The Lightning to USB3 adapter has 2 features that make it better than the standard Lightning to USB Adapter. 1 it has power pass through so you can charge and play at the same time. 2 it has a built in USB HUB which reclocks all the USB signals. Thanks for the nice comments. One of the 5 headphones I use for testing the Grado 225 is one of them.
Thanks for nice comments too. I will eventually get my hands on some Grado’s higher up the range, but nonetheless the 225 are still great headphones for the money! Enjoy.
Thanks Gordon. I hate that dongle from a size perspective, but if the designer says it’s the one to use then I’ll swallow it. I take it dragontail to iPad Pro 2018 (usb-c) is ok straight out the box?
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.
I confirm that the cover cap isn't painted internally. But is so easy an cheap to do it that I am wondering if there is any reason for not painted it. I think one possible reason is to avoid the connector from picking up paint due to friction when inserting and removing it from the cap. In that case, in fact, it would be a correct technical feature and non a quality issue. Observing my Cobalt, I quite sure about this idea because they have painted the edge and initially internal part ande leave to paint the contact area with the USB connector. To paint this slow portion and no the rest is more complex than spray an paint all the inner part. Quite sure is for protecting the USB connector. In the other hand, my unit has no issue and movement between the USB connector and the female minijack connection. If your unit has the probem could be a quality issue as you suggest or some movement or kick that your unit has received once connected. I have also a Chord Mojo, and I agreed that the Mojo is better for demanding headphones. Despite this, the Dragonfly Cobalt is able to move correctly my AKG 712Pro.
I pair Cobalt with a Meze Solo to iPad Pro. The sound has a lot of details and body listening to Amazon Music HD, running at 96kHz, YT runs at 44kHz. I don’t have Tidal so no experience in how MQA performs. I think the cheaper red may be sufficient for me already, but no regret of the purchase.
I believe you said that the cobalt drains the host battery quickly? How badly? I'm assuming that depends on headphone impedance and if cobalt is doing additional stuff like MQA unfolding
Like you say Gary it’s going to depend on lots of factors. I found with a few year old iPhone SE (same size as old iPhone 4 and 5) you’d be lucky if you’d get a few hours. I use an iPhone 8 now and it’s a bit more but you are going to need a battery pack for serious listening.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 what was the battery consumption with the SE (playing music through same IEMs - think you used them with the cobalt) WITHOUT the cobalt? 3, 4, 5 times the longevity?
Is this definitely plug and plug on samsung mobiles now? I dont want to tinker with anything. I would also like it to work in spotify and tidal. Thank you
William Nunn check with audioquest and phone maker but if the phone outputs digital via c usb , you get what is called a dragon tail adapter - basically c usb to usb which the DF plugged into. So I’m sure it will work
i have a Sony MP3/Flac play that only has the regular headphone input.. if i got a USB to 3.5mm Audio Jack (this one: www.amazon.com/dp/B07J3XS7DQ/?coliid=I1DGFTOXQAP6FH&colid=3FQIJX5U31TUE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Would i be able to us that with the Dragonfly Red/or Cobalt? or does the Dragonflys require a source that will power it up. & if it does would that converter that i linked above do the job???? i'm looking to get a headphone amp, & i like that the Dragonfly gives you audiophile sound quality, is small, & won't need bands to attach it to the player.
The dragonfly is a digital to analogue converter and headphone amp. What Sony is it you have? Surprised it doesn’t have a digital Output? The DF does require a source for power and you can use an iPhone adapter as I mentioned in the film. I use a iPhone into a iPhone camera adapter which has a usb socket for the dragonfly and you can charge the phone at same time, then I use a audioquest evergreen 3.5mm to 2 rca from the DF, into a jds labs headphone amp. Then connect the headphones to the jds. Pretty economical.
I think the red is better than the Cobalt. To my ears the red sound more 'fun' than the more clinical sounding Cobalt. I'd recommend buying both and sending the one you don't like back
on my lenovo the difference was obvious watching movies on amazon prime. sound was more detailed the same iem without the dragonfly seemed more flat sounding and less lively
@@13thnotehifireviews7 some constructive criticism: if you reference stuff e.g. your website, your USB DAC stick multi review, etc, perhaps you could link to them in the video and/or in the text summary of the video.
Gary Thompson good call, don’t think I can do UA-cam links in videos just yet but defo in the text below. I’ll do that on everyone from now on. Thanks for the feed back. All helps!
morsebird I’m sorry but I really have no idea. You’d have to check the spec. But you could add on extra headphone amps inline. I used a periodic audio nickel amp but you could use other inline amps. Otherwise if harder to drive go for something more powerful like the mojo would be my advice. I guess only you can know after trialing at a dealer with various set ups and take your cans along! Hope helps in some way.
Hope these Android & Ios manufacturers are starting to put more work into the dac as well, because people will not bring these loose dupings that hang and throw in wires and which are inconvenient to use!
Remi Andre' Pedersen you’ve got a point there but I think often phones come down to a compromise and for cost reasons. But I’m sure one brand will do one, if they havent already.
A lot of smoke and mirrors is what you get for 300$ , A boost in amplification sure but that's it and for 300 I want more and I didn't get it .Sent it back !
@@13thnotehifireviews7 What are you talking about 300 isn't chump change especially for a working man . They make all these claims and it's just not true
SLY SPY it may be because what you have is already good . Judging on what you are saying I think your expectations are out of kilter for what’s possible at price.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I hear ya , My system is good and I suppose 300$ isn't a ton of money but the reviews were outrageous and was expecting wow. I may have set my expectations to high .
The cable arrangement for iPhone is ugly and daft. Why can’t Audioquest make a lightning edition? Is was ready to buy this until I saw the way it has to be cabled.
The dragon fly cobalt is a piece of crap. Avoid it at all costs. The build quality sucks. The headphone jack breaks easily. Its like a $20 DAC that you pay $300 for. I’ve gone through 2 of these things in the period of 4 months. Get a THX dongle DAC instead. (or anything else)
I’ve had mine for sometime with no issues. The Jack is a little wobbly and they need some damping on it, but if you use only iems and are light to touch with it, it’s fine I think.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 The MOTU M2 which is $50 cheaper sounds better and its built better. I would say the same for the THX Dongle Dac which is $100 cheaper. When I buy a product I expect it to last. This thing breaks within a month or two of regular use, which is unacceptable. As I said I have gone through two of them in the period of 4 months time which is ridiculous. AudioQuest is profiting from the review hype train and being the first to make one of these dongle type DACs. But today there are a lot of other dongle DAC options which are cheaper, sound better, and don’t break as easily.
I’m wondering why they are only lasting that long and what specifically you think the issue is and how often you use them. At the end of the day if you are inserting headphones in and out repetitively you are only relying on the solder joints, to which the usb and headphone connection end looks like it’s connected to the main board. Whether they can rubber dampen the ends I don’t know but this is essentially a pcb board and I don’t think anyone would be thinking it is up to the rigours that something like a m2 is designed for as a desktop type set up. You have to be careful with the dragonflies and I wouldn’t use mine everyday to the extent of of using it past it’s useful use. I use it on trains and now and then when It has long use. I’m not hyping them. I bought mine myself as I rated it but similarly a product can only last within confines of its design. I don’t know anything as portable and small that sounds as good, but with that comes design considerations. people complain they get scratched yet they don’t put them in the pouch or protective case.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 No not at all! I leave my headphones plugged into it. The thing is so horribly made it comes lose just from regular use. This is the THX DAC you should review and recommend to your viewers over the Cobalt. This is the one I plan to replace my 2 Cobalts with when they break again - The THX ONYX ua-cam.com/video/15qCj2JWk40/v-deo.html
Are you yanking on the cable ? There must be a reason why it breaks? , which you haven’t postulated yet. If the dac and connection is static and not much force is being added when you plug headphones in, or not kind of ‘IKEA testing it’, lol, it cannot break.......
Very nice and valuable review! Very open, objective, calm and to the point. Answering all the obvious questions. Thanks!
Cheers very much. Keep an eye out for new ones!
The Lightning to USB3 adapter has 2 features that make it better than the standard Lightning to USB Adapter. 1 it has power pass through so you can charge and play at the same time. 2 it has a built in USB HUB which reclocks all the USB signals.
Thanks for the nice comments. One of the 5 headphones I use for testing the Grado 225 is one of them.
Thanks for nice comments too. I will eventually get my hands on some Grado’s higher up the range, but nonetheless the 225 are still great headphones for the money! Enjoy.
Thanks Gordon. I hate that dongle from a size perspective, but if the designer says it’s the one to use then I’ll swallow it. I take it dragontail to iPad Pro 2018 (usb-c) is ok straight out the box?
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.
I love the "quality control" part of the video, because few people mention these issues.
thanks very much. why not, I say. It is still great as I bought one.
I confirm that the cover cap isn't painted internally. But is so easy an cheap to do it that I am wondering if there is any reason for not painted it.
I think one possible reason is to avoid the connector from picking up paint due to friction when inserting and removing it from the cap. In that case, in fact, it would be a correct technical feature and non a quality issue.
Observing my Cobalt, I quite sure about this idea because they have painted the edge and initially internal part ande leave to paint the contact area with the USB connector. To paint this slow portion and no the rest is more complex than spray an paint all the inner part. Quite sure is for protecting the USB connector.
In the other hand, my unit has no issue and movement between the USB connector and the female minijack connection. If your unit has the probem could be a quality issue as you suggest or some movement or kick that your unit has received once connected.
I have also a Chord Mojo, and I agreed that the Mojo is better for demanding headphones. Despite this, the Dragonfly Cobalt is able to move correctly my AKG 712Pro.
Thank you for the review :) It's really good
Thank you, really glad you liked it.
Very interesting review, and very helpful in deciding to buy this product. Just found and subscribed to your channel.
Thanks Mike. Hope you enjoy it. Bw Simon
Mike Cambridge ps if you’d like to do me a review on my Facebook group, please do.
I pair Cobalt with a Meze Solo to iPad Pro. The sound has a lot of details and body listening to Amazon Music HD, running at 96kHz, YT runs at 44kHz. I don’t have Tidal so no experience in how MQA performs. I think the cheaper red may be sufficient for me already, but no regret of the purchase.
Can cobalt handle qobuz 's 192khz hi res song ? Because the indicator just 96khz at maximum rate
Defo not deal breaker
No, unfortunately it maxes out at 96, just like the Dragonfly Red, which I own.
Well articulated review, much much better analysis & explanation.
Fred Costas cheers Fred. Really pleased you like it. Presenting is a learning curve, but slowly getting better. Merry Xmas to you.
I believe you said that the cobalt drains the host battery quickly? How badly? I'm assuming that depends on headphone impedance and if cobalt is doing additional stuff like MQA unfolding
Like you say Gary it’s going to depend on lots of factors. I found with a few year old iPhone SE (same size as old iPhone 4 and 5) you’d be lucky if you’d get a few hours. I use an iPhone 8 now and it’s a bit more but you are going to need a battery pack for serious listening.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 what was the battery consumption with the SE (playing music through same IEMs - think you used them with the cobalt) WITHOUT the cobalt? 3, 4, 5 times the longevity?
How does the dragonfly cobalt match with the shure se 846?
Never tested that Shure
How do I know if the dragon fly cobalt I buy is original or counterfeit?
Buy it from Audioquest
No movement with the casing on mine.
That’s good Ron. Hope you are keeping well?
Have you tried it as a pre-amp? I'm trying to use this with AKG 712 Pros but they certainly need more power.
Yes into headphones with a jds labs atom amp, could combo for on the move. Hotels etc.
so how would it work with senn hd 600? i have a DF black that i use with my cans, would mojo be better or cobalt?
Thanks for your comment, would have to refer you to my video on that.
i have fiio k1 so it is good idea to buy dragonfly black because in my country it costs 140$
Is this definitely plug and plug on samsung mobiles now? I dont want to tinker with anything. I would also like it to work in spotify and tidal. Thank you
Or will I need to buy an iphone for no or less hassle streaming?
William Nunn check with audioquest and phone maker but if the phone outputs digital via c usb , you get what is called a dragon tail adapter - basically c usb to usb which the DF plugged into. So I’m sure it will work
William Nunn the dragon tail comes in the box cheers
Ok yes I will check with samsung
i have a Sony MP3/Flac play that only has the regular headphone input.. if i got a USB to 3.5mm Audio Jack (this one: www.amazon.com/dp/B07J3XS7DQ/?coliid=I1DGFTOXQAP6FH&colid=3FQIJX5U31TUE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Would i be able to us that with the Dragonfly Red/or Cobalt? or does the Dragonflys require a source that will power it up. & if it does would that converter that i linked above do the job???? i'm looking to get a headphone amp, & i like that the Dragonfly gives you audiophile sound quality, is small, & won't need bands to attach it to the player.
The dragonfly is a digital to analogue converter and headphone amp. What Sony is it you have? Surprised it doesn’t have a digital Output? The DF does require a source for power and you can use an iPhone adapter as I mentioned in the film. I use a iPhone into a iPhone camera adapter which has a usb socket for the dragonfly and you can charge the phone at same time, then I use a audioquest evergreen 3.5mm to 2 rca from the DF, into a jds labs headphone amp. Then connect the headphones to the jds. Pretty economical.
Can the computer speakers be plugged into a sound card instead?
benzy blenaru sorry I’m not sure I understand the premise of your question.
I think the red is better than the Cobalt. To my ears the red sound more 'fun' than the more clinical sounding Cobalt. I'd recommend buying both and sending the one you don't like back
I like your idea , there's nothing like listening for yourself !
on my lenovo the difference was obvious watching movies on amazon prime. sound was more detailed the same iem without the dragonfly seemed more flat sounding and less lively
Didn't / can't see a link to your website?
Www.13thnote.net
Gary Thompson www.13thnote.net
@@13thnotehifireviews7 some constructive criticism: if you reference stuff e.g. your website, your USB DAC stick multi review, etc, perhaps you could link to them in the video and/or in the text summary of the video.
Gary Thompson good call, don’t think I can do UA-cam links in videos just yet but defo in the text below. I’ll do that on everyone from now on. Thanks for the feed back. All helps!
Gary Thompson am on Facebook too @13thnotereviews
Would the Sennheizer momentum be hard to drive headphones for the cobalt?
morsebird I’m sorry but I really have no idea. You’d have to check the spec. But you could add on extra headphone amps inline. I used a periodic audio nickel amp but you could use other inline amps. Otherwise if harder to drive go for something more powerful like the mojo would be my advice. I guess only you can know after trialing at a dealer with various set ups and take your cans along! Hope helps in some way.
Hope these Android & Ios manufacturers are starting to put more work into the dac as well, because people will not bring these loose dupings that hang and throw in wires and which are inconvenient to use!
Remi Andre' Pedersen you’ve got a point there but I think often phones come down to a compromise and for cost reasons. But I’m sure one brand will do one, if they havent already.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Comment from the "future" here, Sony released a new flagship phone with an actually good DAC
A lot of smoke and mirrors is what you get for 300$ , A boost in amplification sure but that's it and for 300 I want more and I didn't get it .Sent it back !
You can’t expect the earth at this sort of money.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 What are you talking about 300 isn't chump change especially for a working man . They make all these claims and it's just not true
SLY SPY it may be because what you have is already good . Judging on what you are saying I think your expectations are out of kilter for what’s possible at price.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I hear ya , My system is good and I suppose 300$ isn't a ton of money but the reviews were outrageous and was expecting wow. I may have set my expectations to high .
The cable arrangement for iPhone is ugly and daft. Why can’t Audioquest make a lightning edition? Is was ready to buy this until I saw the way it has to be cabled.
I suppose the issue is it gets broken off of the iPhone. I use mine I bought on trains etc as it doesn’t really matter then.
Not true you can power 600ohm on cobalt
B
The dragon fly cobalt is a piece of crap. Avoid it at all costs. The build quality sucks. The headphone jack breaks easily. Its like a $20 DAC that you pay $300 for. I’ve gone through 2 of these things in the period of 4 months. Get a THX dongle DAC instead. (or anything else)
I’ve had mine for sometime with no issues. The Jack is a little wobbly and they need some damping on it, but if you use only iems and are light to touch with it, it’s fine I think.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 The MOTU M2 which is $50 cheaper sounds better and its built better. I would say the same for the THX Dongle Dac which is $100 cheaper. When I buy a product I expect it to last. This thing breaks within a month or two of regular use, which is unacceptable. As I said I have gone through two of them in the period of 4 months time which is ridiculous. AudioQuest is profiting from the review hype train and being the first to make one of these dongle type DACs. But today there are a lot of other dongle DAC options which are cheaper, sound better, and don’t break as easily.
I’m wondering why they are only lasting that long and what specifically you think the issue is and how often you use them. At the end of the day if you are inserting headphones in and out repetitively you are only relying on the solder joints, to which the usb and headphone connection end looks like it’s connected to the main board. Whether they can rubber dampen the ends I don’t know but this is essentially a pcb board and I don’t think anyone would be thinking it is up to the rigours that something like a m2 is designed for as a desktop type set up. You have to be careful with the dragonflies and I wouldn’t use mine everyday to the extent of of using it past it’s useful use. I use it on trains and now and then when It has long use. I’m not hyping them. I bought mine myself as I rated it but similarly a product can only last within confines of its design. I don’t know anything as portable and small that sounds as good, but with that comes design considerations. people complain they get scratched yet they don’t put them in the pouch or protective case.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 No not at all! I leave my headphones plugged into it. The thing is so horribly made it comes lose just from regular use. This is the THX DAC you should review and recommend to your viewers over the Cobalt. This is the one I plan to replace my 2 Cobalts with when they break again - The THX ONYX ua-cam.com/video/15qCj2JWk40/v-deo.html
Are you yanking on the cable ? There must be a reason why it breaks? , which you haven’t postulated yet. If the dac and connection is static and not much force is being added when you plug headphones in, or not kind of ‘IKEA testing it’, lol, it cannot break.......