Home Theater Systems Buying Guide
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
Model: DRAGONFLYCOB UPC: 092592098398 Item: 173297
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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
5.0 / 5.0
6 Reviews
Must have for any mobile audiophile.
Excellent sound quality and compatibility with my phone and tablet. Works flawlessly with TIDAL\Roon and MQA.
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Game Changer!!
After thorough research into entering the world of High Resolution/Definition audio, I opted for the DragonFly Cobalt DAC. Wow! The sound quality, wide range of applications, compact footprint and price point are quite simply unbeatable! Highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an extremely high quality, thoughtfully engineered DAC for under $300.00! It’s as though i’m hearing my favorite music for the very first time!
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Excellent upgrade to the previous model
I conducted a review of this on my YouTube channel, No Theme Reviews. The Cobalt has significantly better amplification. The sound signature isn't noticeably better than the Red, but the sound stage is wider.
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Cobalt worth the upgrade from Red
Finally decided to upgrade my several year old Dragonfly V1.2 to the Red on June 27th. Of course, AudioQuest announced the Cobalt on July 8th. Suffering from a case of upgraditis I had to check out reviews of the Cobalt. After reading a couple of comparison reviews I just had to have the Cobalt. Sold my Red to a friend for $100, so essentially the Cobalt cost me $400. And I could not be happier.
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.
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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August 10, 2019
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Definitely a great upgrade from the Red. Recommended.
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AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC/Amp is the best!!
Comparing the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt to the DragonFly Red, and feeding 44 khz WAV tracks from my iPad Pro 11-inch to the DragonFlys, I played the first 70 seconds of Steven Wilson's Luminol (at the 44/24 data rate) playing the Cobalt first (3 times), then the Red second. Almost immediately my impression of the stereo image was that it's less open and full with the Red. That alone didn't seal the Cobalt deal though.
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.
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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July 16, 2019
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Q&A
Customer Q & A
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Why did you choose this?
World Wide Stereo Store
Good review and buyer feedback.
DAVID R
on Jan 22, 2021
Extremely good portable USB port powered DAC.
Chris C
on Oct 8, 2020
Good review and buyer feedback.
DAVID R
on Jan 22, 2021
I have the original Dragonfly which is fantastic and wanted to upgrade to something that decodes MQA files.
Rocco G
on Nov 18, 2020
Will the volume increase? My car stereo is capable of much more than the Note 9 can dish out natively. Previously, I had v4a on a Note 5 but the Note 9 can't be rooted so I am seeking out possible quality and volume/signal/output options.
