Audioquest Dragonfly USB DAC

[djvitamind]

Well I've seen the ads in Stereophile over the last months and curious how it sounds. I placed a preorder for it over at musicdirect and should arrive in mid June.

 

I plan on using it with headphones on my MacBook Air at home and when I travel.

 

From their site:

 

Features:

64-position analog volume control

Accepts music files up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution

Asynchronous Class 1 USB data transfer using the Streamlength™ protocol

Direct-coupled circuitry from the ESS Sabre DAC chip through the analog volume control and output analog driver section

Dual Master Clocks are used to minimize the amount of jitter present in the DAC circuitry

 

$249.00

 

I know there are plenty of other options out there but do like the fact that it is so small and portable.

 

Anyone else curious how this will sound?

 

Thanks,

Derrick

[Paul R]

Wow - those sound like sweet specs - Streamlength and a Sabre DAC, buss powered, and analog volume control?

 

-Paul

[djvitamind]

Yeah not bad at all and about the size of a flash drive. Also has a LED indicator that changes color depending on the sample rate.

 

I found a press release here with more info: AudioQuest Spreads its wings with their USB DAC

[realhifi]

It sounds like a great option and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. If they work as advertised they have potential to be a sweet little add on for a number of things.

[AudioDoctor]

here are some links with some pictures/info about it if anyone is curious.

 

AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC | Stereophile.com

 

AUDIOQUEST DRAGONFLY USB DAC at Music Direct

[jhwalker]

This sounds intriguing, but I wonder if it's a bit off the mark in the current marketplace. At $250, seems awfully expensive for what it does. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it sounds great, but sounds a bit pricey for a 24/96 DAC / headphone amp, given there are several others out there for less (e.g., $100-150). For $250, I'd expect 24/192, or some other really differentiating quality, not just the unusual form factor

 

I wonder if an iPad will accept it (i.e., is the power draw low enough that iPads will mount and use it). That's really the killer application for me, as I usually just bring an iPad on most trips instead of a laptop

[AudioDoctor]

I think the Streamlength Code licensed from Gordon Rankin and Wavelength Audio more than makes up for the price difference.

[jhwalker]

I think the Streamlength Code licensed from Gordon Rankin and Wavelength Audio more than makes up for the price difference.

 

Good point. As I mentioned, I'm intrigued - I wouldn't be surprised if I wound up with one of these at some point

[Paul R]

Well, what is expensive to one person is cheap for another I suppose. Still, with those specs?

 

Start talking at $400+, then starting adding more $100 bills till you reach whatever quality you want.

 

The Streamlength code alone is a positive point - designed by Gordon, a huge plus point. Sounds almost like a Proton that is mass manufactured in China with less expensive components and no battery.

 

Might have to buy one myself just to hear it.

 

-Paul