manbat Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Price at the time of writing approx $500 AUD USB DAC Tec specs: https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-cobalt Initial impressions. There are many positive reviews of this third and top of the line incarnation of the DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC. I used the DAC with all apple products including MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone, listening to standard red book, and hi-res FLAC files. Headphones PSB over ear M4Us (which also get great reviews - and I can attest to their sound quality). In short, I wasn’t expecting to hear a night and day difference when using the DAC, however I was expecting a change, subtle or otherwise. I tested and listed for a number of hours over a two-day period and have to report no discernible difference listening to tracks with/without the DragonFly in place. A change in logo lights indicated the unit was working and recognising file variations. Testing was completed at the same volume levels, which is important as some DACs including the Cobalt lift the noise level. This is sometimes confused with a DAC creating an improved sound experience. In fact, when using the DAC and watching Netflix it sounded worse. I contacted Audioquest - They said that the unit was working correctly, and listening was a very subjective experience. I’ve had familiarity with quite a number of DACs and have always noticed variations, sometimes subtle, sometimes quite significant (Chord products). I would strongly recommend that you try before you buy with this product, using your own equipment when testing. This may avoid disappointment given the high accolades its received and associated cost. On the other hand, perhaps could be more suitable to your kit? If not, save the money and spend it on a better pair of headphones or if it’s a desk top solution, a better DAC. Cheers Edited June 6, 2020 by manbat spelling error Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prada Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 Is it for sale soon? Or did you just try to demo and audition it to make this review? I want to buy one dirt cheap. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinylear Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Is there something in the Mac sound settings you have missed. I have no experience with Apple products. I recently upgraded to Windows 10 and my Dragonfly Red sounds a lot better than with Windows 7 but I had to get into sound settings and make a change as per the instructions. Can't remember offhand what that was. I use the USB 3 port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavtron Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Hi, I have had the black / red and cobalt dragonfly's - for me the cobalt was a nice step up over the red, the red a nice step up from the black. I bought it to my parents a few weeks ago and my dad tried it with his HD600's on his new dell laptop - he was amazed at the difference it made compared to the sound from the internal hp output in the dell (admitedly not ideal for HD600's!) It spun me out a little as I wasn't sure what he would notice much change at all. I also bought a pair of Focal Elear headphones for him to try, which personally I think are a nice step up from the HD600, but he didn't seem to think so So I guess everyone hears stuff differently. Cheers, gav. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwstereo Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 16 hours ago, Vinylear said: I recently upgraded to Windows 10 and my Dragonfly Red sounds a lot better than with Windows 7 but I had to get into sound settings and make a change as per the instructions. Can't remember offhand what that was. I use the USB 3 port. That's not relevant to Mac apparently, it's a driver installation that's required under the Windows OS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 @manbat if you wish to sell it let me know. I demo'ed 1 at the SNA show last year and would have bought on the spot if they had some available for purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manbat Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 Sorry - I returned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manbat Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 I will definitely have to try one again with a different set-up. Mine went back to the shop. Still not sure whether the unit was faulty or there was any issue at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craka Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 I would think that using apple products, anythings possible when it it comes to connecting non apple . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjsprice Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 Yeah I bought a black, then a red, then a Chord Mojo. Each one was a subtle but definite step up. But moving from a standard DAC to a nice one is a pretty big change, I suspect driver problem somewhere. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudio IL Benna Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 I have been using dragonfly black with my macbook air for about 12-18 months and I love it. Now, I am interested in upgrading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POV Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 I agree with others, must be something wrong with set-up or the unit. The difference with an iphone 8 as example using even moderate quality headphones is significant. I use the Dragonfly mainly for desktop audio out of my HP laptop into KEF LSX and sounds excellent to my ears. Far, far superior to the standard DAC in the HP laptop, and that includes streaming services Netflix etc a vast improvement in sound quality... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVa Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 On the bench for a Dragonfly Red ......but still contemplating it's worth given I connect my headphones mostly via Bluetooth AptxHD. How much more am I gaining with a wired DAC vs Bluetooth which mind you still sounds great. Mostly listen to Tidal or YT Music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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