AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC Sweepstakes
According to the company:
In 2012, the original AudioQuest DragonFly thoroughly disrupted the DAC market. For so many casual enthusiasts who had never previously considered the possibility of improving their digital-audio experience, DragonFly was nothing short of a revelation. Meanwhile, even the most experienced audiophiles were compelled to reexamine long-held notions of what a DAC could and should be. Stereophile's Art Dudley enthusiastically summarized, “DragonFly is fun: It's a thumb in the eye of those tea-pinky tyrants who would tell the rest of us what is and is not high end. I can think of no more recommendable product in digital audio.”
In the early months of 2015, AudioQuest surpassed its previous achievements with DragonFlys Black and Red—two sensational models that offered improved performance-to-cost ratios with unprecedented sound quality, free firmware updates, and, of course, the biggest news of all, compatibility with Apple® and Android® smartphones.
And now comes DragonFly Cobalt—AudioQuest's new flagship DAC. Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family—naturally beautiful, seductive sound—and strips away fuzz and fog that weren't even noticeable until Cobalt removed them.
How is this possible? Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA renderer.
Cobalt's precedent-setting performance is made possible by multiple significant upgrades:
- New, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound.
- Microchip's superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33%.
- Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise.
- Includes AudioQuest's new DragonTail USB-A (female) to USB-C (male) adaptor to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports.
- Contoured enclosure measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47” (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller than its predecessors.
Like previous models, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin's precedent-setting StreamLength® asynchronous-transfer USB code. Further, in Gordon's monoClock® technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip runs the ESS chip functions as well as all microcontroller functions. This superior clock enables DragonFly Cobalt to provide greater resolution and clarity than DACs with multiple clocks.
With AudioQuest's DragonFly USB DAC, music appreciation and exploration are limitless: Plug into an Apple or Windows computer or connect to an iOS or Android mobile device. Play YouTube or Vimeo videos. Go hunting on Bandcamp or SoundCloud. Explore playlists on Spotify or Pandora. Stream high-res audio from Tidal or Qobuz. No matter the choice of musical pleasure, DragonFly delivers beautiful sound to earbuds, headphones, desktop speakers, or complete audio systems, unraveling the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable. Now, more than ever before, naturally beautiful sound is right at your fingertips—however you want it, whenever you want it.
The first 10,000 units of DragonFly Cobalt will come packaged with vouchers for trial subscriptions to the outstanding Tidal and Qobuz music-streaming services. Cobalt customers can begin their musical journeys with two new AudioQuest playlists—On an AudioQuest and Making Connections—available on Tidal and Qobuz, respectively.
To enter the sweepstakes, all you need is an account on this website. If you don't already have one, click on the link labeled "register" at the bottom of this announcement or "LOG IN/JOIN" in the nav bar at the right. Then, enter a username and a valid e-mail address, and click on the "Create new account" button. A message will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you specified, which will include a link to activate the account.
The final step (and only step for those who already have an account) is to log in and leave a comment right here on this announcement—any comment will do, as long as it's not profane or spam. Then, when the sweepstakes closes, a lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive the prize. So post a comment, and good luck!
For complete sweepstakes rules, click here.
[This Sweepstakes is now closed]
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Better than the Red? Gotta hear it.
Thanks for an opportunity to win..
Joe
Do these small Dac's perform on par with the larger more expensive ones.
I've always been interested in this, but was busy funding my new album. I'd love to get the chance to have one.
I would love this!
Free and good is better.
and maybe free
Would love to replace my ancient Turtle Beach dongle with this baby!
I really want one of these!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Also, I think I would like an order of Spam, egg, Spam, Spam, bacon and Spam. Ummmmm!
need a new updated dac
DAC me up.
Just hope the winner isn’t determined by the cleverness of the entry.
The first black was a blockbuster. Would love to experience the latest in Cobalt.
yes sir
My turn to win?? :-D
Oh, yes!
Got black, red, I want the blue.
Incredible the degree of miniaturization. How small would be a decent phono preamp build with the same degree of miniaturization? Well done, AudioQuest!
Cobalt is.... improved?
when does it hit stores? or is it already available
Excellent audio and cobalt blue is an excellent combination. Count me in.
...Is Right.
DAC it to me !
I have the Black and would love to own the Cobalt!
Sounds good to me!
Into the DAC ring. Thanks!
about the AudioQuest DragonFly DAC's. Would like to try the new on out for free!
We all need one. Thank you Audioquest!
Thank you
Would be curious to try it, for sure!
Sounds like a winner.
I'd be very happy to upgrade my current Dragonfly!
Great sweepstakes!
Not that I'll win or anything...
Winning is even better!
Love ya, Mikey!
Dragonfly fly by my window
Dragonfly don't keep me waiting
Dragonfly, you've been away too long
Have the red and would love to hear the Cobalt!
I want me some Cobalt!
Yes, please
as good as it looks, this could be a nice upgrade in our digital world.
Coming from Birth Of The Cool Complete, there's no place to go but up.
have one of these. Please count me in.
Kool.... Want....
I have the original dragonfly in my computer, would like to get this one
...baby! Cobalt is my favorite Atomic Number-27!
I like this so much.
This would be a nice upgrade to my RED that feeds my SCHIIT Valhalla 2.
please and thank you
Would love this addition...
...but the odds aren't in my favor. FWDIM, I have AudioQuest Red
This would up my mobile DAC game considerably. Count me in!
...but I never win
It would be sweet to win.
...and hear the new improvements.
Thanks for another chance to win!
Love the site!
Very Nice
Thanks for the opportunity.
Need Blue to go with my Black.
I would be delighted to hear an MQA-enabled DAC in my system.
I would make very good use of this. Love to get one.
I would like to capture a DragonFly Cobalt please!
Sir, for a poor vinylhead that is forced to listen to digital in my cubicle day in and day out, this wonderful device would be a godsend (By the way, cobalt blue has always been my favorite color--could it be fate...?)
Yay!
I own a Dragonfly red, but I'll likely jump to the blue, especially if I win!
I hope to be the lucky winner.
To see this on Analog Planet but count me in
I'm in...
Thanks Mike
I've loved my Dragonfly DACs since they were released. An upgrade though, who could say no?
Color matches my favorite t-shirt
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
This should be a great upgrade over the previous versions of AudioQuest DragonFly.
I used to own the original dragonfly and now I'm happily using the red. the best thing about them is getting rid of usb cables.
Looking for some luck!
entering the contest. good luck to me!
Great contest! Nice give away! Thank you.....
i like free
I'd love to add the Cobalt to my commute!
I have the whole series. Might as well add to it.
would love to have this DAC.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
Appreciate the opportunity to win. I have an original Dragonfly that I love, but an upgrade would be great!!!
Would be perfect for LR system...
Living in Mexico, promise NOT to cross the Rio Grande and come to the US of A if you send me one... Win-win situation for all of us... ;)!
Would love to experience what I am hearing about with this product. Promise to spread my joy!
Pick me!
Thanks
Works for me! I hope.
My favorite color. Yes please
Was ready to spring for a RED but I can wait a little bit longer. Good luck to all...
What a generous company, another great item some lucky Analog Planet subscriber can win. This would be a very very nice piece to start my portable digital system. Thanks to AQ
Use my Red regularly. Glad to see your interview with Darren. He's truly excellent!
Jim Langley in Charlotte NC
. . . especially with a temporarily cash strapped equipment budget.
My first gen Dragonfly is connected to MacBook full-time. I'd love to try the new one.
I love the new colour and would love to own one of these.
Audioquest Niagara power conditioner & cables, etc.
I've used the Red since it was first released. It's a fine DAC (to my ears, anyway) and I'm very curious to experience the Cobalt myself to find out if it lives up to Audioquest's claims. Given past efforts on the mini-DAC front, this seems promising, indeed!
Ship it to me.
Nice color.
thanks for this great site
I want one
Sure.
My Brother will love receiving this dragonfly RED that I have now
How about Stillbirth of the Cool?
Thank You!
Thanks for the chance...
Thanks for the chance...
I didn't see my post, so I clicked save again, and now there are 2.
Hope I am the lucky winner!
Is it just a coincidence I was just shopping for new audio toys?
Would be a great upgrade from my HRT microstreamer
Me please!
But it’s worth a try.
...to comment.
contest contestant ...!
jd
I have the black, which is great for listening on the go. Would love to try the cobalt.
BREAKING - Tonight, Pepperland turns BLUE!
Yes please..........
TheBoogeyDown. Pick Me!
I'm in -
Would love to try it.
Yes, I'd like a chance to own one of these!
I'm in! Good luck to all!
the new cobalt Dragonfly
Can/should a Jitterbug be used with the Dragonfly Cobalt?
...a Dragonfly. Maybe this is the best way to do it... by winning one!
though I wish the upgrades included balanced out or maybe more power instead.
Activating winning mode.....
I am leaving not profane or spam comment.
I'm in...
AQ is making some good gear.
Been thinking about buying one for several years: free is better.
I want to win....SgreenP@MSN.com
No need for a new mobile, but high-quality-audio? That's what I was looking for.
Looking forward to hearing one of these
Yes, please... would love to have this to demo to my daughters and their friends.
I have an older model and love it! I use it with my ZU headphones and Iphone primarily but I sure do want this new one!
I love my red. I would to see how the blue out performs it!
I hope!
Looks like a cool product.
I want to be, I want to try the blue, sign me up!
Count me in!
Thanks in advance
Curious how it compares to red
yes please :-)
Yes, Please and thank you.
gimmee gimmee...cobalt me please
Hat tossed into ring...
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