20.5.2016

I was on the verge of buying something like an Oppo HA-2 or Teac DAC/Amp when I came across this new Dragonfly. I wanted something for use with my iPhone when travelling & in the car and the other devices just seemed too big to carry around. The Dragonfly is similar in size to a USB thumb drive (but reassuringly heavier!) so it seemed ideal and when the reviews started coming in, it seemed to sound good too. My primary use would be in my car, which has a 3.5mm line-in socket with a very nice Harmon Kardon sound system, but it needs a line-level signal to really sing; plugging in my iPhone 6 directly (European model, so has the EU volume limiter) has always been disappointing,any volume above 75% would start to distort the sound and it wasn't loud enough. I used a FiiO E11 headphone amp for a bit but it muddied the sound and couldn't be charged at the same time.Well, I bought the Dragonfly Red over the Black because it has a higher output. Within minutes of receiving it I knew it was a keeper! On volume alone, I would say that with my Sennheiser 598 headphones plugged directly into the iPhone on maximum volume, switching to the DF Red gave me the same volume at around 75%, so there was a fair bit more available if needed. In terms of sound quality at "regular" volumes, I noticed a fuller sound, more of a soundstage (instruments seemed wider, easier to pick out) and slightly clearer lower frequencies; importantly this was still the case when it got very loud, whereas the iPhone's amp would start to distort over 75% volume. When I went back to my headphones through the FiiO E11 into the iPhone, I realised how awful the sound was, really lacking in clarity and not really much louder than iPhone alone - the Dragonfly was so, so much better!When I used the Dragonfly in my car, with iPhone volume turned up to maximum (so the DF headphone socket was outputting at normal line level), wow! I knew straight away I'd done the right thing. It sounded fantastic, as if it were coming straight from the (excellent) CD player (I was playing a mix of lossless ALAC and 256 MP3 files) and the volume was perfect; I went as loud as I dared with the car HiFi volume and really thought I would blow a speaker, and I don't think I hit the maximum. But the sound quality was so clear even when very loud. I was extremely happy... And all this within an hour of receiving the Dragonfly. I appreciate it may sound better after 24 hour burn-in (continuous play) but I was already decided.I would like to add that I used the Dragonfly Red with the new Apple Lightning-to-USB3 adapter - this allowed me to plug a charging cable into the Lightning port and the Dragonfly into the USB port, so that I could listen and charge iPhone at the same time - it worked exactly as expected. In my mind, this is a far better solution than a USB DAC/Amp which has its own battery, requiring charging itself (& maybe can't be charged & used at the same time) and its own volume control; with the Dragonfly, you only have one volume to worry about (the iPhone) and one thing to charge (the iPhone).To summarise: brilliant with an iPhone, get the new Lightning-to-USB3 adapter for charging if needed. If you have an Android phone, you should do some research (start with head-fi.org) because there are devices that work and ones that don't, depending on the phone capabilities.

23.2.2017

About a month ago I bought the Dragonfly Red after much deliberation as I was already using an Arcam rPAC DAC with my Lenovo laptop and AKG K702 headphones. It was intended to be more as a supplement than replacement. I must declare my music is important to me - my tastes are mainly classical with a little blues, jazz and pop thrown in. Also, at 80 I'm aware that my hearing is not up to par. On this point I've established my upper response peaks at around 8.5 kHz - with a low of about 25-30 Hz (+ or - the odd db). Not too bad I suppose and I confirm that I can detect the differences when using (or not) a DAC in the system. Anyway,more important to me equipment-wise is a fairly flat uniform response.I had thought that the rPAC was giving me all I could expect from the system I was using. It definitely improved upon the laptop sound card of course, with a much better sound stage and smoother and clearer frequency response. This was the way I listened to my music for well over 3 years.Perhaps the reason for the Dragonfly was because I'd read in the HiFi press that improvements had been made in DAC manufacture and Audioquest in particular offered a much improved version of their Dragonfly 1.2. (a few years before both Arcam and Audioquest products were similarly priced with similar specs.). So, I took the plunge and got the Dragonfly with the Jitterbug Filter. There is currently much debate about the Jitterbug as to whether it does make a difference. I reasoned that it could be returned if it didn't work.OK, as to the results. My immediate reaction when playing some of my more sonic-ally challenging CD's was, well, pure delight!. All the detail, clarity, sound stage etc. that I expected from the rPAC was there. But, there was something extra, a sort of openness that I hadn't noticed before. I was able to distinguish individual instruments (and groups of instruments) within an orchestra. Soloists, both vocal and instrumental, displayed their positions with clarity. This extra fidelity (call it what you will) is very welcome IMO. Some may argue that analytical sound reproduction at this level may be at the expense of total harmony but I would respond that that is what the artist/recording originally intended.I will also say that I often listen to Internet Radio (BBC 2, 3, Classic FM, etc.). These transmissions CAN contain some astonishing detail. Lastly, on the Jitterbug and whether this had anything to do with the results. Well, to be honest, I really don't know. Bearing in mind my hearing, I've tried running with and without it in circuit both with the Dragonfly and the rPAC. Whatever difference it has on the total must be very subtle. As I'm quite happy with the results so far, I will leave things as they are.Audioquest Red + Jitterbug = Thoroughly recommended.

21.12.2019

I bought the Dragonfly 1.2 when it came out a few years back (2014) when it cost me £129. I was pleased with it: great sound and so very portable – practicality and sound quality combined in such a small package! I thought it money well spent and never looked back...until now. If you can get a 1.2 version at a good price, with the new models out, it’s still worth considering.I was more than a little intrigued to learn that there was now a Dragonfly 1.5 and even a Red and a Cobalt (HOW MUCH?!?) since I last looked. I read a few reviews and decided it probably wasn’t worth spending money on the newer version of mine, the Black (1.5), but wondered should I go a little mad and give the Red a try?I decided the Cobalt was much too expensive to try unless I could compare each properly. So, I went ahead with the Red after it dropped below £150.I popped it into the USB slot of my laptop and put some Spotify Premium and also FLAC files through it to feed my Klipsh x10i and then Sennheiser IE80 earphones. Straight away, with the Klipsh ‘phones, I had to turn the volume down from the setting I use with the 1.2 version. There’s certainly greater efficiency with the new model. But is that it? Just turn the dial down to get the same decent performance.?Well actually, no. Swapping the 1.2 model in and then the Red, using the same FLAC file, I noted that there is more detail, greater crispness and even an improved sense of openness. Everything is delivered with more precision and clarity. Given that I spent £20 more, I consider it well worth the extra, even given the 5yrs of inflation. I consider my listening experience to be enriched.How does the Red (at c.£140+) improve your listening over the Black (c.£70) is not something I can address. Given that the 1.5 (Black) is claimed to improve on the 1.2, I can only guess that the step up from Black to the Red is unlikely to be significant since my perception of improvement from 1.2 to Red is mostly subtle (apart from the power). However, for me, the pre-Christmas gift to myself is well worth the money for an upgrade from the 1.2 version. I look forward to more experimentation.Of course, the thing is: the Klipsch and Sennheiser earphone models I have deliver different experiences in their own right: the Klipsch being ‘lighter’ and ‘brighter’, delivering somewhat less bass weight than the Sennheisers, making the latter seem more ‘rounded’ but occasionally seemingly less tight and precise. Almost as if the former are digital and latter are analogue in characteristic. I hope the AQ Red proves a good partner for both.As an aside, a work colleague loaned me a pair of £18 headphones (purchased down from around £30) and listening to them via the Dragonfly Red was really (surprisingly) good.

7.12.2017

Bought this for myself for Christmas, alot of reviews online,and Amazon all very positive ,there are many articulate people out there that are better than myself to explain the quality of sound "what hifi " did a good review and explained it well, for me I use it attached to my pc and use an appropriate cable to my amplifier or I use headphones , I had initially wanted a DAC to have a digital output, but the next best DAC reviews with one on was another couple of hundred pounds , way to much over my budget , but since using the dragonfly DAC I am very happy with it, and the sound is very good .I think it also depends on your set up and what equipment you are using ,

25.5.2018

I bought this to use with my Android phone. It kind of worked, but not as expected so I returned it. Allow me to explain:I purchased the Dragonfly Red with the newest firmware v1.07. The firmware that was supposed to correct the volume control issue found in Android devices. I know many people buy this item to use with software such as Hiby, Foobar, and USB Audio Player, and if you are one of these people then change my review to five stars and purchase in the knowledge that you will by VERY happy. I however, wished to use it with streaming services such as Google and Amazon music, and here the firmware fix and android control causes issues.There are two volumes to control when using this device with Android.

16.1.2017

Update Feb 2018: I ought to revise completely my previous review. Having read a new firmware update (1.7) fixed the Android volume issue, I have it another chance and am really happy I did. It is now so good thst I cannot tell any difference in sound quality with the Mojo (confirmed by a blind test performed with the kind support of my wife) costing more than twice the price. The Mojo retains a volume advantage and can drive 600 ohm impedances and 2 concurrent headphones, so it can be still a worthy purchase, however in terms of sound quality the DF Red is just there. Great job Audioquest!Tested with Elear, HD600/650/700, T90, Fidelio X2, HE-400i.

5.8.2019

I guess if you are in the market for one of these, then you're probably the sort of person who is buying good quality headphones to use it with. No 'Beats' for you, it's going to be Sennheiser, Grado and Beyer. Which makes it a bit odd that you then pair them up with a mobile phone or laptop to play your music, rather than just buying a decent quality dedicated MP3 player in the first place. I shouldn't say that, because I'm one of the people who used this with a mobile phone, before realising the error of my ways and buying a proper headphone amp.While I was using the Dragonfly, it made a fantastic difference to the sound through my Beyer headphones. I paired them with a Huawei phone,

24.12.2018

Price seems to be justified given the improvement in sound quality. I use it with apple lightening USB adapter and Bower & Wilkins P7 headphones (wired) and sound quality is to die for.I am now also using it connected to my iPad fitted in front of my exercise bike and use it with Sennheiser momentum in ear headphones (about £80 retail price) and the sound enhancement is just astonishing whatever you throw at it, whether listening to Amazon music, Spotify or Apple Music etc. Or even YouTube music videos.Adds volume to the sound. Soundstage is expansive and instruments are separated. Gives a thrill to drum beats and vibration of instruments can be heard.My suggestion,

30.4.2016

I've been using the Dragonfly v1.2 for a few months now and was amazed at how good that was. Great sound, excellent separation and soundstage and powerful enough to generate more volume than you'd ever need. Even used on a decent seperates system it shines. You simply won't believe how good these things are.Then I discovered Audioquest had brought 2 new versions of the Dragonfly, Black & Red. The black one being roughly equivalent to the v1.2 and the Red having an improved chip set and more power than the black, but both now being able to be used with Apple and Android devices as the new chip set apparently uses 77% less power than the v1.2.Being such a fan of the v1.2 I have bought the Red version which promised improvements.

23.6.2016

Amazing bit of kit but how much of an improvement over the "Black" is hard to quantify as despite being double the price, the Red is still "restricted" to 96KHz. I'm not sure this can be addressed with a future firmware update either, however........"restricted" is nit-picking to be honest as even standard CD quality files sound incredible. I would go so far as to say this is pretty much the same as hawking my Audiolab MDac around with me.On the inside, Red Has the latest ESS headphone amp and a 64-bit, bit-perfect volume control due to its ESS Sabre 9016 DAC chip. The Sabre in the Black is a 9010.

24.6.2016

Having recently upgraded my home and portable audio set up I was in the market for a good portable DAC for my phone. Having initially bought the Oppo HA-2 and been very impressed by the sound I was not impressed by the portability so swapping for this little thing made perfect sense. My on the go earphones of choice are the Sennheiser ie80 and ie800 and both sound sublime with this DAC.In terms of sound it makes a huge difference to my on the go listening experience. I run mostly 320kb MP3 files off of an iPhone 6 and it's night and day comparing the sound with and without it. Everything is a lot smoother and more refined. You can feel it at work as your music is played back to you and it's as portable as portable can be.

15.5.2016

The sound quality is more exciting and more detailed than with my phone's headphone jack. I am enjoying listening to my music again.On my Android phone, Spotify works with the dragonfly without any special configuration. I am connecting a Galaxy Note 3 running Android 5.0 using a Ugreen USB 3.0 OTG cable. I have had the dragonfly for 2 days. The manual details how to check if your Android device is supported. Two caveats: (1) Android is automatically up-sampling to 96kHz which has some impact and (2) there are occasional audible glitches possibly because of this up-sampling. AudioQuest recommend using the USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP) app which has its own USB audio driver. For me,

9.8.2018

This morning I downloaded a new recording of Beethoven String Quartets played by Cuarteto Casals onto my iPhone via the TIDAL app. I plugged in my new DragonFly Red using the Apple Camera Adapter, and plugged Etymotic ear phones into the Red. I listed carefully whilst sitting on the tube on the way to work.There is no question that the Red provided a far, far more open and detailed rendition of the music than has ever been possible with the iPhone's on-board circuitry. The "air" around the four instrumentalists was apparent, the space between them, the depth of sound, the touch of finger on string. Even in these far from ideal conditions, it was an entirely satisfying experience of the music at high-end levels of audio delivery.

7.11.2017

The DAC comes very well packed with a colourful box with specifications and a list of accessories, out of the box you will get the DAC and a leather carry case, you will need to buy an extra cable to use it with mobile devices, it works out of the box with USB devices.Music is greatly improved on all devices, I used it on my MackBook Pro, the set up is very easy and it only takes a couple of minutes, most of my music is hight resolution MP3 at 320kpbs only a few FLACS, but with the MP3 files you can see a big different in sound, the sound it's much more detailed and louder. I use it with Sennheiser IE80 and Klipsch X11i, both sound amazing. Better to have some good headphones.I use it with an iPhone 6 with the lightning connector,

12.9.2017

This is seriously impressive. The amount of detail on offer here with tidal hifi is superb. It even works in exclusive mode and using that makes it a lot better still. This was good enough to tell the difference between a 500 pound marantz amp and my musical fidelity xa1 and reveal the differences in detail and realism. What was a shock is the xa1 was some way ahead. I use it with xa1 amp, connected to desktop pc using the jitterbug and this is linked to PMC FB1 speakers. This beats any CD player I've tried and the sound is nearly as good as far more expensive kit in a pricier system. To work well with top end audio components and produce a sound like the band is in the room is seriously impressive for twice the asking price.

AudioQuest DragonFly Red - Reviews

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