Article: Objective: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Review

[jzahr]

Thanks Mansr for the review.

My question is: is this device an improvement over the typical integrated audio output of a laptop (regarding measurements)?

 

Is there any objective reason to use the DF cobalt with a MacBook Pro or some decent android phone already equipped with analog outs?

 

Thanks again,

Jorge

[jzahr]

3 hours ago, mansr said:

The noise level is a little lower than many other devices, though most are already well below what's audible. If you have high impedance, low efficiency headphones you may need the higher than average voltage delivered by the Red/Cobalt, at least if you like to play loud. With a headphone impedance below about 40 Ω, the Black actually delivers higher power. The distortion is somewhat worse than average for half-way decent devices, though again not bad enough to be audible, at least not with normal music. I could not in good conscience advise anyone to buy the Cobalt.

Thanks.

US$299 seems a lot to me for a device that doesn't seem to provide significantly better performance.