Home Theater Systems Buying Guide
Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt Overview
The DragonFly Cobalt is the all-new member of the AudioQuest family of portable USB DAC/headphone amps (after it's award-winning predecessors: the Red and the Black). Representing a total redesign and update, Cobalt brings better performance than ever before in one of the smallest form factors of any DAC on the market. The Cobalt combats the noise associated with digital files to preserve musical details, particularly when it comes to high-res audio.
Product Information
Highlights
- Dramatically improves sound from MP3s, YouTube, etc.
- Delivers high-end performance from high-res and MQA & Masters files
- Bit-perfect variable output drives powered headphones, powered speakers or power amp
- Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver
- Flagship ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
- Microchip PIC32MX274 microcontroller draws less current and increases processing speed by 33% over previous DragonFlys
- Improved power-supply filtering specifically designed to reduce WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise
- Includes new DragonTail USB-C to USB-A adaptor
Specifications
Specifications
Features & Specs
- Flagship ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
- Microchip PIC32MX274 microcontroller draws less current and increases processing speed by 33% over previous DragonFlys
- Improved power-supply filtering specifically designed to reduce WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise
- Includes new DragonTail USB-C to USB-A adaptor
What It Does
- Dramatically improves sound from MP3s, YouTube, etc.
- Delivers high-end performance from high-res and MQA & Masters files
- Bit-perfect variable output drives powered headphones, powered speakers or power amp
- Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver
Compatibility
- Windows 7-10
- Apple macOS 10.6.8 and later
- iOS 5 and later (requires Apple USB adaptor)
- Android 4.1 and later (requires micro-USB DragonTail, USB-C DragonTail, or other Android USB adaptor)
- Linux (no technical support provided)
Sample Rates (indicated by LED color)
- 1kHz (Green)
- 48kHz (Blue)
- 2kHz (Amber)
- 96kHz (Magenta)
- MQA (Purple)
What's in the Box
What's in the Box
- DragonFly Cobalt
- DragonTail USB-A to USB-C
- DragonFly Pouch
- Registration Card
- User’s Manual
Reviews
Customer Reviews for AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
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As I type this I am listening to a MQA playlist on Tidal on my Sennheiser HD 58x headphones and am totally blown away. Music is clearer and instruments more well defined. Soundstage is wider. Read the comparison reviews online.
So if you are trying to decide between the Red and Cobalt, go for the Cobalt. You do get a DragonTail USB C adapter and this has improved power filter and does not need the JitterBug so the price difference really is not that great. If you already have the Red and have the disposable income considering upgrading. It is worth it. At least it was worth $400 to me.
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I ended up playing the same 70 seconds 3 times with the Red, then repeated 3 with the Cobalt followed by 3 with the Red. I've always thought of the Red as a very smooth reproducer, particularly compared to the DragonFly Black. But this time the Cobalt edged (no pun intended) out the Red with a smoother yet detailed sound. Some users might not hear the differences, but if they are practiced at evaluating DACs, they should pick up on these differences pretty quickly.
When I heard about the DragonFly Cobalt, I thought the $100 USD jump from the Red was a bit much, but the factors of sound quality and the inclusion of the DragonTail USB-C adapter did seal the Cobalt deal for me.
I will try to incorporate listening with the AudioQuest JitterBug in the full review, but in the meantime I'd recommend the Cobalt here and now for certain users:
1) Perfectionists. 2) Those with good enough hearing and experience to appreciate the differences. 3) Those who won't hear the differences immediately, but who trust AudioQuest to put into the DAC what they say they put in. Don't put any special trust in my review, since the music you play and many other factors could net out the differences. Do read as many reviews as possible, focusing on the best-respected reviewers of portable audio gear, especially DACs and amps.
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