Model Comparision

DragonFly Black
ENCLOSURE AND ACCESSORIES
DragonFly Red DragonFly Cobalt
Black soft-touch finish with gold lettering | Protective endcap |
Leatherette travel pouch
Red automotive finish with gold lettering | Protective endcap |
Leatherette travel pouch
Cobalt blue automotive finish with silver lettering |
Protective endcap | Contoured enclosure | Leatherette travel pouch |
DragonTail USB-C adaptor
Direct-coupled, medium output: More than enough power to
successfully drive a wide range of today’s efficient headphones.
When used as a line-level device (volume set to 100%), DF
Black’s 1.2 volts provide enough power to drive all preamplifier,
integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.
Direct-coupled, high output: Enough power to easily drive the
widest range of headphones. When used as a line-level device
(volume set to 100%), DF Red’s 2.1 volts provide enough power to
drive all preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.
Direct-coupled, high output: Enough power to easily drive the widest
range of headphones. When used as a line-level device (volume set
to 100%), DF Cobalt’s 2.1 volts provide enough power to drive all
preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.
NATIVE RESOLUTION
Up to 24-bit / 96kHz Up to 24-bit / 96kHzUp to 24-bit / 96kHz
HEADPHONE AMP
ESS Sabre 9601 ESS Sabre 9601Texas Instruments TPA6130
DESKTOP/PC COMPATIBILITY –
Apple OS 10.6.8 and later | Microsoft Windows 7 and later | Linux (no technical support provided)
MOBILE COMPATIBILITY –
Apple iOS 5 and later (requires Apple Camera Adapter; Lightning to USB 3 recommended) | Android 5.0 and later (requires micro-USB DragonTail, USB-C DragonTail, or
other USB adaptor for Android devices)
DIMENSIONS
12mm (h) x 19mm (w) x 62mm (l) 12mm (h) x 19mm (w) x 57mm (l) 12mm (h) x 19mm (w) x 62mm (l)
MONOCLOCK TECHNOLOGY –
OUTPUT
2.1 volts 2.1 volts1.2 volts
Extremely low power consumption with 32-bit architecture and
the option for software upgradability (via AudioQuest’s free
Desktop Device Manager).
Extremely low power consumption with 32-bit architecture and the
option for software upgradability (via AudioQuest’s free Desktop
Device Manager).
Same features as Red and Black, but reduces current draw and
increases processing speed by 33%.
MICROCONTROLLER
Microchip PIC32MX270 Microchip PIC32MX274Microchip PIC32MX270
with minimum-phase fast roll-off filter. with minimum-phase fast roll-off filter. with minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound.
DAC CHIP
ESS ES9016 ESS ES9038Q2M ESS ES9010
In Gordon Rankin’s monoClock
®
technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS DAC chip runs the headphone amplifier, as well as all microcontroller
functionalities, enabling DragonFly to produce greater resolution and clarity than DACs that employ multiple clocks.
VOLUME CONTROL
64-Bit Bit-Perfect Digital Volume Control 64-Bit Bit-Perfect Digital Volume ControlAnalog Volume Control
MQA RENDERING
YES YESYES
YES YESYES
YES YESYES
YES YESYES
UPGRADABLE FIRMWARE
YES YESYES
DragonFly Model Comparison