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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.
Sample Rates Supported (indicated by LED color)
- 44.1kHz (Green)
- 48kHz (Blue)
- 88.2kHz (Amber)
- 96kHz (Magenta)
- MQA (Purple)
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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I’m entered!
I have purchased three Dragonfly's as gifts and they have been the most appreciated gifts imaginable.
I want to win!
Love these products.
love the dragonfly
Free and good is better.
Would love to have this.
Could really use this.
I’m looking forward to this upgrade and the USB-C connector
I got the old black edition but would love to have the new Cobalt.
Looks awesome!
I need this for my iPhone, iPad and Qobuz!
and a free one would be even better! Thanks for this comp.
...hope ;)
I'm bald and beautiful
Hi, I hope to listen to your AudioQuest playlists through your new Cobalt DAC very soon :-)
I’ll take one
I have the Black and would love to own the Cobalt!
...to me
pick me pls!
this is the comment. I hope I win.
Hi, i'd love to participate
Thanks! Looking forward to hearing this.
But my stomach hurts.
I like audio things.
I have been a fan and pusher of the Dragonfly since I first plugged in my cans. I’d love an upgrade but my original “Blacks” are so pleasing I have had a hard time justifying the 3x reinvestment.
But a give-away? Sure, I’ll buy that.
how much better this is than the inner DAC/amp of the Macbook pro
Noticeably if my experience with the Black is any guide
Hello!
Sweet prize!
Audioquest Dragonfly me to the moon...
I’ve been waiting for the upgrade and here it is with jitterbug built-in! Basically you’re getting those two devices and a slight upgrade for just an extra 40 bucks or so. It’s also smaller and if we get one with the voucher then you get that extra month off free hopefully from TIDAL or Qobuz on top of what you would’ve gotten from just signing up with them directly. I have to check that out to see if that is the case.
I heard a new Dragonfly was in the works, so it's exciting to finally see it! This would pair GREAT with my brand new pair of NightOwls!
Is just what I need
I'd love to win this…
...and would sure love to hear the new improvements.
Nice!
'Midnight (cobalt) Blue' :-) .........
Great opportunity to get one of this dragonfly portable DACs that are excelente piece of gear!
but it doesn't work with my ipad and iphone.
How much power does it draw in the worst case?
Wish me luck:)
Pick me
I'd love to have one of those.
Looking for luck!
I hope I win.
Im on a quest to slay (read: win) this Dragon(fly)!!!
Thanks team innerfidelity and audioquest for this contest.
Peace .n. There and Back Again, in Stereo
Three Toes of Fury
Here's hoping
DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC
I'm in!!!
No chicken dinner, just want a dragonfly Cobalt!
I'm entered - good luck to me;)
These look SWEET!
This is perfect, I love AQ products!
This is perfect... I love AQ products!
All over this like stink on shit!!
Cobalt, my favorite color!
I
I love to eat mashed potatoes.
Gimme! Gimme!
Nice giveaway! It’s been a long time since the Black and Red were released, very curious to hear what improvements a new Dragonfly can bring.
I like one to compare it with my Red Dragonfly.
Now I do need this one.
…looks nice. I want one.
Yes, please. An upgrade to my current Red + Jitterbug setup.
Nice giveaway!
This dac/amp combo looks like a perfect fit for my mobile setup, would love something like this.
... may need to get one whether I win or not ;)
It sounds amazing. I appreciate the opportunity.
Why not try my luck in this sweepstakes?
My brother will be stoked to receive my Dragonfly RED
I've been wondering if I could get better sound for my IEM's from my iphone, and of course found the Audioquest Dragonfly models. I was wondering why they're using the old Sabre chip and I don't like the Red plus it's too much. I was shocked when I landed on the innerfidelity homepage and saw this! WOW that blue is nice and they're using a current ESS chip!! I like the Sabre sound, and while I bet this sounds awesome, unfortunately for me, this is just too expensive. If I win this (would literally be the first time in my 40 years I've EVER won ANYTHING) I can handle that price, otherwise, this is a cool dream product.
I would love to give the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt a proper in home and on the road test.
Just want to feed my P9 and NightHawk!
sounds promising, would love to give it a try.
Pick me!
Please upgrade my HRT microstreamer.
I have no headphone jack on my Oneplus 7 Pro :(
...it's time to upgrade my Dragonfly Black
It'll be interesting to know how this stacks up against the Nextdrive SpectraX.
Please pick me!
Finally, a good portable DAC!
Thanks for the opportunity of winning a Cobalt DragonFly. Maybe I'll get lucky!
I do not enter many if any contests at all but this one I cannot pass up. I have been looking to add a DAC/AMP into the mix for some time and AudioQuest Dragonfly does tick off all the boxes in a very portable and versatile design. I would love to be able to experience all that the AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt can offer. Cheers!!!
Ready to win.
I started the audiophile world with the Dragonfly 1.2 and thereafter the Dragonfly Red. So here's to getting my hands on the Dragonfly Cobalt and doing a review of the differences with the Red and 1.2!!
Great device
The new Cobalt Dragonfly!
Love the design of this, colour choice was on point. I'd be stoked to replace my old DAC!
yes, i want to win!
Nice!
Hope I'll get to try the sound as well!
I'm in!
Count me in!
I use the Red every day!
Fidelity for the people!
I do not use red or black but blue works for me.
I can’t afford dragonfly cobalt, so I will be buying one. Perhaps I’ll win one.
Interesting addition to the Dragonfly family. Can't wait to win one and compare it to my DF Red.
I need this for my poor pixel 2 phone!
go Cobalt!
Gook luck to all!
Throwing my hat in the ring!
This or the Mojo!
and this looks like the best
Here's hoping.
Here's hoping.
Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!
Would love to win a brand new Audioquest Cobalt Dragonfly to pair with my Nighthawks!
MQA compatibility is very nice for portable dac. Might get this dac for myself if the measurements are good.
I am interested to hear how it compares to Red...
Mostly because I've never won anything and want to continue my 40 year old streak.
For me :)
I will have to get access to one and see how it well it works. Looking forward to it! And of course, if I win, then it will probably see everyday use!
Cool Toy!
The AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC looks great!
In it to win it.
Congrats on the latest upgrade to the Dragonfly line of products.
Wish Me Luck!
Wanna give it a go.
I'm looking forward to reviews and possibly hearing one for myself.
Great reviews so far on the Dragonfly Cobalt. Would love to win one.
I Love the Black & Red ... cannot wait to try the Cobalt. Great Product from an Awesome Company!
great piece of gear. Can only imagine what a better version of that is.
I need one now!!
If I win I'll be blue, if I lose I'll still be blue.
Fly me to the moon, Dragonfly!
Would really like to try one of these
want it
Pick me.
I'm so excited! This will fit in perfectly in my portable setup :)
I would really like to win it!
I would love to get one!
Me siento con suerte. Thank Inner Fidelity and Audioquest.
Can it match big over-ears such as HD800?
Enter
Just ordered a Dragonfly Black this morning - should have waited...
Hope I win.
Hi there! Long time lurker... finally registered.
I want to take part in the sweepstakes and win a dragonfly cobalt
Nothing's free.
looking forward to winning
maybe....
Cool addition to all if the other versions I own!
Preparing to win....
Love an upgrade!
This device will be excellent to increase the number of music listeners on the digital scene
Very ingenious a must have!
DAC looks amazing; would be honored to win!
I need this!
My headphones need you..
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