AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt 2.1v USB Digital-Audio Converter

AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt 2.1v USB Digital-Audio Converter - DRAGONFLYCOBALT

DragonFly Cobalt, our 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.

Features

• Enclosure And Accessories:
• Cobalt blue automotive finish with silver lettering
• Protective endcap
• Contoured enclosure
• Leatherette travel pouch
• DragonTail USB-C adaptor
• Native Resolution: Up to 24-bit / 96kHz
• Output: 2.1 volts
• Direct-coupled, high output: Enough power to easily drive the widest range of headphones. When used as a line-level device (volume set to 100%), DF Cobalt’s 2.1 volts provide enough power to drive all preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.
• Headphone Amp: ESS Sabre 9601
• Microcontroller: Microchip PIC32MX274
• Same features as Red and Black, but reduces current draw and increases processing speed by 33%.
• DAC Chip: ESS ES9038Q2M
• with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound.
• Volume Control: 64-Bit Bit-Perfect Digital Volume Control
• Desktop/PC Compatibility: Yes
• Apple OS 10.6.8 and later
• Microsoft Windows 7 and later
• Linux (no technical support provided)
• Mobile Compatibility: Yes
• Apple iOS 5 and later (requires Apple Camera Adapter; Lightning to USB 3 recommended)
• Android 5.0 and later (requires micro-USB DragonTail, USB-C DragonTail, or other USB adaptor for Android devices)
• MQA Rendering: Yes
• Upgradable Firmware: Yes
• Monoclock Technology: Yes
• In Gordon Rankin’s monoClock® technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS DAC chip runs the headphone amplifier, as well as all microcontroller functionalities, enabling DragonFly to produce greater resolution and clarity than DACs that employ multiple clocks.

Specifications

Capabilities

• Plays all music files: MP3 to MQA and High-Res
• 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)
• MQA Rendering
• Drives headphones directly
• Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver
• Asynchronous transfer ensures digital timing integrity

Specifications

• Sample rates supported (LED indicator color code): 44.1kHz (Green), 48kHz (Blue), 88.2kHz (Amber), 96kHz (Magenta), 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)

Approximate Dimensions

• Height: 0.47"
• Width: 0.74"
• Length: 2.24"

Approximate Weight

• Shipping: 1 lb

Warranty Information

• Manufacturer Warranty (authorized online retailer): One Year Parts and Labor

-S