Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt Plug-in USB DAC, Preamp, and Headphone Amplifier

Brand: Audioquest | SKU: DRAGONFLYCOB | UPC: 092592098398

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$249
Regular price
$349.95
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Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt Plug-in USB DAC, Preamp, and Headphone Amplifier - Safe and Sound HQ

Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt Plug-in USB DAC, Preamp, and Headphone Amplifier

Sale price
$249
Regular price
$349.95

Meet Cobalt: The Most Beautiful-Sounding DragonFly Yet!

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.

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.

Streamlength and monoClock are registered trademarks of Wavelength Audio, ltd.

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 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
DragonFlys 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 2.26" x 0.73" x 0.47" (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.

Brand Audioquest
Model Dragonfly Cobalt
DAC Chip ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M
Coaxial/Optial Digital Inputs 0 / 0
RCA/XLR Outputs 0
Subwoofer Output 0
Headphone Amplifier Yes
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi No
Bit Depth -USB (dB) 24
Mas Sampling Rate (USB) 96 kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D) 0.5" x 0.75" x 2.25"
Weight (lbs) 0.4375
Warranty 1 Year

FAQ

What is your return policy?

Returns are accepted for products purchased within the last 30 days. You must call us to initiate a Return Authorization 800-820-6460.

You are responsible for return shipping costs.

Products MUST be in LIKE NEW Resalable condition.

You MUST have the ORIGINAL BOX and PACKAGING MATERIALS.

You MUST have all of the original accessories, manuals etc.

Your package should be INSURED for the FULL VALUE for your protection during return shipping.

Products that arrive not in original packaging, missing accessories, without a Return Authorization or damaged will be refused. Refunds are credited using the original payment method and they are usually credited within 10-15 business days upon receipt of your return.

Return & Exchange Limits
While we completely understand some products just don't fit the build or hit the mark we have a limit of 2 returns or exchanges per household in a 12 month period.

Order Cancellations
If your order has shipped, it cannot be cancelled. Once your order has left our warehouse it cannot be cancelled. If you would like to setup a return on this item please call us at 800-820-6460 and request a Return Authorization. Do not refuse your order as you will then be subject to shipping cost both ways.

If you wish to cancel an order placed during business hours, please contact us by phone by 3PM EDT on the same business day your order was placed. Any cancellation requests received after this time will be examined on a case-by-case basis. We offer no guarantee that your order will be able to be canceled after this time period. If your order is placed outside of business hours, you must contact us by 1PM EDT on the following business day. Again, cancellation requests submitted outside this time period are NOT guaranteed, and are examined case-by-case.

All shipping, processes and freight charges are non refundable.

Must receive a confirmation email from sales@safeandsoundhq.com to ensure your cancellation is complete

Orders placed cannot be cancelled by email. Please call us for order cancellations. Safe and Sound will not be responsible for lack of cancellation

Refused Shipments
Orders that are refused at the time of delivery are subject to the original and return shipping fees unless otherwise approved by Safe & Sound.

Return Policy Exclusions

Items marked as FINAL SALE, USED TRADE-IN are nonreturnable

Vehicle specific Car Audio/Video products such as wire harnesses, dash kits, interfaces and other installed components are nonreturnable once opened. Vinyl Albums are non-returnable. Items such as phono cartridges, record brushes, alignment tools and cleaners are nonreturnable Special order, non stocking items are nonreturnable

If you have any questions regarding our return and order cancellation policy, please feel free to contact us- 800-820-6460.

Is Shipping FREE?

We offer FREE Shipping on ALL orders over $99 with the following Exclusions:

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska shipments DO NOT qualify for Free Shipping. Prior to placing your order, please call us at 800-820-6460 to request a shipping quote to your address.

Where are you located?

We are located at 675 Fuller Road in Chicopee, Massachusetts 01020

Do you ship internationally?

We can only ship within the United States

Do you offer Repair Services?

We do not offer repair services currently

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Price
$249.00
$249.95
$129.95
Brand
Audioquest
Audioquest
Audioquest
Model
Dragonfly Cobalt
Dragonfly Red
Dragonfly Black
DAC
ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M
ESS Sabre ESS9016
ESS Sabre ESS9010
Coaxial/Optical Digital Inputs
0 / 0
0 / 0
0 / 0
RCA/XLR Outputs
0
0
0
Subwoofer Output
0
0
0
Headphone Amplifier
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
No
No
No
Wi-FI
No
No
No
Bit Depth (USB)
24
24
24
Max Sampling Rate (USB)
96 kHz
96 kHz
96 kHz
Dimensions (HxWxD)
0.5" x 0.75" x 2.25"
0.5" x 0.75" x 2.375"
0.5" x 0.75" x 2.5"
Weight (lbs)
0.4375
0.438
0.438
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
1 Year
Based on 20 reviews
90%
(18)
10%
(2)
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(0)
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sounds great - color isn't excactly what I saw online

Easy to use; quiet operation; music quality very good for the price.

the cable is what it states it is big and heavy and flows a lot of power needed

Great streaning amp. I love that it looks like my old Yamaha CA-810 amp. However, all of the new tech and connections make the R-N2000A a more than worthy successor.

Great entry level audiophile turntable!

The Eversolo A-8 is a beautiful and very functional DAC Streamers. Aaron service was on point. All thumbs up for Safe and Sound

These are amazing speakers. I did a lot of reading reviews about these before I purchased them. And just like almost all the reviewers said, they sound incredible! The sound does bounce off the walls and immerses you with sound. Even played at low volume, The sound is just pure and realistic. I would highly recommend these to anyone who loves all kinds of music !

The speakers arrived in great condition and the sound really fills my space well. Thank you!

I was genuinely surprised by how much of an impact the Esprit Aura had coming from the Esprit Celesta. The soundstage is dramatically larger and fine details are significantly improved versus the Celesta. The bass was also significantly improved too, bringing deeper extensions on the bottom end just like the better details on the high end. The difference is so significant that’s it’s hard to give a single example because it affected everything so dramatically. As an example though, symbols taper off slower, as it preserves the softer part of the roll off that wasn’t being preserved via the Esprit Celesta cable.
My system consists of a Hifi Rose RS152 going to the RA280 integrated. Speakers are the Audel Magika Plus. Going from the streamer to the amp was a Celesta XLR interconnect.

Excellent upgrade from the 2M Red.

By far the best listening experience of any speakers I’ve owned.

I like the unit, but I have a metal roof of my house. What kind of antenna do I need? I’m having a hard time getting channels.

Great they showed up in beautiful condition, they sound great i really have been enjoying them!

Great product and flawless transaction: no muss, no fuss; arrived on time, all in good condition. What's not to like!

Great turntable, easy transaction.

Massive power, no need for a separate amp for 90 db or higher fronts. This has great streaming capability and high grade DAC.