Like all previous DragonFly models, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin's precedent-setting StreamLength ® asynchronous-transfer USB code. With its higher 2.1-volt output, DragonFly Red is compatible with a wider range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models.ĪudioQuest, Gordon Rankin: A Beautiful Partnership DragonFly Black outputs 1.2 volts-enough power to successfully drive all preamplifier input circuits and a wide range of today’s efficient headphones. While DragonFly Black uses a high-quality headphone amp and analog volume control, DragonFly Red includes a more advanced ESS headphone amp and a bit-perfect digital volume control that resides on the 9016 DAC chip itself-a sophisticated implementation that gives Red a unique combination of power and grip over the music. The ESS 9010 DAC chip in Black and the higher-performance 9016 chip in Red employ minimum-phase filtering for naturally detailed sound. DragonFly Black, the most affordable model of the award-winning DragonFly family, has been praised by Darko.Audio as “the quintessential everyman hi-fi product,” while its more sophisticated sibling, DragonFly Red, combines significantly improved performance with still exceptional value.
