If you’re looking to make the next step up in desktop, or even mobile, sound and the asking price is within reach, the Cobalt represents something of a no-brainer. However, the sonic return is such that those wishing to use the Cobalt with their USB-C smartphone should still get one and fork out for a new adaptor instead. Our only real complaint is nothing to do with the sound, only the quality of the DragonTail adaptor. That doesn’t counteract any of the sonic improvements you’re getting for your premium outlay, but some may favour the Red’s more relaxed temperament. It improves on almost every aspect of its older sibling’s five-star presentation, but with that added insight and maturity comes a slight loss of the fluidity that made the Red sound so human. The only reason some people might be put off is that the DragonFly Cobalt is a serious performer. The Cobalt’s hard work is also heard as it belts out grand dynamic shifts before donning its reading glasses to contour those more diminutive quivers. Timing is greatly improved, with beats locking in like puzzle pieces, so much so that it can sometimes leave the DragonFly Red feeling a tad lazy. In both senses, there is measurable progress. You could spend your time analysing the music if you like, the Cobalt makes that easy with its wide-open soundstage and impressive clarity, but AudioQuest has not lost itself entirely in the detail, offering still a keen sense of rhythm and expressive dynamic range. DragonFly Cobalt, Audioquests new flagship DAC, takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly. Best high-end DAC How to choose How we test Best DACs: Quick menu (Image credit: iFi) 1. The Cobalt isn’t necessarily concerned with polishing your music, only the lens through which it can be seen: bedroom recordings can still sound intimately lo-fi, purposefully screeching treble remains uncensored and grisly riffs still drag their knuckles along the floor. 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. Reviews AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC review: Top-notch audio quality in a tiny package This diminutive device will help music played from your devices sound better, and it makes hi-res. When the electronics world fully embraces USB-C, DragonFly will be poised to take full advantage.Lines are indelibly drawn round the edges of each instrument, with granular detail on offer to complement the cleanliness and military precision. To easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports, DragonFly Cobalt comes with AudioQuest’s new DragonTail USB-C to USB-A adaptor. Now, more than ever before, naturally beautiful sound is right at your fingertips-however you want it, whenever you want it.Ĭompared to previous models, DragonFly Cobalt incorporates some important new features, including a new, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound a more sophisticated Microchip PIC32MX274 microprocessor that reduces current draw and increases processing speed by 33% over DragonFlys Black and Red and improved power-supply filtering specifically designed to reduce the WiFi and cellular noise that plague mobile devices.Īll of this is packed into a sleek, attractive enclosure that measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47” (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and that much more portable than its predecessors. No matter the choice of sonic pleasure, DragonFly unravels the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable. Stream high-res audio from Tidal or Qobuz. Explore playlists and podcasts on Spotify, Pandora, or Deezer. Cons No balanced circuit limited Hi Res decoding pricey. The care they put into the booklet + add-ins are nice surprises. With AudioQuest’s DragonFly USB DAC, music appreciation and exploration are limitless: Plug into an Apple or Windows® computer or connect to an iOS® or Android mobile device. Pros Natural, smooth sound through excellent dac implementation and filtering powerful amplification reasonable power management driverless technology compact and optically/haptically appealing design.
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