Here’s my overdue AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt review. This awesome DAC is worth the money and my new recommended portable DAC.
Let me first say that my AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt review comes to you with no sponsorship or compensation from AudioQuest or anyone else for that matter. In the interest of full disclosure, if you click a link on my blog and purchase an item on Amazon, I may receive a small commission. If you do, thank you 🙂
If you’re considering the AudioQuest Dragonfly Red read my previous review here.
The difference between the Dragonfly Red and the Cobalt is substantial. The Cobalt is what I would consider a true audiophile quality DAC that comes in a compact and portable package. The upgrade from the Dragonfly Black to the Red was impressive and surprising to me but the jump from red to cobalt is ridiculous!
How Does The AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt Sound?
I’m going to stick with my Top 10 Audiophile Recordings for consistency and use both the Phillips Fidelio X2HR’s and the Monolith M565C headphones for this review. If you’re a beginner audiophile, I recommend getting familiar with this playlist. It’s a great place to start your beginner audiophile journey. I’m not going to describe each track and why the Colbalt is so good, I’m just going to hit my favorite highlights along the way.
First up, Stevie Ray Vaughan – Tin Pan Alley. I thought the Dragonfly Red did a great job of resolving the timbre in Stevie’s Stratocaster but the Cobalt brings it to a whole new level. I went back and forth between the Red and the Cobalt on this track. The Cobalt brings more dimension to the stage and adds to the realism. I still felt like I was in a smoky blues club with a cigar and a glass of bourbon but I got lost in the moment with the Cobalt. The Dragonly Cobalt sounds more natural.
My favorite setup for this track – iPad streaming Tidal, AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt and my Phillips Fidelio X2HR headphones.
The Eagles – Hotel California from their appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1994 “Master File.” This recording is masterful in it’s mix and engineering. I gushed about the Dragonfly Red on this track and wasn’t sure how much more I could say about the Cobalt. Once again I A/B tested the Red vs. the Cobalt and it all became very clear. The Cobalt is better in every way. There’s not one area that the Red shines over the Cobalt. The AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt is just that good.
Setup for this track: iPad streaming Title, Audioquest Dragonfly cobalt and the mighty Monolith M565c headphones.
Read my M565C review here
Microprocessor/Microcontroller
Dragonfly Red: PIX32MX270
Dragonfly Cobalt: PIC32MX274 (33% faster processing speed)
Why does the AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt sound so much better than the Red?
The increased speed of the PIC32MX274 definately helps but the most noticeable difference comes from the DAC chips. The DAC chip in the Cobalt is the Sabre ESS ES9038W2M minimum phase slow roll-off filter, while the Dragonfly Red uses the Sabre ESS ES9016 minimum phase fast roll-off filter. The slow roll-off filter in the Cobalt allows for a more natural and balanced sound. Greater separation and a wider soundstage result from the upgraded DAC chip in the Cobalt. The bongos in Hotel California sound more natural and you can discern the difference in each strike.
Is the Cobalt worth the extra money?
If you’re reading this review you’re probably the type of person who would appreciate the differences between the Red and the Cobalt. Is it worth another $100? Yes! Check out our Audioish Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts or check out episode 1 below.
Purchase the AudioQuest Cobalt DAC on Amazon (this link my pay me a commission 🙂
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