-Audioquest DragonFly Red USB DAC

The Audioquest DragonFly Red USB DAC is the new addition in the DragonFly range and has a lot of improvements compared to the previous model. One of the biggest additions is the ability for it to work with Apple and Android phones and tablets due to an array of new parts and technology. To connect to Apple devices all you need is Apple's Lightning to USB camera adapter and for Android you need an OTG adapter which Audioquest manufacture called the DragonTail.

Inside a DAC is an input processor called a USB microcontroller and for the DragonFly Red Audioquest worked extremely closely with Microchip Technology to design and make a new high performance full speed microcontroller that not only significantly lowers power consumption but also improves on the signal to noise ratio.

For the DAC chip itself Audioquest decided to limit the processing to 24-bit/96kHz and they did that for a couple of reasons, one reason being that it is fully compatible with PC's as you don't have to download and install new drivers. Another reason and a more important one is that faster processing can mean more noise so even though some extremely high end DACs with the best components do offer an incredible sound quality, many DACs can actually sound better when they have been down-sampled by the computer from 24/192 to 24/96 before then sending the data onto the DAC. This means that whether the music is being played from Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, ripped CD's or Hi-res files, the DragonFly is designed to get the best out of it.

The DragonFly Red features an improved 32-bit ESS Sabre 9016 DAC chip with minimum-phase filtering which allows a more natural, detailed sound. It includes the latest ES headphone amp and a bit-perfect digital volume control that exists on the actual chip itself which then allows a better sound quality that more dynamic and a better signal to noise ratio. The bit-perfect digital volume control is better compared to a digital volume control because the DragonFly red doesn't compromise the signal, doesn't reduce finesse and subtlety and low-level detail.

2.1 volts is the output power (compared to the 1.8V on previous DragonFly models) which is perfectly enough to easily drive all preamplifier input circuits and an even wider range of headphones that include very power hungry units. If you want to hear each instrument clearer and in a wider space then this is the DAC for you. Software updates for the DragonFly Red are rolled out through the free Windows and OS X desktop applications so even when music player applications, streaming protocols or other associated software have new developments and features you won't miss out on any of it.

Play all music files: MP3 to high-res

Compatible with Apple and Windows PCs, as well as iOS and Android devices (requires Apple Camera Adapter or Made for Android/OTG adaptor)

Asynchronous Class 1 USB data transfer using the Streamlength™ protocol

Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver

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