I literally asked for the Cobalt vs E30 comparison via email 2 days ago. I'm so glad you made this review! Finally I can feel at ease with upgrading to the E30 and keeping my Cobalt for traveling. Thanks again!
If you like a bit fuller midrange, also consider SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII... Just testing it, great device. They're equal in quality, E30 is a bit more analytical but 10th MKII is a bit fuller and more musical (a bit more to my personal taste). Both benefit from iFi iPower or similar low noise power supply.
In order to use it properly with an Android phone you have to use USB Audio Pro app otherwise the output audio will be limited by Android system to redbook. Great review.
So 16/44.1 then? I dont have have hi-res audio (nothing 24/48-192) so I wouldnt need the USB Audio Pro app? 90% of my music is FLAC from cds and some compressed mp3s.
Thank you Srba for another fine review :) I like the fact that more DAC/Amp manufacturers include a balanced output socket, even when this has to be as small as 2.5mm to be accommodated in the smaller devices. The current carrying capacity of balanced outputs into a given headphone impedance is often twice that of single ended outputs. In addition, balanced amplifiers reduce noise so there is a double benefit. I am not surprised, therefore, that the balanced output of the ($100 less expensive) Earmen Sparrow turned the tables on the single ended Dragonfly Cobalt in perceived sound quality. It’s a pity that the manufacturers of more affordable headphones don’t produce balanced cables for their products, in view of the increased availability of balanced amplifiers. The SMSL Sanskrit comparison with the Topping E30 that you mention in a reply to another comment sounds interesting. I look forward to seeing your review.
I have the Topping E30 and the Dragonfly black and I use the Dragonfly only for fast heavy metal, like speed, power or thrash metal. It's simply better for this genre of music. But when I feel like listening to jazz, electronic music or progressive rock or simply slower types of rock I only use my Topping. I guess the Dragonfly cobalt would be even better for faster types of metal. So keep it in mind when deciding between those two. This could spare you a couple of bucks.
I use mine on my PC with power greey magnaplanner Audeze LCD-1 . On my phone I use less demanding headphone. I tried it on my phone and tablet it drayns the battery fast. The Cobalt is excellent and great for travel
Actually the Dragonfly cobalt costs quite a lot of dollars. I just bought it and I really like it as a sound, I compared it to the sound of my old Motu 828 MK2 fireware sound card which still sounds great today and I must say that I was surprised by the Dragonfly's great versatility. Unfortunately the dragonfly cobalt lacks the possibility to connect my beautiful Focal clear mg in balanced and I regret not being able to use it with this configuration and this is actually a real shame because as you said, the Dragonfly is not cheap.
I was close to getting the Cobalt but then you reviewed the Sparrow, and after researching both, the Sparrow was a no-brainer for me. Most of what I own is single-ended but I do have a pair of Elegias that can be balanced so it made sense for future proofing. I've been using the Sparrow as my desktop DAC/amp with powered speakers and actually prefer it (generally) to my Zen DAC. Unless I want the bass boosting ability of the Zen I prefer the clean sound of the Sparrow. I think if the Cobalt was 200 it'd be a tremendous value but at 300 it seems way too limiting and specific for that price. It's worth noting that before Earmen released a patch for the Sparrow I was concerned about the amount of power it draws from a smartphone. Seemed like a lot. But post patch it's inline with how much my Xduoo Link draws which is reasonable. The Cobalt is supposed to be extremely efficient in terms of its power draw, did you notice any improvement over the Red in that regard or as compared to the Sparrow? Excellent video, I think my audio preferences are closest to yours out of all the reviewers I watch so your videos have helped me to make more informed purchases. Appreciate the content!
I haven't noticed much difference in power draw. Probably because my song browsing (screen) and wifi consume bigger chunk of the battery than the DAC itself.
Can you compare the Cobalt with the "Lusya Fever DAC"? You have done that to the Dragonfly Black, why not do it again with the Cobalt? FYI, i own the Dragonfly Black for 2 years, and then i bought the "Lusya Fever DAC" after listening to your review. After my own testing with the "Lusya Fever DAC", i am totally agreeing with your honest comments, kudos!
Cobalt is clearly better than both, with better bass control, layering, and more details overall. But if you want another "giant killer" that can go head to head with Cobalt I suggest looking at E1DA Power DAC ua-cam.com/video/uRu4yodNh8k/v-deo.html
Hi :), do u think that balanced outputs sounds better just because of their higher output power or also because they are usually better designed and usually use dual or quad DAC vs single DAC (3,5mm) config. atc...? Because i think so, but there are other people for example (No theme reviews, that say its just about the power advantage and eficient enaught headphones sound the same on 3,5mm vs balanced).
Is Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt compatible with Grado Labs SR80e? Just making sure before I make a purchase because other people complain about hearing lots of hiss, pops and clicks.
Hi there Love your content How does it compare Luxury and Precision W1 to Lotoo Paw S1 Which is better in sound quality Thank you so much 🤟🎧 (Looking for separation, details Not warming is also important Neutral is my thing 🤙🤓
A question, if I am using a portable DAC between my headphones and my 3.5mm jack MP3 output, is it better to use the balanced output jack instead or it does not matter since I am using DAC?
Very detailed review, thank you for this. Can you please tell us which phone are you using? Here's why I'm asking: I can not get my Samsung Galaxy S9+ to push sound through the USB to my Donald DAC. The same DAC works fine with my laptop. It's really unclear to me why is it so, especially since I see a lot of reviews on YT with different USB DACs working with mobile phones with no issues. Thanks
Thanks! I'm using Xiaomi Mi 8 lite at the moment. Some DACs need OTG cable and sometimes when simulated OTG is used, orientation of the cable is important too. For example, EarMen Sparrow works only when side of the cable with logo on it goes to the DAC and unmarked side to the phone. So I'm guessing it's something with the cable, not with the phone itself.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks a lot Srboljub. After installation of the USB Audio Player Pro and some fiddling with the Samsung OTG adaptor, I finally got the sound through the USB to my DOnald DAC. Great!
@@iiWiReviews Since I just managed to make the combo work, I didn't do any serious listening yet. The first impression on my vintage system (Samsung S9 - Donald DAC - Marantz 2285 - Monitor Audio Bronze 5), compared to the direct RCA connection, is that everything has opened up quite a bit, much more clarity, but that is basically what you expect as a difference between a phone internal DAC and an external DAC (even a relatively cheap one), isn't it?
Hello, I need to ask. Do the dragonfly cobalt plays equally good from the PC and the android? From my experience amp/DACs use to play little bit better on PCs(battery powered included for instance xduoo 05 plus), than on the mobile phones. So my question is, will I get the same quality sound from my mobile phone (android) in comparison with PC? The one exception from my experience is for example nextdrive spectra (it plays the same good on PCs and on androids) so maybe Cobalt is the same case.Thanks :)
If you mainly use it at home, I would suggest to go with something bigger such as Topping E50. It simply mops the floor with these portable DACs, sound-quality wise. Then add a nice low noise power supply to it and prepare to be amazed. :) Regarding the balanced outs, you can only use them if your amp has balanced inputs too.
i found the mojo very claustrofobic compared to the dragonfly. very good and full sounding but very small focussed soundstage in my experience. the difference was pretty obvious. its also a matter of preference i guess.
I’ll research, but in case anyone wants to answer... is there an iPhone version and an Android one? You know, cables are different. Ok. From Audioquest: it comes with a type C to USB A. You’re welcome
It's a good device, especially if you need it to be portable. I think you can do better for desktop purposes. For example FX Audio DAC-X6 MKII is typical overachiever that can put some more expensive devices to shame.
@@iiWiReviews thanks for the suggestion. The problem is that it's not available in my country (India) at the moment. Import fees are at an all time high.
Honestly I have no idea since I never had a contact with Chrome OS. But just for the record, FLAC support has nothing to do with driver support, it's a separate thing.
No need to apologize, and I just remembered something that might help a bit. Dragonfly is a class 1 USB device, this means it works driverless on Windows, iOS, and Linux. So if you can find the info if Chrome OS supports class 1 USB audio, than it should support this DAC too.
So far I'm not even aware there are counterfeits. 🤔 But if there are, then I guess buying from a trusted seller is the only way. Avoid eBay and AliExpress since they often host counterfeits.
If you buy appropriate aftermarket balanced cable with 2.5mm TRRS jack, yes you can use those with balanced output. Basically all IEMs have completely separate left and right earbud meaning they can use balanced connection, but it's never provided in the box so you have to purchase cables yourself.
The only one I have tried that has all of that is Burson Playmate. Very good and powerful device, costing around $400. I did a review on it some time ago, you can find the video here on the channel or written review on iiwireviews.com.
@@iiWiReviews hmm sounds good, but I am really just looking for something to make sure I am getting the best mic and sound quality out of a gaming headset. That device is probably a little overkill for my needs
I am not sure but I thought Schiit had a good one but not sure as I don't remember the specific model. Also perhaps audient evo 4 might be a more suitable option for you needs Alex, but I am not sure if that is what you were looking for.
For $9 you can purchase the Lighting to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter. It features a built-in DAC. This is very, very underrated and not spoken about enough. Especially as a budget friendly option.
Can you recommend a portable dac/amp combo under £100 that , for my laptop while I'm out and about. I'm Considering a beyer DT770 pro 80ohms or DT990 pro 250ohm. Any suggestions?
Using a dongle protects the DF. Just imagine a phone with an erection with zero flex inside your pocket; bend or bump the wrong way and you got a broken device. Definitely makes it more portable.
Topping nx4 runs circles around it. And it cost only 160usd. Cobalt is very overpriced and stupid. At that price they could made a nice blueooth dongle and it would have served some purpose.
Don't buy it It sounds like s*** It is not worth the money,I threw mines down the street because it made my speakers to my stereo system sounds scratchy, some type of problem with the ground loop, then they want you to purchase a '$65.00 jitterbug this thing will be costing me near $500 and it sounds terrible.
see ASR review, basically overpriced badly designed product from a snake oil company. loads of distortion and low power. Get an e1DA instead, or any other competitor really. If you need to drive a Sundara for instance, it will clip like crazy near full volume and lack power... MQA is also a scam. Yes, brand awareness, like the 7000 USD speakers cable from the same company that are demonstrably no better than 30 USD cables... Subjective reviews are OK, but please back them up with some data if you want to be really honest and helpful, and of course Audioquest will not give you much data at all...
I literally asked for the Cobalt vs E30 comparison via email 2 days ago. I'm so glad you made this review! Finally I can feel at ease with upgrading to the E30 and keeping my Cobalt for traveling. Thanks again!
If you like a bit fuller midrange, also consider SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII... Just testing it, great device. They're equal in quality, E30 is a bit more analytical but 10th MKII is a bit fuller and more musical (a bit more to my personal taste). Both benefit from iFi iPower or similar low noise power supply.
I like your work and I trust your words. Keep it up, it will all come to you in time, you are good enough.
Loved your comparison review. Now I can choose which to get based on the pricing and my usage. Thank you!
Great review , your description is so precise and detailed . Greatly appreciated !
Loved your honest review and now i am your subscriber... Keep the good review going on...
Thank you this helped me a lot knowing that even the E30 sounds better for a desktop non portable dac
In order to use it properly with an Android phone you have to use USB Audio Pro app otherwise the output audio will be limited by Android system to redbook. Great review.
So 16/44.1 then? I dont have have hi-res audio (nothing 24/48-192) so I wouldnt need the USB Audio Pro app? 90% of my music is FLAC from cds and some compressed mp3s.
Thank you Srba for another fine review :) I like the fact that more DAC/Amp manufacturers include a balanced output socket, even when this has to be as small as 2.5mm to be accommodated in the smaller devices.
The current carrying capacity of balanced outputs into a given headphone impedance is often twice that of single ended outputs. In addition, balanced amplifiers reduce noise so there is a double benefit.
I am not surprised, therefore, that the balanced output of the ($100 less expensive) Earmen Sparrow turned the tables on the single ended Dragonfly Cobalt in perceived sound quality.
It’s a pity that the manufacturers of more affordable headphones don’t produce balanced cables for their products, in view of the increased availability of balanced amplifiers.
The SMSL Sanskrit comparison with the Topping E30 that you mention in a reply to another comment sounds interesting. I look forward to seeing your review.
I have the Topping E30 and the Dragonfly black and I use the Dragonfly only for fast heavy metal, like speed, power or thrash metal. It's simply better for this genre of music. But when I feel like listening to jazz, electronic music or progressive rock or simply slower types of rock I only use my Topping. I guess the Dragonfly cobalt would be even better for faster types of metal. So keep it in mind when deciding between those two. This could spare you a couple of bucks.
I use mine on my PC with power greey magnaplanner Audeze LCD-1 . On my phone I use less demanding headphone. I tried it on my phone and tablet it drayns the battery fast. The Cobalt is excellent and great for travel
I’m leaning more to the cobalt as I read all over about EFI/EMI issues with the sparrow. And I’ll use it mainly to stream from my phone
Great review, man.
Actually the Dragonfly cobalt costs quite a lot of dollars. I just bought it and I really like it as a sound, I compared it to the sound of my old Motu 828 MK2 fireware sound card which still sounds great today and I must say that I was surprised by the Dragonfly's great versatility. Unfortunately the dragonfly cobalt lacks the possibility to connect my beautiful Focal clear mg in balanced and I regret not being able to use it with this configuration and this is actually a real shame because as you said, the Dragonfly is not cheap.
I was close to getting the Cobalt but then you reviewed the Sparrow, and after researching both, the Sparrow was a no-brainer for me. Most of what I own is single-ended but I do have a pair of Elegias that can be balanced so it made sense for future proofing. I've been using the Sparrow as my desktop DAC/amp with powered speakers and actually prefer it (generally) to my Zen DAC. Unless I want the bass boosting ability of the Zen I prefer the clean sound of the Sparrow.
I think if the Cobalt was 200 it'd be a tremendous value but at 300 it seems way too limiting and specific for that price. It's worth noting that before Earmen released a patch for the Sparrow I was concerned about the amount of power it draws from a smartphone. Seemed like a lot. But post patch it's inline with how much my Xduoo Link draws which is reasonable. The Cobalt is supposed to be extremely efficient in terms of its power draw, did you notice any improvement over the Red in that regard or as compared to the Sparrow?
Excellent video, I think my audio preferences are closest to yours out of all the reviewers I watch so your videos have helped me to make more informed purchases. Appreciate the content!
I haven't noticed much difference in power draw. Probably because my song browsing (screen) and wifi consume bigger chunk of the battery than the DAC itself.
Brilliant view thanks ❤️
Thanks n good review....helpful
Can you compare the Cobalt with the "Lusya Fever DAC"? You have done that to the Dragonfly Black, why not do it again with the Cobalt?
FYI, i own the Dragonfly Black for 2 years, and then i bought the "Lusya Fever DAC" after listening to your review. After my own testing with the "Lusya Fever DAC", i am totally agreeing with your honest comments, kudos!
Cobalt is clearly better than both, with better bass control, layering, and more details overall. But if you want another "giant killer" that can go head to head with Cobalt I suggest looking at E1DA Power DAC ua-cam.com/video/uRu4yodNh8k/v-deo.html
Please, Zorloo Ztella DAC review !
How is Ibasso DC 01 ?? Please review it for android type C dac
How is the Black 1.5 compared to the Cobalt using both into a speaker system amplifier?
Does this work with iphone to play apple music hi-res lossless music?
Hi :), do u think that balanced outputs sounds better just because of their higher output power or also because they are usually better designed and usually use dual or quad DAC vs single DAC (3,5mm) config. atc...? Because i think so, but there are other people for example (No theme reviews, that say its just about the power advantage and eficient enaught headphones sound the same on 3,5mm vs balanced).
Is Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt compatible with Grado Labs SR80e? Just making sure before I make a purchase because other people complain about hearing lots of hiss, pops and clicks.
Hi there
Love your content
How does it compare Luxury and Precision W1 to Lotoo Paw S1
Which is better in sound quality
Thank you so much 🤟🎧
(Looking for separation, details
Not warming is also important
Neutral is my thing 🤙🤓
A question, if I am using a portable DAC between my headphones and my 3.5mm jack MP3 output, is it better to use the balanced output jack instead or it does not matter since I am using DAC?
Hi, will the AQ Dragonfly Cobalt work well with the 70ohm Audeze LCD-2 Fazers? Thanks
I have Coblat using it with HD800s, what headphone amp can bring significant improvement? I’m ok with desktop amps.
Very detailed review, thank you for this. Can you please tell us which phone are you using? Here's why I'm asking: I can not get my Samsung Galaxy S9+ to push sound through the USB to my Donald DAC. The same DAC works fine with my laptop. It's really unclear to me why is it so, especially since I see a lot of reviews on YT with different USB DACs working with mobile phones with no issues. Thanks
Thanks! I'm using Xiaomi Mi 8 lite at the moment. Some DACs need OTG cable and sometimes when simulated OTG is used, orientation of the cable is important too. For example, EarMen Sparrow works only when side of the cable with logo on it goes to the DAC and unmarked side to the phone. So I'm guessing it's something with the cable, not with the phone itself.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you very much. Does this meen that any USB OTG cable should do the job?
@@iiWiReviews Thanks a lot Srboljub. After installation of the USB Audio Player Pro and some fiddling with the Samsung OTG adaptor, I finally got the sound through the USB to my DOnald DAC. Great!
Yes it should but I never personally tried Donald DAC so not sure how it agrees with phones in general.
@@iiWiReviews Since I just managed to make the combo work, I didn't do any serious listening yet. The first impression on my vintage system (Samsung S9 - Donald DAC - Marantz 2285 - Monitor Audio Bronze 5), compared to the direct RCA connection, is that everything has opened up quite a bit, much more clarity, but that is basically what you expect as a difference between a phone internal DAC and an external DAC (even a relatively cheap one), isn't it?
Can it power 600 ohm headphones (akg k240)? Thanks!
Hello, I need to ask. Do the dragonfly cobalt plays equally good from the PC and the android? From my experience amp/DACs use to play little bit better on PCs(battery powered included for instance xduoo 05 plus), than on the mobile phones. So my question is, will I get the same quality sound from my mobile phone (android) in comparison with PC? The one exception from my experience is for example nextdrive spectra (it plays the same good on PCs and on androids) so maybe Cobalt is the same case.Thanks :)
I heard many good things about Cobalt but it’s costly. Please review iBasso DC 01
get the newer DC03
How does the dragonfly cobalt match with the shure se 846?
Which one you advise if my main use is at home and connect to amplifier ? And can I use the dac with balanced output with any amplifier ?
If you mainly use it at home, I would suggest to go with something bigger such as Topping E50. It simply mops the floor with these portable DACs, sound-quality wise. Then add a nice low noise power supply to it and prepare to be amazed. :)
Regarding the balanced outs, you can only use them if your amp has balanced inputs too.
For me its the best portable dac.
How about cobalt vs earmen tr-amp?
Some reviews nx4 dsd is the same sound
EarMen Sparrow vs DragonFly: Which one would you pick?
Sparrow for balanced connection, DF for single-ended.
Im seriously considering this. Can you tell me what usb C adapter you are using to connect the Dragonfly please?
That adapter comes in the box and it's high quality, so no need to buy one.
You sound exactly like Jay Iyagi
How many aliases are there ?!
Maybe but we're not the same person. Jay's much prettier then me. 😄
Any idea how it compares to the Mojo? I’ve been using it as a portable in coat pocket or man bag (I almost always carry a bag).
Haven't tried Mojo but maybe I'll try and get one.
A friend heard both and they said they were very similar sound quality
i found the mojo very claustrofobic compared to the dragonfly. very good and full sounding but very small focussed soundstage in my experience. the difference was pretty obvious.
its also a matter of preference i guess.
I’ll research, but in case anyone wants to answer... is there an iPhone version and an Android one? You know, cables are different.
Ok. From Audioquest: it comes with a type C to USB A. You’re welcome
Is the topping nx4 dsd still worth it in 2020? I found a pre owned deal for 100 USD. Looks to be in good condition.
It's a good device, especially if you need it to be portable. I think you can do better for desktop purposes. For example FX Audio DAC-X6 MKII is typical overachiever that can put some more expensive devices to shame.
@@iiWiReviews thanks for the suggestion. The problem is that it's not available in my country (India) at the moment. Import fees are at an all time high.
O yeah, same thing here in Serbia. :) In that case, NX4 is a perfectly fine device... I used it for some time and loved it.
Will the Topping e30 work with a Chromebook? Im unsure due to drivers but i do know that chrome os now supports flac natively. Incidentally, thanks.
Honestly I have no idea since I never had a contact with Chrome OS. But just for the record, FLAC support has nothing to do with driver support, it's a separate thing.
@@iiWiReviews Please excuse my ignorance.
No need to apologize, and I just remembered something that might help a bit. Dragonfly is a class 1 USB device, this means it works driverless on Windows, iOS, and Linux. So if you can find the info if Chrome OS supports class 1 USB audio, than it should support this DAC too.
@@iiWiReviews Thankyou. To be honest I am more interested in the Topping e30.
How does this compare to ifi hip dac, dragonfly red, Hidizs sonata, and ifi nano bl?
It has more clarity and it's more authoritative sounding than Red. Same goes fore Sonata... Haven't heard those to iFis so can't comment on them.
Thanks !
How do I know if the dragon fly cobalt I buy is original or counterfeit?
So far I'm not even aware there are counterfeits. 🤔 But if there are, then I guess buying from a trusted seller is the only way. Avoid eBay and AliExpress since they often host counterfeits.
can I use a balanced output with any IEM ? Bl03, CCA c12, KXXS...
If you buy appropriate aftermarket balanced cable with 2.5mm TRRS jack, yes you can use those with balanced output. Basically all IEMs have completely separate left and right earbud meaning they can use balanced connection, but it's never provided in the box so you have to purchase cables yourself.
@@iiWiReviews HI, thanks
thank you for your answer, it's very clear
Where does it plug into a pc desk top computer?
Any USB port you have access to. You can also use an USB extension chord if needed.
Dongle IBASSO 2 WITH 2 DAC...THE BEST
what dac / amp combo do you recommend that has both mic and headphone inputs?
The only one I have tried that has all of that is Burson Playmate. Very good and powerful device, costing around $400. I did a review on it some time ago, you can find the video here on the channel or written review on iiwireviews.com.
@@iiWiReviews hmm sounds good, but I am really just looking for something to make sure I am getting the best mic and sound quality out of a gaming headset. That device is probably a little overkill for my needs
Yeah, I get it but it's such a rare combination that nothing else comes to mind at the moment.
I am not sure but I thought Schiit had a good one but not sure as I don't remember the specific model. Also perhaps audient evo 4 might be a more suitable option for you needs Alex, but I am not sure if that is what you were looking for.
what about if you have iphone with lightening port?
Then you need to use Apple camera adapter to connect any USB DAC.
For $9 you can purchase the Lighting to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter. It features a built-in DAC. This is very, very underrated and not spoken about enough. Especially as a budget friendly option.
Can I use it for a speaker?
If it's an active speaker then yes, you can.
Can you recommend a portable dac/amp combo under £100 that , for my laptop while I'm out and about.
I'm Considering a beyer DT770 pro 80ohms or DT990 pro 250ohm. Any suggestions?
Dam...the E30 is the best DAC under $200?
13:10 “Best portable device”? Then get rid of that huge USB-A male connector first
Using a dongle protects the DF. Just imagine a phone with an erection with zero flex inside your pocket; bend or bump the wrong way and you got a broken device. Definitely makes it more portable.
Would be nice to get some comparisons of specific parts of specific songs instead of vague audiophile words
Too much story being said, go straight to the point about the review of cobalt
Topping nx4 runs circles around it. And it cost only 160usd. Cobalt is very overpriced and stupid. At that price they could made a nice blueooth dongle and it would have served some purpose.
Yeah, that's why no one's ever heard of the NX4 and no audio file magazines or websites have ever spoken about it.
No. It measures poorly
An overpriced device just like Mojo
400£ Mojo easily best DAC under 800£
Mojo beats any dongles, period and its not $600 anymore.
Ibasso dc03 will defeat this overpriced dongles
Don't buy it It sounds like s*** It is not worth the money,I threw mines down the street because it made my speakers to my stereo system sounds scratchy, some type of problem with the ground loop, then they want you to purchase a '$65.00 jitterbug this thing will be costing me near $500 and it sounds terrible.
It's a terrible device, performs about the same as a 30 dollar generic one. It's power output and ability to handle low ohm headphones is laughable.
Apparantly its... the worst. You will be lucky it it works with your HP/IEMs. Check out Amirs review.
see ASR review, basically overpriced badly designed product from a snake oil company. loads of distortion and low power. Get an e1DA instead, or any other competitor really. If you need to drive a Sundara for instance, it will clip like crazy near full volume and lack power...
MQA is also a scam.
Yes, brand awareness, like the 7000 USD speakers cable from the same company that are demonstrably no better than 30 USD cables...
Subjective reviews are OK, but please back them up with some data if you want to be really honest and helpful, and of course Audioquest will not give you much data at all...