This thing does make a real difference, in my experience. For a couple years I had the Dragonfly Black and used it with Sony MDR 7506s. Significant improvement listening on phone, laptop. Also noticed a huge improvement in my little Bose Soundlink Mini II when I connected it via the AUX. Recently picked up the Sennheiser HD600. Although the Dragonfly Black provided a noticable bump in power, depth, etc., it did seem like something was lacking. But I was a bit skeptical that the Dragonfly Red would be worth the 100% price markup...my doubts proved unfounded. The Red was a clear upgrade. I'll even use the word "stunning." Aesthetic experience has been elevated to hitherto unknown levels. So yes, definitely a massive improvement, and in my subjective experience, worth the money. Thanks for the straightforward, sober review.
This has been my same experience. I had the black but eventually upgraded to the Dragon fly Red. The upgrade in performance is in part to the increased of voltage from 1.2volt to 2.0volts in the Red.
using dt 770 pro 80 ohms with dragonfly black and been thinking about upgrading to dragonfly red. Would it make sense with 80 ohm headphones or should I get 250 ohms aswell? These headphones kind of old already been looking into getting a new pair in the near future
@@Rosterized My apologies, I can't answer directly to your question but generally speaking higher impedance drivers are harder to drive than lower impedance drivers. How does this translate to the sound quality? There are many variables, so that is why I can't answer directly. Lower impedance drivers will generally sound louder? and have the ability to retrieve more detail and dynamics? But if the DAC or amplifier is of a good design, this might not be an issue. Again this is all subjective depending on the manufacture, and driver designed, etc.. The Dragon Fly Red outputs a higher voltage making driving higher impedance drivers easier, it also has a better DAC chip and amp. You can't go wrong with the Red. Good luck.
Nice review but I'm sorry to say that you are massively underplaying the benefits of dragonfly red here. This magical dac is shaped like a usb because it's aim is to improve sound all around for daily use in computers and mobile devices. Meaning it will also improve your listening experience in movies, video games, podcasts and even lower quality streaming sites like youtube, soundcloud apple music etc. The diffrence between this and a normal dac is a lot as normal dac's even beginner hifi dacs sound metallic while this sounds more lively and emotional. The diffrence between this and a normal dac is like a 4k OLED display compared to 1080p LCD, so it's a must for anyone for takes sound in their setups seriously.
I use the dragonfly red to power my Adam Audio budget studio monitors. With these it makes a massive difference compared to the PC output. Even in youtube! In tidal Hifi the difference is even greater. There's less of a difference between the PC output and the dragonfly red than the dragon fly red and a £2000 chord hugo (I know. I've compared them in a 7k Hifi system!). The hugo is better (as is the mojo) but the difference is not massive in comparison to the terrible sound out of a PC motherboard. Even a good sound card such as a soundblaster Xifi gets nowhere close.
Thanks for this review! I’ve been using my PC’s built in headphone jack with my HD600s, considering buying one of these. I’m curious does this unit also increase volume output or does it strictly affect sound quality? Thanks!
Thanks for the question. The Dragonfly will help with increasing your volume, especially when compared to a normal PC headphone output but the biggest thing I noticed was the increase in definition in the high and low end when compared to my laptop’s headphone output. It just gives the HD580 (which use the same driver as the HD600) more room to work.
I have been doing a lot of research since Apple now features lossless music. When I saw the cost for this item I was shocked. Very, very expensive. Then I discovered the Apple makes a dongle with a built-in DAC for only $9. Do you have a review of the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter? If yes, I would like to see that and hear your feedback. I'm very curious if any other experts here have used the $9 Apple dongle and have feedback.
I have the $9 DAC, it’s great but obviously it isn’t as good as any of the Dragonfly DACs and it won’t to hi-res lossless, if you need that. Honestly, if you’re using low-powered IEMs or headphones that aren’t super expensive, the dongle DAC will sound good enough
Hi and thanks... this is helpful. Before I drop $200 US on one though, I'm wondering how much better they'll make my beyerdynamic DT770 pro sound. I mean, i went with 32ohm since I didn't WANT to have to buy yet another amp for my setup, but I can't get over the sort of under-powered sound I'm getting from them. I'm just on a macbook pro! Here's the odd bit - when I plug in my 2012-13 Klipsch Image One phones, with 36ohm impedance... they actually sound so much more powerful and full/loud. I wonder why? What do you think? Do I need this portable DAC? cheers
Having never used these headphones, I can't guarantee that this DAC will make them sound better. I have used the Dragonfly with my Audio-Technica ATH M50X headphones and they too are very low impedance (32ohms if memory serves correctly) but they do benefit from the Dragonfly Red. It's not by much but they feel more open and the dynamics are ever so slightly better. I would give the Dragonfly a try. Maybe try ordering them from a place that offers a return policy? That way, if you don't think they suit your needs, you can return them.
Get the Tempotec (or Hidizs S8), much cleaner and higher output than AQ Black or even Red. They're also like $35. It drives my HE400i and Sundara beautifully.
Technically but we have never tested it and wouldn’t recommend it. This DAC is mainly for use with headphones. Your results may vary a lot depending on the setup.
it,s my first week with the dragon fly red friday will be exactly 1 week i coud test it wit laptop and yes diference is notible specially in clarity and soundstage bass wass allways great on my focals i played manly yt videos and mp3 the light was on blue all time,unfortundly the dragon tail cable onfly works on my laptop and not iphone 14 pro anybody knows exactly what cable i need for these dosent matter if freom apple or audioquest.
You could. If you take the output of the Dragonfly and run it into a speaker amplifier, then you could use it as a DAC for your speakers. I haven't tried this so I'm not sure how well it would work.
In wired mode, it would work but I’m not sure how much of an improvement in sound quality you would get. DACs like these are made for headphones that don’t have any inbuilt DSP.
Yes I have the Sony XM4. It made a massive difference from Bluetooth usage to wired via the Dragonfly Black and Equalizer APO (using the parameters on Reddit)
Not necessarily. You can plug this DAC into anything. Your phone, tablet, laptop etc and it will make everything sound better. A Sony walkman is just a single DAP.
This thing does make a real difference, in my experience. For a couple years I had the Dragonfly Black and used it with Sony MDR 7506s. Significant improvement listening on phone, laptop. Also noticed a huge improvement in my little Bose Soundlink Mini II when I connected it via the AUX.
Recently picked up the Sennheiser HD600. Although the Dragonfly Black provided a noticable bump in power, depth, etc., it did seem like something was lacking. But I was a bit skeptical that the Dragonfly Red would be worth the 100% price markup...my doubts proved unfounded. The Red was a clear upgrade. I'll even use the word "stunning." Aesthetic experience has been elevated to hitherto unknown levels. So yes, definitely a massive improvement, and in my subjective experience, worth the money.
Thanks for the straightforward, sober review.
Thanks for watching! It is a really impressive little DAC.
This has been my same experience. I had the black but eventually upgraded to the Dragon fly Red. The upgrade in performance is in part to the increased of voltage from 1.2volt to 2.0volts in the Red.
using dt 770 pro 80 ohms with dragonfly black and been thinking about upgrading to dragonfly red. Would it make sense with 80 ohm headphones or should I get 250 ohms aswell? These headphones kind of old already been looking into getting a new pair in the near future
@@Rosterized My apologies, I can't answer directly to your question but generally speaking higher impedance drivers are harder to drive than lower impedance drivers. How does this translate to the sound quality? There are many variables, so that is why I can't answer directly. Lower impedance drivers will generally sound louder? and have the ability to retrieve more detail and dynamics? But if the DAC or amplifier is of a good design, this might not be an issue. Again this is all subjective depending on the manufacture, and driver designed, etc.. The Dragon Fly Red outputs a higher voltage making driving higher impedance drivers easier, it also has a better DAC chip and amp. You can't go wrong with the Red. Good luck.
@@MrXyzasdf thanks for trying though, I'll look into it more, I might get the dragonfly red first anyways and think about headphones later
Nice review but I'm sorry to say that you are massively underplaying the benefits of dragonfly red here. This magical dac is shaped like a usb because it's aim is to improve sound all around for daily use in computers and mobile devices. Meaning it will also improve your listening experience in movies, video games, podcasts and even lower quality streaming sites like youtube, soundcloud apple music etc. The diffrence between this and a normal dac is a lot as normal dac's even beginner hifi dacs sound metallic while this sounds more lively and emotional. The diffrence between this and a normal dac is like a 4k OLED display compared to 1080p LCD, so it's a must for anyone for takes sound in their setups seriously.
I hear when adding the jitterbug to the Dragonfly Red, it improves the sound quality similar to the Audioquest Cobalt.
Didn't know about these, thanks for the info.
I use the dragonfly red to power my Adam Audio budget studio monitors. With these it makes a massive difference compared to the PC output. Even in youtube! In tidal Hifi the difference is even greater. There's less of a difference between the PC output and the dragonfly red than the dragon fly red and a £2000 chord hugo (I know. I've compared them in a 7k Hifi system!). The hugo is better (as is the mojo) but the difference is not massive in comparison to the terrible sound out of a PC motherboard. Even a good sound card such as a soundblaster Xifi gets nowhere close.
I just ordered one for my Sennheiser Momentum 3s... hoping to maximize their sound. Can’t wait for it to arrive! Thanks
Good choice! Hope you enjoy it!
Any updates? Was it worth it?
Thanks for this review! I’ve been using my PC’s built in headphone jack with my HD600s, considering buying one of these. I’m curious does this unit also increase volume output or does it strictly affect sound quality? Thanks!
Thanks for the question. The Dragonfly will help with increasing your volume, especially when compared to a normal PC headphone output but the biggest thing I noticed was the increase in definition in the high and low end when compared to my laptop’s headphone output. It just gives the HD580 (which use the same driver as the HD600) more room to work.
@@digitalaudioreviews7731 This is super helpful thank you. Great channel!
Very interesting. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
I have been doing a lot of research since Apple now features lossless music. When I saw the cost for this item I was shocked. Very, very expensive. Then I discovered the Apple makes a dongle with a built-in DAC for only $9.
Do you have a review of the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter? If yes, I would like to see that and hear your feedback. I'm very curious if any other experts here have used the $9 Apple dongle and have feedback.
I have the $9 DAC, it’s great but obviously it isn’t as good as any of the Dragonfly DACs and it won’t to hi-res lossless, if you need that. Honestly, if you’re using low-powered IEMs or headphones that aren’t super expensive, the dongle DAC will sound good enough
Hi and thanks... this is helpful. Before I drop $200 US on one though, I'm wondering how much better they'll make my beyerdynamic DT770 pro sound. I mean, i went with 32ohm since I didn't WANT to have to buy yet another amp for my setup, but I can't get over the sort of under-powered sound I'm getting from them. I'm just on a macbook pro! Here's the odd bit - when I plug in my 2012-13 Klipsch Image One phones, with 36ohm impedance... they actually sound so much more powerful and full/loud. I wonder why? What do you think? Do I need this portable DAC? cheers
Having never used these headphones, I can't guarantee that this DAC will make them sound better. I have used the Dragonfly with my Audio-Technica ATH M50X headphones and they too are very low impedance (32ohms if memory serves correctly) but they do benefit from the Dragonfly Red. It's not by much but they feel more open and the dynamics are ever so slightly better. I would give the Dragonfly a try. Maybe try ordering them from a place that offers a return policy? That way, if you don't think they suit your needs, you can return them.
@@digitalaudioreviews7731 cheers. coincidentally, I have the M50Xs bookmarked as my back up.
¿Is the dragonfly black better than the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro? I used to listen music with my Sennheiser HD 599
Sorry, I can't answer that question. All I can say is that the Dragonfly and the HD599s sound brilliant together.
@@digitalaudioreviews7731Thanks bro!
599 sounds great with DF red, even better with DF cobalt, which i switched to now.
@@maurycyzych3129 Thanks dude!
Get the Tempotec (or Hidizs S8), much cleaner and higher output than AQ Black or even Red. They're also like $35. It drives my HE400i and Sundara beautifully.
does this work playing ITunes through your receiver to your stereo speakers?
Technically but we have never tested it and wouldn’t recommend it. This DAC is mainly for use with headphones. Your results may vary a lot depending on the setup.
it,s my first week with the dragon fly red friday will be exactly 1 week i coud test it wit laptop and yes diference is notible specially in clarity and soundstage bass wass allways great on my focals i played manly yt videos and mp3 the light was on blue all time,unfortundly the dragon tail cable onfly works on my laptop and not iphone 14 pro anybody knows exactly what cable i need for these dosent matter if freom apple or audioquest.
how about the usage of the dragonfly through an amp and speakers?
You could. If you take the output of the Dragonfly and run it into a speaker amplifier, then you could use it as a DAC for your speakers. I haven't tried this so I'm not sure how well it would work.
Would these work well with the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and anker q30
In wired mode, it would work but I’m not sure how much of an improvement in sound quality you would get. DACs like these are made for headphones that don’t have any inbuilt DSP.
@@digitalaudioreviews7731 I have tried it on my Samsung S7 edge with the WH-1000XM4. In this combination it is a waste of money soundquality wise
Yes I have the Sony XM4. It made a massive difference from Bluetooth usage to wired via the Dragonfly Black and Equalizer APO (using the parameters on Reddit)
Watch video below
just buy a sony walkman much more for yr money
Not necessarily. You can plug this DAC into anything. Your phone, tablet, laptop etc and it will make everything sound better. A Sony walkman is just a single DAP.
You are very wrong here 🙄