Author Topic: Audioquest Dragonfly Red  (Read 4420 times)

bmwr75

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Audioquest Dragonfly Red
« on: January 05, 2017, 11:23:43 AM »
Just got the Dragonfly Red today.  http://www.audioquest.com/dragonfly-series/#features-red

My source is an Apple iPod Touch 128 GB (latest version) playing Apples Lossless files ripped from CDs.  Am listening via Beyerdynamic 80 ohm DT770 Pro headphones.

Cut to the chase......I'm amazed.  The clarity and detail delivered by this little unit are amazing, as is the volume it can deliver to 80 ohm cans.   My comparative benchmark is the OPPO HA-2SE headphone amp/dac, also recently acquired.    So far, to me the Dragonfly sounds as good as, if not better than the OPPO.

One test track I use is by Chroma Key - Graveyard Mountain Home - Give Up.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IDkmlx9mOs

There is a recorded radio talk show track interspersed through this song.  Have listened to this track via many different systems.  Sometimes I can clearly understand/hear the voices from the radio track, sometimes I can't.  Using the Dragonfly Red the voices are very clear and easy to understand.  The same is true for the OPPO, but to my ears the Dragonfly edges the OPPO out slightly on clarity.  On the Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue - Ode to Billie Joe track, the snapping of the fingers sounds like fingers snapping.  I've heard this many times sound like sticks breaking on other systems.

Another nice benefit is the Dragonfly seems to tame the sizzly highs a little bit on a pair of AKG K550 closed back cans I have.

One unknown right now is how much the Dragonfly will accelerate battery useage on the iPod Touch since it gets its power from the Touch.  Did buy an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter kit to address this issue though.  It allows the iDevice to be charged while using the Lightning port for playing music via the Dragonfly.  http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter

The Dragonfly doesn't decode higher than 96kHz files though, while the OPPO decodes up to 384kHz PCM and DSD256. 

The Dragonfly Red is $199, while the OPPO is $299.

I just ordered the Dragonfly Jitterbug to see what it contributes to USB noise reduction.

OldiesButGoodies

  • Guest
Re: Audioquest Dragonfly Red
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2017, 11:47:59 AM »
Just got the Dragonfly Red today.  http://www.audioquest.com/dragonfly-series/#features-red

My source is an Apple iPod Touch 128 GB (latest version) playing Apples Lossless files ripped from CDs.  Am listening via Beyerdynamic 80 ohm DT770 Pro headphones.

Cut to the chase......I'm amazed.  The clarity and detail delivered by this little unit are amazing, as is the volume it can deliver to 80 ohm cans.   My comparative benchmark is the OPPO HA-2SE headphone amp/dac, also recently acquired.    So far, to me the Dragonfly sounds as good as, if not better than the OPPO.

One test track I use is by Chroma Key - Graveyard Mountain Home - Give Up.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IDkmlx9mOs

There is a recorded radio talk show track interspersed through this song.  Have listened to this track via many different systems.  Sometimes I can clearly understand/hear the voices from the radio track, sometimes I can't.  Using the Dragonfly Red the voices are very clear and easy to understand.  The same is true for the OPPO, but to my ears the Dragonfly edges the OPPO out slightly on clarity.  On the Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue - Ode to Billie Joe track, the snapping of the fingers sounds like fingers snapping.  I've heard this many times sound like sticks breaking on other systems.

Another nice benefit is the Dragonfly seems to tame the sizzly highs a little bit on a pair of AKG K550 closed back cans I have.

One unknown right now is how much the Dragonfly will accelerate battery useage on the iPod Touch since it gets its power from the Touch.  Did buy an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter kit to address this issue though.  It allows the iDevice to be charged while using the Lightning port for playing music via the Dragonfly.  http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter

The Dragonfly doesn't decode higher than 96kHz files though, while the OPPO decodes up to 384kHz PCM and DSD256. 

The Dragonfly Red is $199, while the OPPO is $299.

I just ordered the Dragonfly Jitterbug to see what it contributes to USB noise reduction.

That jives with my experience as well though I did not buy the Red,  just tried it.   It sends out 2.1 volts and sounds significantly better than the original Dragonfly,  which was no slouch. Testing a Questyle CMA600i right now playing Tidal masters.   >:D