woodstock 50th Anniversary "Peace of Stage" and 5 Vinyl LP, Coppertone by Black Cat Cable Sweepstakes, AudioQuest NightOwl Carbon Headphones Sweepstakes, Bryston Target HR50 Loudspeaker Stands Sweepstakes, AudioStream.com's Wireworld Starlight Cat8 Ethernet Cable Sweepstakes, The Meze 99 Classics Headphones Sweepstakes, The Aiaiai Studio Modular Headphone Preset Sweepstakes, The Morrow Audio High-end Speaker Cables with SSI Technology Sweepstakes, Audioengine's B2 Bluetooth Speaker Sweepstakes, The Synergistic Research’s Acoustic Enhancement Atmosphere Sweepstakes, The Bower’s and Wilkin’s C5 Series 2 in-ear Headphones Sweepstakes. So post a comment, and good luck! Register to win an AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC (Total value $299.95) we are giving away. Optical bluetooth usb digital-to-analog converter (21 pages) Summary of Contents for AudioQuest DragonFly. I would love to see how they improved on the design. Hi, I have Dragonfly Cobalt and it is my second DAC after my LG V20 built in DAC, so please take my opinion accordingly. ( I could just give the Black one which would be even better politically, if they still offer it ). (An integral charge pump provides the necessary negative voltage.) My results: Dragonfly v1.2 0.49Ω Dragonfly Black (2017) 0.61Ω Dragonfly Red 0.53Ω Dragonfly Cobalt 0.40 Ω Looks great across the … Would be very curious to hear the differences with the cobalt. The AudioQuest site has no details as yet of this dac/headphone amp. The last adapter enables one to connect the DragonFly and another Lightning cable to power the iPhone. costs $299.95 compared with $199.95 for the DragonFly Red and $99.95 for the Black. Grado GT220 True Wireless Earbuds Sweepstakes. Would be nice to plug in my IEMs again. Keep it up, Audioquest! Have needed a worthy DAC to pair with my phone. I only sold it to buy other things for my sterwo set-up but now i'm in need for a new pair pf earbuds and a good dac! Had this on my wishlist for so long but I'm disabled so I'm always fresh out of funds for fun , fixed incomes really suck so a new Dragonfly DAC would seriously hook me up (to hifi). Also the color is very lovely! Have red, is great. If you want both SS and tube flavors, you can check-out iFi Audio Pro iDSD desk-top DAC/headphone amp ($2,499) reviewed by Stereophile :-) ......... Focusrite Scarlette 2i2 and the Steinberg UR22 USB 24192 interfaces. Microphone cable works well for balanced interconnections, but tends to be more flexible, smaller in diameter, yet also more durably rugged in construction. Love to win one to hear the difference from my iphone, I heard it is better than previous versions.I'm interesting in it. I love mine even just for listening to computer audio. Very excited for the next iteration of this. The new model is slightly smaller than the Red but retains its ESS Sabre 9601 headphone output chip – that runs line-level at 2.1 volts – and “64-bit bit-perfect digital volume control” . I just had the thought that it was time for a next version... lo and behold! ps.2) Audioquest probably SHOULD gift every Dragonfly purchaser with a ONE Year Subscription to Stereophile, they'd be doing themselves and everyone else a HUGE favor! De Dragonfly Cobalt gaat toch wel een serieuze stap verder dan de Red die ook niet misselijk is. I have a DragonFly mk1 time to upgrade. Looking forward to upgrading this over my Dragonfly Red! Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA renderer. I have the Dragonfly black and like that. Having a portable dac would amazing to have! AudioQuest has today announced the DragonFly Cobalt (US$299/€299/£269). The Cobalt's output amplifier is the same as that used in the Red, an ESS Sabre9601. 21 product ratings - AudioQuest DRAGONFLYC Dragonfly Cobalt USB Digital-to-analog Converter - Blue. No matter the choice of musical pleasure, DragonFly delivers beautiful sound to earbuds, headphones, desktop speakers, or complete audio systems, unraveling the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable. I wish I can hear it. In 2012, the original AudioQuest DragonFly thoroughly disrupted the DAC market. Can you review that one JA1? I'd really like one of these please. And now comes DragonFly Cobalt—AudioQuest's new flagship DAC. - Este é a solução de DAC externo que lhe vai permitir ouvir a sua música do seu PC, Tablet ou Smartphone com muito melhor qualidade. Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer. Timing is everything: I just ordered a dragonfly Red, now I hear about the Cobalt! ). Then just a few minutes ago, I heard news about the Dragonfly Cobalt. Unlike the world of recorded music, where streaming has decimated sales of physical products, book publishing is seeing the reverse trend: sales of eBooks are declining while those of both hardback and paperback books are recovering. And thank you, for your service, to the audiophile community. Looking forward to using this with my new planar magnetic phones! Great review, JA1! . I'm selling my Chord Mojo atm - it's not for me, I need something for long gaming sessions - battery DAC is good for portable listening, but not for gaming. The work starts with a solo soprano singing a simple phrase over an ostinato jaw harp and descending choral "oohs" and "aahs" while the Cobalt is specified as being able to deliver a maximum output of 2.1V, this is into high impedances. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-m500-dac-and-hp-amp-review.9606/. The Red is awesome - now I need a new word for "awesomer yet". Happy to hear about this. I've also given WristWatches from Long Island Watch. AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt – Luisteren deel 1. Sony SA-Z1 nearfield active speaker system, Gramophone Dreams #46: Decware Zen Triode Amplifier, Wilson Audio Specialties SabrinaX loudspeaker, Pass Laboratories XP-32 line preamplifier, Counterpoint Natural Progression NPS-400 power amplifier, The FTC Proposes Eliminating Its "Amplifier Rule", Acoustic Geometry Room treatments (before & after), My current and likely the last home audio setup, Recording of February 2021: Newvelle Records Season Five, Recommended Components: Fall 2020 Edition. Love to see there's another one coming! Sidebar 3: Measurements I measured the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). 1 … Go to page. It works similarly: With DragonFly Red/Cobalt connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host’s system volume control will, through proxy, control the DragonFly’s onboard volume. New ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound New Microchip PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33% Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise I hope I'll win; I love have music all around me everywhere, everytime. We waren wat sceptisch over de prijs, maar de DragonFly Cobalt laat horen dat hij … This is a DC-coupled, unity-gain device and runs off a single positive voltage rail. It's strange that this isn't even mentioned on AudioQuest's website and the link from you're article leads to a 404 page at AudioQuest. I hope I win! Interested in hearing it with my Android phone. ps. All three DragonFlys feature Gordon Rankin's StreamLength asynchronous USB code, which allows the DAC chip to control the conversion timing of the samples fed via the USB bus, reducing word-clock jitter. The AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt is just the ticket for audiophiles who’ve resisted the Bluetooth trend and still want to enjoy their wired headphones. I can think of no more recommendable product in digital audio.”. De DragonFly Cobalt is een d/a-converter die zich ook thuis voelt in een hifi-keten. When the Cobalt is required to drive lower impedances, the volume control has to be backed off to avoid clipping the DAC's output amplifier. Have owned and enjoyed a dragonfly black for several years. I've been gifting the Dragonflys since their introduction. Summer Vinyl Sweeps which features prizes from VPI/SVS/Nordost and Disney Music Emporium! Thank you. However, with the newest release of the Dragonfly Cobalt, we were curious if it was worth the upgrade from the Red. Listening For my initial listening sessions with the DragonFly Cobalt, I plugged it into one of the USB ports on my Roon Nucleus+ server. I got the Dragonfly when it was first released in 2012 and I am still using and loving it. The people, I gift, are not Audiophiles but won't listen without the Dragonfly plugged in. I've been looking for something like this for a while. Since I have a DragonFly Black it would be nice to get a Cobalt and see how it compares with their cheapest device and conclude if it is a nice upgrade. Vende-se USB-DAC + PreAmp + Headphone Amp Marca: AudioQuest DragonFly Modelo: Cobalt - Dos 3 DACs que a AudioQuest vende (o Preto, o Encarnado e o Azul), este é o de melhor qualidade audiófila, o modelo Cobalt (Azul). Sounds like a great DAC! Before I retired at the end of March 2019, most of my eBook consumption took place on the subway as I commuted to and from Stereophile's Manhattan office. Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family—naturally beautiful, seductive sound—and strips away fuzz and fog that weren't even noticeable until Cobalt removed them. It’s small, pretty, sounds great, is affordable and does full MQA. It's been a while since Stereophile had a contest. It significantly improves Sound Quality and always leads to "better" headphones. If you have a DragonFly Red or Black or the original DragonFly, you will love the improvements, especially if your headphones or system are of decent quality. Sign me up. thanks in advance. I performed a full set of tests with WAV and AIFF test-tone files played with Pure Music 3.0 on my MacBook Pro running on battery power, and on my iPhone 6S using a Lightning to USB adapter. I'd love to have this one and compare it to my Meridian. That said, if it's real I would love to have one and it would mean you have info and pics ahead of the manufacture, either that or AudioQuest is having website issues :). Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family— naturally beautiful, seductive sound —and strips away fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until Cobalt removed them. Other than the color, the only external difference between the Cobalt and the Red is that the contoured enclosure is 10% smaller and doesn't have the earlier DAC's distinctive ridge above and behind the 3.5mm jack. Bietet Ihr Computer keinen USB-A-Anschluss, greifen Sie zum mitgelieferten USB-C-Adapter. audioquest - dragonfly red audioquest dragonfly black hifiman edition x v2 idsd micro Prev. Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family— naturally beautiful, seductive sound —and strips away fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until Cobalt removed them. I'd be SO happy to receive the new Audioquest Cobalt Dragonfly. MQA is lavender, other than that, the dragonfly identifies bit rate rather than file type with 44.1kHz being green, 48kHz blue, 88.2kHz yellow, and 96kHz a lighter blue color. Would love to a and b this against my Red dragonfly. I have the Dragonfly Red from a Mac Mini to Avi DM5 active speakers with a SVS SB-1000 Sub.It would be interesting to hear the Cobalt. i was eyeing the red but hey would be nice, thanks! With the DragonFly Cobalt being a much lower price to the Chord Mojo, and in my opinion besting it on sound quality, notwithstanding slightly different usage between these units, it wins the test on all out sound quality.