AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC
Specifications
| DragonFly Black and Red - Sample rates supported (LED indicator color code) | 44.1kHz (Green), 48kHz (Blue), 88.2kHz (Amber), 96kHz (Magenta), MQA (Purple) |
| DragonFly Cobalt - Sample rates supported (LED indicator color code) | Standard (Red), 44.1kHz (Green), 48kHz (Blue), 88.2kHz (Yellow), 96kHz (Light Blue), MQA (Purple) |
| Volume Control | Analog Volume Control (Black); 64-position, 64-bit, bit-perfect (Red, Cobalt) |
| Output voltage | 1.2 (Black); 2.1 (Red, Cobalt) |
| Headphone Amp | Texas Instruments TPA6130 (Black); ESS Sabre 9601 (Red, Cobalt) |
| DAC Chip | 32-bit ESS 9010 with minimum-phase fast roll-off filter (Black); 32-bit ESS 9016 with minimum-phase fast roll-off filter (Red); ESS ES9038Q2M with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound (Cobalt) |
| Microcontroller | Microchip PIC32MX (Black, Red); Microchip PIC32MX274 reduces current draw and increases processing speed by 33% over DragonFlys Black and Red (Cobalt) |
| Dimensions | 12mm H x 19mm W x 62mm L (Black, Red); 12mm H x 19mm W by 57mm L (Cobalt) |
Warranty
Shipping & Returns
We offer free shipping on any product over $99. For full details please see our Shipping Policy.
Our returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we may not be able to offer you a refund or exchange. For full details please see our Refund Policy.
Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt
LENC's Cobalt Review:
"The Most Beautiful-Sounding DragonFly Yet" This is the leading introduction from Audioquest and they are not wrong... Don't be fooled by its size this is a true bit of HiFi componentry and will make your phone/tablet/pc sound infinitely better once its in place.
Check out our video breakdown of the full AudioQuest Dragonfly Range
Manufacturers Details:
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—and strips away 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 to drive almost any headphone, 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.
COBALT'S PRECEDENT-SETTING PERFORMANCE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES:
- 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.
- Includes a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor.
All DragonTails use AQ's Carbon-level USB cable.
AUDIOQUEST, GORDON RANKIN: A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP
Like all previous DragonFly models, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin's precedent-setting StreamLength® asynchronous-transfer USB code. Further, 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.
WHY THE "SLOW ROLL...?"
Cobalt employs ESS's new flagship ES9038Q2M DAC chip. While the chips used in DragonFlys Black and Red are unbeatable for the price, the minimum-phase slow roll-off filter in the 9038 results in a naturally expressive sound that is always emotionally engaging and never fatiguing—a beautiful combination of warmth and detail that we find equally exciting and soothing.
KILLING THE NOISE
In Cobalt, we've taken what we've learned from our recent research and development in noise dissipation to employ power-supply filtering specifically designed to dramatically reduce the increasingly prevalent noise from WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular signals. Successfully combating this noise is absolutely crucial to the preservation of the lowest-level musical details, particularly when it comes to high-res audio—and especially when applied to a portable-audio device such as DragonFly.
BIT-PERFECT VOLUME CONTROL AND 2.1-VOLT OUTPUT
Cobalt features the same ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp and bit-perfect volume control that give DragonFly Red its unique combination of power and grip over the music. This solution ensures maximum fidelity, thrilling dynamic contrast, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The 2.1-volt output makes Cobalt and Red compatible with a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models.
FIRMWARE UPGRADEABLE
Dragonfly Black, Red, and Cobalt are firmware upgradeable via our free Desktop Device Manager. In today's fast-paced digital world, longevity in a hi-fi component is increasingly rare—at any price. AudioQuest believes that today's digital devices should evolve as technology itself evolves, thereby delivering musical pleasure for many years to come. Our Desktop Device Manager will also allow you to identify your DragonFly's serial number and software version to ensure that the device is up to date. Click here to download the latest Device Manager available for your operating system.
BEAUTIFUL SOUND IN A SMALLER PACKAGE...
AND NOW WITH A TAIL
All this goodness is packed into a sleek new case that measures just (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and even a bit more pocket-friendly.
Finally, to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports, DragonFly Cobalt comes with AudioQuest's USB-A to USB-C adaptor.
Who's This DAC For?:
The Cobalt is a DAC, Preamplifier, and Headphone Amplifier as such it lends itself perfectly for portable use alongside your smartphone or PC and favorite set of headphones. Not to limit its functionality, it could be used as a DAC from your PC or phone running into an integrated amplifier or power amplifier.
This product is rated 5.0 of 5.0 stars.
It has received 1 review.
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We are here to help
Check out some of our most commonly asked questions.
How long will it take for my item to be delivered?
It depends on where you are in Australia. Typically orders will take 1-2 business day to dispatch & 2-5 business days to arrive if you are on the east coast.
It's more likely to take 5-10 business days for our friends in the far-north, the west & regional areas.
Tracking & delivery details will be provided via email once the item has shipped.
Do you offer express shipping?
Typically we cannot offer express shipping. However, in some cases, we can arrange for an expedited courier service (1-3 days) at a $30 surcharge.
Get in touch here if you require this service.
What is your return policy?
Our policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we may not be able to offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unopened, unused and in the same condition that you received it. if applicable it must also be returned in the same outer packaging it was shipped in.
For more details visit our Refund Policy page.
Do you offer consultations?
Yes, we would love the opportunity to chat with you.
We can do that in person, via a phone call or video chat. Click here to get in touch.
