AudioQuest DragonFly 24/96 Asynchronous USB DAC / Headphone Amp

[Wavelength]

I was wondering if Gordon or anyone could tell us the output impedance for this DAC- important for low impedance IEM headphones.

 

Tim,

It should work fine with IEM's low impedance, the spec sheet says 12ohms minimum load, but I think that is to keep their specs true. Most of the IEM's are greater than that anyways.

 

~~~~

 

Gang,

 

Look nobody is an expert at listening. Everyone does it differently and that is why talking about products is not as good as listening to them. I assume that some people buy and try and I have nothing against that. But I think you would be better served to go listen to something before you buy it.

 

Thanks

Gordon

[Wavelength]

What I would like to know is what is Gordon working on now that does go into my Vintage McIntosh amp?

 

Well the NAMM show is mid July so I am working on my iKodek 500 series 32 bit AD/DA converter. I am also going to show my new guitar amplifier series Dingo and V1.

 

 

Ed Robertson BNL back stage with his Dingo Combo Amplifier - Red Rocks, Colorado

 

As for dacs.... sorry have to keep that stuff private

 

Thanks

Gordon

[HiFiInsider]

Here's my unboxing. I'll embed it when I get to my Mac. Can't do it from my iPhone.

 

[HiFiInsider]

Gordon, why is it limited to 96k? Why not go up to 192k?

[HiFiInsider]

Why don't the DF to sit flush? Is there a way to make it flush? The cable weights down the DF.

 

[wgscott]

Why don't the DF to sit flush? Is there a way to make it flush? The cable weights down the DF.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]970[/ATTACH]

 

I notice that too. At least with my iMac, it is vertical. Ironically, those thick heavy audio quest cables will weigh it down more.

[wgscott]

Gordon, why is it limited to 96k? Why not go up to 192k?

 

You really want to install a driver just so your can play stuff out of your dog's hearing range (assuming your speakers can do that, which they can't)?

[jhwalker]

Why don't the DF to sit flush? Is there a way to make it flush? The cable weights down the DF.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]970[/ATTACH]

 

How in the world could they possibly design the DragonFly so that it would sit "flush" with all the various varieties of computers out there, the USB ports being various heights above the desk, some horizontal and some vertical . . . ?

 

FWIW, on my Windows laptop, where the USB ports run up and down (i.e., vertical), it sits perfectly on my desktop

[realhifi]

Anyone tested this little guy using the USB out of a modified Squeezebox Touch? Might be a killer little streamer dac @ $500.

[AudioDoctor]

Why don't the DF to sit flush? Is there a way to make it flush? The cable weights down the DF.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]970[/ATTACH]

 

Do you have anything positive to say about it?

[AudioDoctor]

Anyone tested this little guy using the USB out of a modified Squeezebox Touch? Might be a killer little streamer dac @ $500.

 

That is a cool idea!

[HiFiInsider]

Do you have anything positive to say about it?

 

I do like the sound and build quality.

 

My WD hard drive cable and other USB thumb drives sits flush so I was just wondering why the DF doesn't.

[labjr]

I do like the sound and build quality.

 

My WD hard drive cable and other USB thumb drives sits flush so I was just wondering why the DF doesn't.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say they probably didn't want people complaining that it wouldn't work because it wouldn't plug all the way in on some computers. Far worse than what you're complaining about since it's not a $5 thumb drive.

[HiFiInsider]

Maybe it's just my OCD that wants everything to fit nicely. Maybe the DragonTail will fill my OCD needs.

[clar2391]

I just got my Dragonfly yesterday and I'm really enjoying it with my MacBook Pro. I'm confused as to which volume control to use in order to take advantage of the analog volume control in the Dragonfly. Do I use the system volume control or the iTunes volume control, or does it matter? The documentation is unclear to me. I know one should be set at 100% and the other should control the variable analog output.

[wgscott]

I've only used it with Audirvana, but in that case, it is the audirvana's own volume control. However, I think if you are using it with iTunes, it is the system master volume control, rather than iTune's own, that you want to use. Keep the iTunes volume control maxed out.

[HiFiInsider]

Anyone know how much the DragonTail will be and when will it hit the streets? Will I degrade the sound if I use a generic USB cable like the DragonTail?

[HiFiInsider]

Like this one?

 

http://www.icablelink.com/system_dntb/products/03152012/4320.jpg

[wgscott]

That will give you a 90° phase shift.

[labjr]

I think you'd be better off with a flexible cable because it will reduce strain on the usb port and the Dragonfly.

[Sumflow]

Do I use the system volume control or the iTunes volume control, or does it matter?

Did you try it both ways?

..with iTunes, it is the system master volume control, rather than iTune's own, that you want to use. Keep the iTunes volume control maxed out.

Wgscott has to be right because on an earlier Gordon Rankin Streamlength USB it says in Asian:

Setting the volume slider on the computer will result hardware in the Proton to set the analog volume control for the outputs to the desired setting.

[Sumflow]

Gordon's digitally controlled analog volume, like that found on the Wavelength Proton and the Dragonfly, will not cause you to degrade your sound when you reduce your computers volume, like it does on the Streamlength Halide Design Dac HD and other designs.

[FNørd]

Just started flying dragons this morning, after visiting the postoffice.

Nice

[sjohnson]

Picked one up today so I'll have it for my 'pilgrimage' back to my high school reunion for some listening and editing I need to do on the plane. It's a great little DAC - out of the box it sounds quite good, very balanced and relaxed without etch with a nice level of detail that is just plain musical and fun. I'm listening with Amarra 2.4.1 through AT ATH-M50 headphones which the DragonFly drives nicely. Volume control via the Mac audio device volume control works great.

[Mercman]

I totally agree with sjohnson. Listened through my Sennheiser HD 600 phones using Audirvana Plus and Pure Music. Well detailed without hardness.