AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter

Description

"Another Winner" – Flagship Compact DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
DragonFly Cobalt, AudioQuest's new flagship DAC, takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family: naturally beautiful, seductive sound. But that's just the beginning. Cobalt then strips away the fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until Cobalt removed them.
How is this possible? Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output that will drive almost any headphone. Similarly, it uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer.
"The Track Just Feels More Pure"
"The most noticeable difference was the reduction in noise. In fact, you don’t realize how much mud is in your song until you upgrade to a DAC like this. And in general, the track just feels more pure," reports Gabby Bloch at
majorhifi.com
, July 19, 2019. "In fact, even if the Cobalt did nothing else but improve the signal to noise ratio, it would still be worth buying, as it affects everything from transparency to separation and soundstage."
"I’ve been going back and forth between the RED and Cobalt using the transfer zone function in ROON, and after a lot of listening and switching, I have to say I really do prefer the Cobalt over the RED. In this case for me it’s clear already: the Cobalt really is an improvement of the RED," notes Lieven in a July 9, 2019 review for
headfonia.com
. "It’s safe to say that AudioQuest with the Cobalt has another winner in their hands. One which audiophiles like us will enjoy for years."
Significant Performance Upgrades
Cobalt’s precedent-setting performance is made possible by multiple significant upgrades, starting with a new, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound. It also uses Microchip’s superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor, which draws less current and increases processing speed by a whopping 33 percent.
That's not all that's new. Improved power-supply filtering specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise. And Cobalt comes with a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor for easy hook-up to your desktop computer, laptop, and other compatible devices. All DragonTails use AQ’s Carbon-level USB cable for best performance.
StreamLength® Asynchronous-Transfer USB Code
Of course, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin’s precedent-setting StreamLength asynchronous-transfer USB code. Additionally, in Gordon’s monoClock® technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip runs the ESS chip functions as well as all microcontroller functions. This superior clock enables DragonFly Cobalt to provide greater resolution and clarity than DACs with multiple clocks.
All this goodness is packed into a sleek new case that measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47”, making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and even a bit more pocket-friendly.
Features
Compact DAC, preamp, headphone amp
Seamless compatibility with laptops, desktop computers, Apple and Android devices
Exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer
New, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
Microchip’s superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33%
Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise
StreamLength® Asynchronous-Transfer USB Code
MonoClock® technology – a single ultra-low-jitter clock
Pocket-friendly design – 10% smaller than other DragonFly models
Includes a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor (DragonTails use AQ’s Carbon-level USB cable)
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
"Another Winner" – Flagship Compact DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp
DragonFly Cobalt, AudioQuest's new flagship DAC, takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family: naturally beautiful, seductive sound. But that's just the beginning. Cobalt then strips away the fuzz and fog that weren’t even noticeable until Cobalt removed them.
How is this possible? Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output that will drive almost any headphone. Similarly, it uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer.
"The Track Just Feels More Pure"
"The most noticeable difference was the reduction in noise. In fact, you don’t realize how much mud is in your song until you upgrade to a DAC like this. And in general, the track just feels more pure," reports Gabby Bloch at
majorhifi.com
, July 19, 2019. "In fact, even if the Cobalt did nothing else but improve the signal to noise ratio, it would still be worth buying, as it affects everything from transparency to separation and soundstage."
"I’ve been going back and forth between the RED and Cobalt using the transfer zone function in ROON, and after a lot of listening and switching, I have to say I really do prefer the Cobalt over the RED. In this case for me it’s clear already: the Cobalt really is an improvement of the RED," notes Lieven in a July 9, 2019 review for
headfonia.com
. "It’s safe to say that AudioQuest with the Cobalt has another winner in their hands. One which audiophiles like us will enjoy for years."
Significant Performance Upgrades
Cobalt’s precedent-setting performance is made possible by multiple significant upgrades, starting with a new, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound. It also uses Microchip’s superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor, which draws less current and increases processing speed by a whopping 33 percent.
That's not all that's new. Improved power-supply filtering specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise. And Cobalt comes with a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor for easy hook-up to your desktop computer, laptop, and other compatible devices. All DragonTails use AQ’s Carbon-level USB cable for best performance.
StreamLength® Asynchronous-Transfer USB Code
Of course, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin’s precedent-setting StreamLength asynchronous-transfer USB code. Additionally, in Gordon’s monoClock® technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip runs the ESS chip functions as well as all microcontroller functions. This superior clock enables DragonFly Cobalt to provide greater resolution and clarity than DACs with multiple clocks.
All this goodness is packed into a sleek new case that measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47”, making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and even a bit more pocket-friendly.
Features
Compact DAC, preamp, headphone amp
Seamless compatibility with laptops, desktop computers, Apple and Android devices
Exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer
New, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound
Microchip’s superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33%
Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise
StreamLength® Asynchronous-Transfer USB Code
MonoClock® technology – a single ultra-low-jitter clock
Pocket-friendly design – 10% smaller than other DragonFly models
Includes a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor (DragonTails use AQ’s Carbon-level USB cable)
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
About Us
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
About Us
Founded by Wayne Schuurman in 1981, Audio Advisor is one of the world's largest sellers of top-quality, name brand, high-end audio products in the world. Our volume allows us to provide the best components at the best prices, plus great service after the sale.
Over the past 34 years, Wayne Schuurman and his hard-working staff earned the confidence of more than one million satisfied customers in over 200 countries. Our phone lines are staffed by the most knowledgeable and experienced audio sales representatives in the world. They are happy to answer your questions, and they're experts at recommending low-cost gifts, matching components, or improvements for any hi-fi or home theater system.
Audio Advisor has been a member of the Greater Grand Rapids Better Business Member Since 1981. We have also been members or associated with the following regional and national organizations: Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, PARA (Professional Audio Retailers Association), ACMA (American Catalog Mailers Association), and DMA (Direct Marketing Association).
Audio Advisor has been featured in and recommended by the following periodicals: Stereophile Magazine, The Absolute Sound Magazine, Perfect Vision Magazine, Playboy Magazine, Hi-Fi Magazine, The Robb Report, The New York Times, and Time Magazine. Audio Advisor has been featured on television and cable channels including CNET-TV and CNN. Audio Advisor has been recommended in the following books: The International Catalog of Catalogs, The Ultimate Shopper's Catalog, as well as Bob Harley's books including: The Complete Guide to High-End Audio, Home Theater for Everyone, and Introductory Guide to High-Performance Audio Systems.
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
Award-Winning Sales and Service
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Audio Advisor has won numerous awards for its sales and service of audio and video gear. We have been recognized for outstanding performance by manufacturers as well as the audiophile press.
The awards Audio Advisor has won include:
"Peak Performance" Dealer of the Year - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 -- AudioQuest
Dealer of the Year 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011-- Cambridge Audio
Dealer of the Year 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 -- Audio Products International
Outstanding Achievement - SoundDynamics
Outstanding Support - Sennheiser
Outstanding Sales Achievement - Athena Technologies
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
Returns & Refunds
About Us
Award-Winning Sales and Service
Returns & Refunds
Returns & Refunds
All returns require a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number in order for our receiving department to accept them.
Process to return a product(s):
You may only return products that have been purchased within the last 30 days.
The product must be in like-new condition and packaged correctly with the original box, packaging, accessories and manuals. We cannot accept returns that are not in the original factory cartons. Incomplete or improperly packaged products may be subject to a restocking fee.
Contact Audio Advisor, to request an RMA number. All returns require an RMA number.
Please print the RMA Number on the return shipping label affixed to the outside of the package(s). (See number 8, below.) Please do not write or mark on the factory cartons.
Include a brief note inside the box explaining why the product is being returned, along with the billing name and address.
For your protection, we strongly recommend shipping the package(s) via insured FedEx or UPS.
Ship the package(s) to:
Audio Advisor Returns
5500 Executive Parkway SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(PRINT YOUR RMA NUMBER HERE)
Audio Advisor will process the return within 10 business days of receipt.
Damaged & Defective Products
If you believe that you have received a defective or damaged product, please contact customer service. If a product arrives defective or damaged, and cannot be fixed with replacement parts, Audio Advisor will contact the carrier and arrange for pickup of the item. Please have the product repackaged with all the accessories.
We will not send out a replacement product until the original product has been received and verified defective or damaged. Please allow up to 10 business days from receipt at Audio Advisor's warehouse for processing.
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