AudioQuest Dragonfly COBALT ROCKS!!
The Dragonfly Cobalt is the third AudioQuest USB DAC/headphone amplifier I have bought in the past five (5) years, starting with BLACK v1.0, then to BLACK v1.5, then to RED, now to COBALT. I am thankful I have taken this "progressive" route over time as I have exhaustive first-hand experience with each Dragonfly "color" version, earned through rewarding use. If you appreciate the very best reproduction of recorded music typically delivered via a personal computer (PC) or leading-edge smartphone/portable music player to In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs) and headphones, the COBALT is a worthy 2021 "journey's end". I have spent six (6) weeks listening to the COBALT using my latest favorite IEMs (a lifelong search this is) and TIDAL Highest Fidelity subscription service. Here is the "skinny": COBALT versus RED: roughly DOUBLE the potential audio output capability for COBALT versus RED - this is not just great for 'PUNCH' - it means greater ease of delivery over a greater overall dynamic range - it is BREATHTAKING; NOTE that TIDAL software limits the COBALT's maximum audio output level to help prevent possible hearing loss; NOISE LEVEL - COBALT has no audible background noise, EVER - music arrives out of total BLACKNESS - sort of like the vacuum of space - I have been an audiophile for 45 years and have never experienced this before - a drawback to RED is it produces audible background noise - I believe still it is worth it as RED has fantastic dynamic range and you hear EVERYTHING in the recording in detail - COBALT took some getting used to as COBALT does this too but WITHOUT ANY BACKGROUND NOISE. At first I thought I was missing some detail using COBALT versus RED but my ears/brain just needed to get used to the total absence of noise and the launch of ONLY music in perfect detail in space. I am just amazed at this technology. I am experiencing hundreds of songs as if I have never heard them before. The only way I can experience "better" (approaching live music) reproduced music is to park myself in the best place to listen to a 11-channel, 11-speaker, 10,000-Audio Watt output surround sound system that cost more than 100 times as much as a COBALT to put in place. It is rarely more convenient to get the surround sound system cranked up versus using a COBALT with great IEMs. Plus, I can work at one of my PCs while listening to PERFECT SOUND.
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
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