AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
DragonFly Cobalt - USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
USB Stick-Sized Digital-to-Analog Converter
Plays all music files: MP3 to High-Res and MQA
Compatible with Apple and Windows PCs
Compatible with iOS devices (requires Apple Camera Adapter/Connection Kit)
Compatible with Android devices (requires DragonTail or other USB Adaptor for Android Devices)
Drives a wide range of low- to high-efficiency headphones
Volume control for powered speakers or power amp
Set volume to match other preamp or AV receiver sources
DragonFly Cobalt is a portable, plug-and-play USB DAC (digital-to-analog converter), preamp, and headphone amp that delivers far cleaner, clearer, more naturally beautiful sound to headphones, powered speakers, or complete audio systems.
Being able to enjoy music and videos on smartphones, tablets, and computers is now delightfully universal. Unfortunately, the Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) inside these devices offer minimal performance, even when the sample-rate numbers (24/192, etc.) look impressive. Built-in DACs do the job, but don’t give you nearly the clarity, dynamics, and sensuality that’s hiding in the digital file.
Whether using a free streaming service, premium High-Resolution or MQA-encoded streaming (such as Tidal Masters), or playing your own MP3 files or videos - whatever you listen to or watch - all DragonFlys make the experience much more compelling and immersive.
With an attractive enclosure whose overall size (2.26" x 0.73" x 0.47") and shape match that of a USB thumb drive, DragonFly easily connects to laptops, tablets, and smartphones, either directly or with an appropriate USB cable, such as AudioQuest’s high-performance USB-C DragonTail (included). Plays all file formats/soundtracks: MP3, MQA, high-res, etc. 2.1-volt output easily drives most headphones. Compatible with Mac and Window computers, Android and iOS devices.
Features & Specs
DAC Chip
DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
Native Resolution
Native Resolution up to 24-bit / 96kHz
MQA
Plays All Music Files: MP3 to MQA and Hi-Res
Compatibility
Compatible with iOS Mobile Devices (requires Apple Lightning-to-USB adaptor) and Android Mobile Devices (requires USB adaptor)
DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
Native Resolution
Native Resolution up to 24-bit / 96kHz
MQA
Plays All Music Files: MP3 to MQA and Hi-Res
Compatibility
Compatible with iOS Mobile Devices (requires Apple Lightning-to-USB adaptor) and Android Mobile Devices (requires USB adaptor)
Expert Insight
Price has always been an attractive feature of AudioQuest’s DragonFly DACs, but the Cobalt justifies its heftier tag
What Hi-Fi
Review
Reviews
Product Description
Product Description
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
DragonFly Cobalt - USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
USB Stick-Sized Digital-to-Analog Converter
Plays all music files: MP3 to High-Res and MQA
Compatible with Apple and Windows PCs
Compatible with iOS devices (requires Apple Camera Adapter/Connection Kit)
Compatible with Android devices (requires DragonTail or other USB Adaptor for Android Devices)
Drives a wide range of low- to high-efficiency headphones
Volume control for powered speakers or power amp
Set volume to match other preamp or AV receiver sources
DragonFly Cobalt is a portable, plug-and-play USB DAC (digital-to-analog converter), preamp, and headphone amp that delivers far cleaner, clearer, more naturally beautiful sound to headphones, powered speakers, or complete audio systems.
Being able to enjoy music and videos on smartphones, tablets, and computers is now delightfully universal. Unfortunately, the Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) inside these devices offer minimal performance, even when the sample-rate numbers (24/192, etc.) look impressive. Built-in DACs do the job, but don’t give you nearly the clarity, dynamics, and sensuality that’s hiding in the digital file.
Whether using a free streaming service, premium High-Resolution or MQA-encoded streaming (such as Tidal Masters), or playing your own MP3 files or videos - whatever you listen to or watch - all DragonFlys make the experience much more compelling and immersive.
With an attractive enclosure whose overall size (2.26" x 0.73" x 0.47") and shape match that of a USB thumb drive, DragonFly easily connects to laptops, tablets, and smartphones, either directly or with an appropriate USB cable, such as AudioQuest’s high-performance USB-C DragonTail (included). Plays all file formats/soundtracks: MP3, MQA, high-res, etc. 2.1-volt output easily drives most headphones. Compatible with Mac and Window computers, Android and iOS devices.
Features & Specs
Features & Specs
DAC Chip
DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
Native Resolution
Native Resolution up to 24-bit / 96kHz
MQA
Plays All Music Files: MP3 to MQA and Hi-Res
Compatibility
Compatible with iOS Mobile Devices (requires Apple Lightning-to-USB adaptor) and Android Mobile Devices (requires USB adaptor)
