AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp

Best DAC of 2021 Award – What Hi-Fi? Magazine

"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.

In a February 2021 online article, "Best DACs of 2021," What Hi-Fi? magazine terms the DragonFly Cobalt "another brilliant portable DAC from AudioQuest with a clever design." According to What Hi-Fi?, "The new model boasts a more advanced DAC chip, and a new microprocessor draws less current and bumps up the DAC's processing speed. Yes it costs around a little more, but it does take performance to another level. We'd willingly pay the extra."

"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.

• 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)

• Dimensions: 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47”

Best DAC of 2021 Award – What Hi-Fi? Magazine

"Another brilliant portable DAC from AudioQuest with a clever design."

"The new model boasts a more advanced DAC chip, and a new microprocessor draws less current and bumps up the DAC's processing speed. Yes it costs around a little more, but it does take performance to another level. We'd willingly pay the extra."

- What Hi-Fi?, February 2021

"The Cobalt comes with an improved power-supply filtering, specially designed to reduce WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise. Of course you can still use the Cobalt with your desktop pc, portable PC and your mobile and it still offers MQA rendering!"

- Lieven, Headfonia, October 15, 2019

The Absolute Sound High-End Audio Buyer's Guide 2020

"What differentiates Cobalt from the previous Red flagship are upgraded DAC and processor chips. The Cobalt delivers greater smoothness and resolution compared to the DragonFly Red, with a more refined character. Dynamics are also improved, along with a more robust bottom end."

- The Absolute Sound High-End Audio Buyer's Guide 2020

"If you loved the DragonFly Red as much as we did here at What Hi-Fi?, and you’re looking to make the next step up without compromising on size or form, the Cobalt represents something of a no-brainer."

- What Hi-Fi?, September 10, 2019

"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."

"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."

- Lieven, headfonia.com, July 9, 2019

"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. The result is a cleaner, more crystallized sound. And in general, the track just feels more pure. 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. More about this below."

"Not a yuge difference in soundstage, but you will feel an added sense of spaciousness, perhaps due to the superior separation. Combine this factor with improved transparency, and you have a more colorful representation of the music overall. Furthermore, because of the great separation and clarity, the Cobalt also gives the impression that the imaging is more precise. And distant instruments feel richer in quality."

"If you’re a first time Dragonfly buyer, I would recommend investing in the Cobalt over the Red. And if you already own the Dragonfly Red or Black, the Cobalt may be worth the upgrade."

- Gabby Bloch, majorhifi.com, July 19, 2019