Enhanced Audio for Laptops and Smart Devices
The AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB digital-to-analog Converter (DAC) is a smart addition to any laptop or smart device-based music production or listening setup. It’s capable of native 24-bit, 96kHz resolution, and its ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp’s 2.1-volt output is easily enough to power most headphones — plus it can be used as a line-level device to power preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs by setting its volume level to 100%. The Dragonfly Cobalt’s 64-bit digital volume control exhibits an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, and its monoClock technology plus StreamLength asynchronous USB code give you both enhanced resolution and seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices. The Dragonfly Cobalt is also a robust Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) file renderer and even lights up in various colors to indicate status or sample rate. Finally, with AudioQuest’s Desktop Device Manager app and a few mouse clicks, your Dragonfly Cobalt’s software can be upgraded at no extra cost!
Note: The Dragonfly Cobalt only renders MQA files and must be paired with compatible software to unfold MQA files. Please consult your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have questions or concerns.
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Enter the Dragonfly
Utilizing Gordon Rankin’s trademarked monoClock technology, the Dragonfly Cobalt contains a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from its ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip. This clock controls its Microchip-branded PIC32MX274 microcontroller functionalities plus the headphone amp and enables the DragonFly Cobalt to produce improved resolution and clarity over DACs, which utilize multiple clocks. Plus, StreamLength asynchronous USB code ensures improved delivery of audio samples to the aforementioned DAC chip, resulting in lower jitter, attenuated resource load, and reduced packet errors. Simply put: Whether you produce music on a laptop or just listen to music from your smart device, the Dragonfly Cobalt is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to enhance your creating or listening experience.
Future-proofed and ready for tomorrow
Like you, Sweetwater knows the frustration of feeling like digital gear goes obsolete the moment you “drive it off the lot.” That’s why we love the Dragonfly Cobalt’s software upgradability. You only need AudioQuest’s free Desktop Device Manager app and your mouse to upgrade the Dragonfly Cobalt’s software in no time (and for free!). This ensures that you’ll get years of usage out of your Dragonfly Cobalt.
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter Features:
- USB DAC that instantly enhances audio quality for laptop-based music production or smart device-based listening setups
- Provides up to up to 24-bit/96kHz native audio resolution
- ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp’s high output of 2.1 volts drives most headphones and can be used as a line-level device to power preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs
- ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip employs Gordon Rankin’s monoClock technology to produce less jitter than multi-clock DACs
- StreamLength asynchronous USB code improves and stabilizes the delivery of audio content to the DAC chip
- Microchip-branded PIC32MX274 microcontroller reduces electrical current draw and increases processing speed by 33%
- 64-bit bit-perfect digital volume control with exceptional signal-to-noise ratio
- AudioQuest’s Desktop Device Manager makes it easy to upgrade software in mere moments and at no additional cost
- Renders MQA files and can unfold them if paired with appropriate software
- Lights up in various colors to indicate status and sample rate
