DragonFly Red USB DAC and headphone amp
DragonFly Red USB DAC and headphone amp
$365
Mobile music enhancement
Get beautifully improved musical performance from mobile devices and computers.
Beautiful Music from your Smart Phone, Tablet or Computer
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.
Behold – the DragonFly Red
Convenience and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. With DragonFly Red 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.
Features at a 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
> High output (2.1 volts) drives almost all headphones, including power-hungry models
> 32-bit ESS 9016 DAC with minimum-phase filter
> Bit-perfect digital 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 new DragonFly Red incorporates an improved 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chip which employs minimum-phase filtering for naturally detailed, more authentic sound. DragonFly Red includes the latest ESS headphone amp and a bit-perfect digital volume control that resides on the 9016 DAC chip itself—a sophisticated implementation that ensures maximum fidelity, dynamic contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio.
DragonFly Red outputs 2.1-volts meaning it’s compatible with a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models.
The DAC chip selected is remarkably powerful and sophisticated, this DragonFly Red’s processing capabilities are capped at 24-bit/96kHz resolution. This makes using the DragonFly Red as simple as it’s always been: being fully compatible with PCs without having to download and install new drivers.
Most importantly, DragonFly Red 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.
This is only the beginning…
Introduced to the media at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, DragonFly Red was named “Stars of CES” by What Hi-Fi? Magazine. But this is only the beginning.
The future is going to be all about building stronger, more meaningful connections between music enthusiasts and the artists, albums, songs, and videos. the premises is a simple but important one. AudioQuest’s digital products, will bring more people closer to the original recording of the music they love —wherever they go, whenever they please.
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
Red Automotive Finish With Gold Lettering, Protective End-Cap, Leatherette Travel Pouch
Native Resolution
Up to 24-bit / 96kHz
Output
2.1volts
Direct-Coupled, High output — With a combination of power, beauty, and finesse, DF Red delivers greater overall impact, momentum, and grip than either DF 1.2 or DF Black, while also
surpassing their excellent senses of touch, texture, and nuance. In addition, Red’s high (2.1v) output means that it can easily drive the widest range of headphones. When used as a line-level device (volume set to 100%), DF Red’s 2.1 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
Like the ESS 9010, the 32-bit ESS 9016 uses a sophisticated minimum-phase digital filter to provide more naturally detailed and dynamic music, but surpasses the 9010 in overall performance.
Volume Control
DragonFly Red employs a 64-bit, bit-perfect digital volume control that resides inside the DAC chip itself—an elegant and sophisticated implementation that ensures maximum fidelity, dynamic contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio. With DragonFly Red connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host’s system volume control will, through proxy, control the DragonFly Red’s onboard volume.
Desktop compatiblity
Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10; Apple OS X; Linux (no support provided)
Mobile compatibility
Yes: Apple iOS (5 and newer); Android 4.1 and newer* For Android devices, see owner’s manual
Software upgradable
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 Red virtually plug-and-play for Apple, Windows, iOS, and Android users.
Dimensions
12mm (h) x 19mm (w) x 62mm (l)
| What is it? | |
|---|---|
| Why do I want one? | Superior sound reproduction can be achieved including smartphones |
| Mobile Compatibility | |
| Desktop Compatibility | |
| Dimensions | |
| Brand |
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
At Len Wallis Audio, whether you’re purchasing in store, over the phone or online through our ecommerce store, we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.
Our Refund, Return and Repairs Policy is here to clarify any concerns or questions you might have prior to you making a purchase from us. This way you can be sure of our policy on refunds, returns and repairs and your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
We also recommend you immediately inspect any goods that you receive from us to ensure you are completely satisfied with the goods, including that the goods are of acceptable quality, and match the description we have provided to you.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at sales@lenwalluisaudio.com.au or 02 9427 6755
We require a receipt or proof of purchase.
- Please do not send your purchase back to the original manufacturer.
- There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). For example:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned for reason of change of mind more than 14 days after delivery or purchase from the store.
Consumer Guarantees and Your Rights under the Australian Consumer Law
Refer to our page for more information.
Goods Damaged in Transit.
If any goods arrive damaged, please contact us as soon as possible. Len Wallis Audio will arrange to have the damaged goods returned and either arrange for a replacement of the goods or refund the price to you. Damaged goods must be returned in the condition received by you with all original packaging, accessories and/or manuals.
Refunds
Refunds will be normally be processed within five (5) days.
Delivery Charges
Where Len Wallis Audio considers the goods to have breached a consumer guarantee, any shipping costs to return the goods to Len Wallis Audio will be at our cost.
Returns and Repairs.
You may visit Len Wallis Audio and a staff member will assist you with any return or repair. This may include inspecting the goods, arranging for the goods to be repaired, or providing you with a replacement.
Goods must be returned within a reasonable time.
If any goods cannot be easily returned to us due to their size, the fault or because they have been affixed or installed in your premises, please contact us and we will arrange an inspection to assess the goods.
Goods returned for repair will be assessed and/or repaired within a reasonable time. You may be provided with an indicative repair time, which time may vary due to reasons beyond ours or the repairer’s reasonable control, such as part availability and incorrect fault description.
You may be required to pay labour, assessment and/or freight fees, such as where goods are assessed to have been damaged by misuse or accident, or where your rights under the Australian Consumer Law or any manufacturer’s warranty do not apply. We may provide you with an indicative fee, which may vary due to reasons beyond our control.
If any goods that you return are capable of retaining user generated data such as files stored on a hard drive, and songs stored on a portable media player, the replacement or repair of the goods may result in loss of the data. In these circumstances, we recommend you back up data to prevent data loss, and remove sensitive or confidential data, as a party assessing and/or repairing your goods may be required to view data in the course of carrying out the assessment. We will not be responsible for any data loss.
In some circumstances, goods presented for repair may be replaced by refurbished goods of the same type rather than being repaired. Refurbished parts may be used to repair the goods.
Contact Us
Where you have any questions or concerns relating to your Order, please immediately contact us
We understand that sometimes you may simply change your mind about a purchase or have made a wrong selection. In these situations, you have 14 days in which to return your item for a refund, exchange or store credit. If more than 14 days has passed since your purchase we can’t offer you a refund, exchange or store credit.
To be eligible for a return, refund or store credit your item must be in the same condition that you received it. Which is to say, it must be in the original unopened packaging, and in ‘brand new’ saleable condition.
Please note that current Australian Consumer Law does not require us to offer a ‘Change of Mind’ refund. Rather Len Wallis Audio offers 14 day ‘Change of Mind Policy’ in good faith. For more information on consumer rights and guarantees, please visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission web site.
There are no reviews yet.