AudioQuestDragonFly CobaltDAC

AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt - Premium USB DAC, PreAmp & Headphone Amp (What HiFi? Awards 2024)

The AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt is a compact, award-winning USB DAC and headphone amplifier delivering high-resolution, natural sound from MP3 to MQA files. Perfect for audiophiles seeking exceptional clarity, power, and broad device compatibility on the go.

Key Features

• Advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for natural, expressive sound
• 2.1-volt output drives a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry models
• Bit-perfect 64-position digital volume control ensures outstanding signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic contrast
• Microchip PIC32MX274 microprocessor reduces power consumption and increases processing speed by 33%
• Improved power-supply filtering reduces noise from WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular signals
• Compatible with Apple, Windows PCs, iOS (with Apple Camera Adapter), and Android devices (with DragonTail or USB adaptor)
• MQA rendering supports high-resolution streaming
• Firmware upgradeable via free Desktop Device Manager for longevity and updates
• Includes USB-A to USB-C DragonTail adaptor for modern device compatibility
• Compact design: 57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm (10% smaller than previous models)

Performance and Technology

The DragonFly Cobalt enhances the acclaimed DragonFly legacy by eliminating subtle distortion and noise for a clearer, more engaging listening experience. Gordon Rankin’s StreamLength® asynchronous USB transfer and monoClock® ultra-low-jitter clock technology improve digital timing integrity, delivering superior resolution and clarity.

Its ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amplifier and bit-perfect volume control provide power and precision, ensuring maximum fidelity and dynamic range. Advanced power-supply filtering combats interference from wireless signals, preserving delicate musical details, especially in high-resolution audio.

Specifications

• Status/Sample Rates Supported (LED Indicator Colours): Standby (Red), 44.1kHz (Green), 48kHz (Blue), 88.2kHz (Yellow), 96kHz (Light Blue), MQA (Purple)
• Volume Control: 64-position, 64-bit, bit-perfect digital (Red, Cobalt)
• Output Voltage: 2.1 volts (Red, Cobalt)
• Headphone Amp: ESS Sabre 9601 (Red, Cobalt)
• DAC Chip: ESS ES9038Q2M with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter (Cobalt)
• Microcontroller: Microchip PIC32MX274 (Cobalt) – reduces current draw and increases processing speed by 33%
• Dimensions: 12mm H x 19mm W x 57mm L (Cobalt)

Compatibility

• 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)

What's in the Box

• AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC/Headphone Amp
• DragonTail USB-A to USB-C adaptor