While the original DragonFly defined the market for micro-DACs, its USB power draw made it compatible with computers only. Music lovers have craved a more portable version—one that could be reliably used with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

Enter the DragonFly Black. 

Convenience and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. With DragonFly Black any computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone can be used as a true high-fidelity music player, allowing music lovers to enjoy beautiful sound wherever they go, whenever they please.

DragonFly Black Features at Glance 
> USB Stick-Sized Digital-to-Analog Converter
> Plays all music files: MP3 to high-res
> Compatible with Apple and Windows PCs, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices (requires Apple Camera Adapter or Made for Android/OTG adaptor)
> Drives headphones directly
> Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver
> Asynchronous transfer ensures digital timing integrity
> Medium output (1.2 volts) drives a wide range of headphones
> 32-bit ESS 9010 DAC with minimum-phase filter
> Analog volume control

AudioQuest, Gordon Rankin, and Microchip: A Beautiful Partnership
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution that delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower power consumption.

Drawing 77% less current than the previous microcontroller, the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller enables true compatibility with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.
Further, we simply cannot overstate the significance of Gordon Rankin’s contributions to AudioQuest. This new DragonFly models embody many of Gordon’s most innovative, creative, and elegant digital-audio solutions to date.

Improved 32-Bit Digital Performance
For greater overall performance, the DragonFly Black incorporates an improved 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chip—the 9010— employing a minimum-phase filtering for naturally detailed, more authentic sound. While DragonFly Black uses the same high-quality headphone amp and analog volume control found in DragonFly v1.2.

DragonFly Black will output 1.2 volts — that’s enough power to successfully drive all preamplifier input circuits and a wide range of today’s efficient headphones.

While the DAC chips we’ve selected are remarkably powerful and sophisticated, we’ve intentionally limited DragonFly Black processing capabilities to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. This makes using the DragonFlys as simple as it’s always been: they’re fully compatible with PCs without having to download and install new drivers.

Most importantly, DragonFly is designed to honor the music you already own and love. Whether you’re listening to Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, ripped CDs, or state-of-the-art high-resolution files, DragonFly will deliver a more emotionally compelling and enjoyable experience.

Free Desktop Application for Software Upgradability
In addition, the new DragonFlys will be software upgradeable through a complimentary Windows or OS X desktop application. As new developments arise in music player applications, streaming protocols, or other associated software, DragonFly users will be able to incorporate those updates to their existing devices.

And this is only the beginning…
Introduced to the media at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, DragonFly Black was named “A Star of CES” by What Hi-Fi? Magazine. But this is only the beginning.
We look forward to building stronger, more meaningful connections between music enthusiasts and the artists, albums, songs, and videos they love. 

Take your DragonFly even higher with the JitterBug USB Filter! 
The JitterBug USB filter employs dual discrete noise-dissipation circuits to reduce the noise and ringing that plague both the power and data lines of USB ports throughout your audio system. It can be used with USB DACs, hard drives, NAS devices, routers, streamers, computer peripherals, and even with mobile devices into a car stereo! For those who already own DragonFly, JitterBug should be a fun, easy, and affordable upgrade: Simply plug JitterBug into an available USB port, then plug DragonFly into it. For more on the JitterBug click here

Full specifications 
Identification –  Black Soft-Touch Finish With Gold Lettering, Protective End-Cap,
Leatherette Travel Pouch

Native Resolution – Up to 24-bit / 96kHz

Output –  Direct-Coupled, Medium output — More than enough power to successfully and gracefully drive a wide range of today’s efficient headphones. Although DF Black has a lower output voltage than DF 1.2, its more advanced microcontroller and updated DAC chip mean that it can deliver more musical texture and detail — even
when used with moderate-efficiency (~95-100dB/mW) headphones. When used as a line-level device (volume set to 100%), DF Black’s 1.2 volts provide enough power to drive all preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.

Microcontroller –  The Microchip PIC32MX (USB 2.0 compliant) is a full-speed isochronous USB audio solution. Compared to other controllers, the Microchip microcontroller offers extremely low power consumption (77% lower than the TAS1020b and 95% lower than the most efficient XMOS solution), 32-bit architecture, and the option for software upgradibility (via a desktop application provided by AudioQuest). In addition, the Microchip’s ultra-low-noise power supply minimizes the sound-degrading effect of high-frequency interference on the critical audio signal.

DAC Chipset – Compared to the ESS 9023, the 32-bit ESS 9010 offers improved overall performance and uses a sophisticated minimum-phase digital filter to provide more naturally detailed and dynamic music.

Volume Control – Digitally controlled (from the host) analog volume control. With DF Black connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host’s volume control will, through proxy, control the DF Black’s onboard volume, ensuring maximum resolution regardless of volume setting.

Desktop Compatiblilty – Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10; Apple OS X

Mobile Compatibility – Oh Yes! Apple iOS (5 and newer); Android 4.1 and newer* For Android devices, see owner’s manual.

Upgrades ? – Yes (from desktop application): Please download AudioQuest’s Desktop Manager Application and register your product.

USB Protocal – Streamlength™ asynchronous USB code ensures low jitter, low resource load, minimal packet errors, world-class audio playback, and reliable connectivity between our DAC and any computing device compliant with USB Host Mode (as set forth by the USB Organization). Streamlength requires no additional drivers, making DragonFly Black virtually plug-and-play for Apple, Windows, iOS, and Android users.

Dimensions – 12mm (h) x 19mm (w) x 62mm (l)