AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC Sweepstakes

Register to win an AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Portable USB DAC (Total value $299.95) we are giving away.

According to the company:

In 2012, the original AudioQuest DragonFly thoroughly disrupted the DAC market. For so many casual enthusiasts who had never previously considered the possibility of improving their digital-audio experience, DragonFly was nothing short of a revelation. Meanwhile, even the most experienced audiophiles were compelled to reexamine long-held notions of what a DAC could and should be. Stereophile's Art Dudley enthusiastically summarized, “DragonFly is fun: It's a thumb in the eye of those tea-pinky tyrants who would tell the rest of us what is and is not high end. I can think of no more recommendable product in digital audio.”

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In the early months of 2015, AudioQuest surpassed its previous achievements with DragonFlys Black and Red—two sensational models that offered improved performance-to-cost ratios with unprecedented sound quality, free firmware updates, and, of course, the biggest news of all, compatibility with Apple® and Android® smartphones.

And now comes DragonFly Cobalt—AudioQuest's new flagship DAC. Cobalt takes what music lovers around the world have come to expect from the multi-award-winning DragonFly family—naturally beautiful, seductive sound—and strips away fuzz and fog that weren't even noticeable until Cobalt removed them.

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How is this possible? Like the critically acclaimed DragonFly Red, Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA renderer.

Cobalt's precedent-setting performance is made possible by multiple significant upgrades:

  • New, more advanced ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound.
  • Microchip's superb PIC32MX274 microprocessor draws less current and increases processing speed by 33%.
  • Improved power-supply filtering that specifically increases immunity to WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise.
  • Includes AudioQuest's new DragonTail USB-A (female) to USB-C (male) adaptor to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports.
  • Contoured enclosure measures just 2.26” x 0.73” x 0.47” (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller than its predecessors.

Like previous models, Cobalt uses Gordon Rankin's precedent-setting StreamLength® asynchronous-transfer USB code. Further, in Gordon's monoClock® technology, a single ultra-low-jitter clock generated from the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip runs the ESS chip functions as well as all microcontroller functions. This superior clock enables DragonFly Cobalt to provide greater resolution and clarity than DACs with multiple clocks.

With AudioQuest's DragonFly USB DAC, music appreciation and exploration are limitless: Plug into an Apple or Windows computer or connect to an iOS or Android mobile device. Play YouTube or Vimeo videos. Go hunting on Bandcamp or SoundCloud. Explore playlists on Spotify or Pandora. Stream high-res audio from Tidal or Qobuz. No matter the choice of musical pleasure, DragonFly delivers beautiful sound to earbuds, headphones, desktop speakers, or complete audio systems, unraveling the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable. Now, more than ever before, naturally beautiful sound is right at your fingertips—however you want it, whenever you want it.

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The first 10,000 units of DragonFly Cobalt will come packaged with vouchers for trial subscriptions to the outstanding Tidal and Qobuz music-streaming services. Cobalt customers can begin their musical journeys with two new AudioQuest playlists—On an AudioQuest and Making Connections—available on Tidal and Qobuz, respectively.

Click here for more info.


To enter the sweepstakes, all you need is an account on this website. If you don't already have one, click on the link labeled "register" at the bottom of this announcement or "LOG IN/JOIN" in the nav bar at the right. Then, enter a username and a valid e-mail address, and click on the "Create new account" button. A message will be automatically sent to the e-mail address you specified, which will include a link to activate the account.

The final step (and only step for those who already have an account) is to log in and leave a comment right here on this announcement—any comment will do, as long as it's not profane or spam. Then, when the sweepstakes closes, a lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive the prize. So post a comment, and good luck!

For complete sweepstakes rules, click here.

[This Sweepstakes is now closed]

COMMENTS
Zardoz's picture

Don't have many more years to enjoy the music. Just kidding. I'm only 68, so many more years to go.
Good listening everyone,
Z

Jeffrey B's picture

Please.

bluesman66's picture

In for the giveaway.

markbrauer's picture

like today

Jimf's picture

But will go blue!

johnmotex's picture

Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!

volvic's picture

Put me down. Would love to have it.

WaltonGoggins's picture

For Xmas!

rjs3273's picture

Ummmm. Cobalt.

DrJB's picture

Gave my Red to a friend in need, so...yeah. It would be nice to have another Dragon Fly hanging on my McBüchen. Vielen Dank.

Sr. Crus's picture

Thanks for this great opportunity!

BarryLyndon's picture

To Win It!

Yanakis Dionisios's picture

Love to win!

sdykes's picture

That they get so much "stuff" into that little package! And it will work with my iPhone/iPad! Woop!!! Bring it on!

Mcrusek's picture

Please?

lensimons's picture

Winning a Cobalt would really make my month.

yeehayashi's picture

Love these DACs and would love to win the Cobalt.

DietChapstick's picture

Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.

Plevy25's picture

I would love to have one fly over to my place!

liveculture's picture

And I'll say it again; yes, please!

8thman's picture

Dragonfly, why not.

dbrown's picture

a comment

vinyl_ninja's picture

I'll get a new cell phone to drive it.

mwaehner's picture

Have a red and would love to hear this new one

flowdrifter's picture

Count me in!

flowdrifter's picture

Count me in!

Kimberley's picture

Skeptic - make me a believer!

Htobin5051's picture

My turn?

seaclifr's picture

So I may get to upgrade my original Dragonfly? I love cobalt!

dbowker3d's picture

Here's hoping I get that lucky algorithmic number... Thanks for sponsoring this BTW.

mbratt's picture

Blue DragonFly

JoeESP9's picture

Count me in!

Gxtxox's picture

Love my dragonfly red. Would love to see what this one can do.

arksoundguy's picture

Or the previous few thousand weeks for that matter. I believe it's my turn.

drewmb1's picture

Diggin' It!

nahmiasj@cableone.net's picture

The black was a significant upgrade from the red.Wonder if we'll hear the same on the blue?

concerto12's picture

I want one.

labjr's picture

Cool Toy!

JRSBat's picture

Please include me in the contest!

Triggerf16's picture

Count me in

Nightcrawler's picture

Maybe it plays the "Blues" even better!

Steve's picture

Like it. Megan Rapinoe rules.

gringostarr's picture

These look sweet!

wgmontgomery's picture

I haven't heard any of these but hope to soon.

mrbruce's picture

Love to use this with Sennheiser 580s

jellis's picture

I would be

mzeigler's picture

the new sweepstakes is here!
the new sweepstakes is here!

the matching mole's picture

I'd love to have this to listen to high-res FLACs when I'm at work!

TonyGiranda's picture

This would be sweet!!

jf2016's picture

Would love to win this!

gregroe's picture

I've been wanting one of these since they were introduced but have never pulled the trigger. Fingers crossed!

mstcraig's picture

Yes, please...

bvollrath's picture

Please come flying my way.

gsuen's picture

want it

bvollrath's picture

I sure could use an upgrade.

bvollrath's picture

Come fly to me.

fosterconsult's picture

Need competition for my LGV30+ phone dac

shapiro88's picture

Thanks!

HarryOOOO's picture

Sounds delicious!!

Audiomutt's picture

Thank you!!!

Ken K's picture

...fingers crossed!

That thing is beautiful!

jhead's picture

would like to get a fix on this blue bug.

Bru Fi's picture

If I should be so lucky this would go to my audio guru brother. Hoping to pay it forward.

Jonicont's picture

I’ll take it

Cohnbread's picture

Pick me pick me

whoking's picture

Looks great. Would love to hear one in action.

krahbeknudsen's picture

Would love to have it.

orthobiz's picture

Let's do it.

Paul

discgo1013's picture

Chicken Dinner!

kaloman's picture

Thank you from Honolulu, Hawaii!

Synaptic's picture

by dragonfly!

spyder1's picture

Has many high tech features.

tromba's picture

I'm in

gmangman2's picture

Here's hoping for good luck!

gmangman2's picture

Here's hoping for good luck!

audiot's picture

So this Cobalt thingy changes those crispy little digital bits into smooth, analog audio? I really should look into this. How about a free one to try out?

csenning's picture

I'm all in!

TerryWI's picture

Yay me!

warpig's picture

Gimme, gimme gimme gimme some more
Don't ask, don't ask don't ask what for
Gimme, gimme gimme gimme some more
Don't ask, don't ask don't ask what for
Gimme, I need some more
Gimme gimme gimme, don't ask what for

Mile High Music's picture

I have frequently thought to save enough for one of the earlier models so thank you very much for the potential opportunity! :-)

Tombby's picture

My portable rig is too big to be practical. This DAC/AMP is just the right size!

anomaly7's picture

I'd love to hear this as my very own!

mwcad47's picture

...please !

pagopher's picture

sounds like a very engaging DAC

MrRom92's picture

can’t say no to dac!

Carl Morin's picture

No profanity.

Audiophil1224's picture

I own the Audioquest black, but would love to upgrade to the cobalt!

kruhlin's picture

out

JMCIII1957's picture

Sign me up please

TinCanFury's picture

AnalogPlanet giving away a DAC?! Shall the wonders never cease?!

bsmartin's picture

Thank you

bsncrrt's picture

I'm in - thanks!

RubenH's picture

I quit

AMA1968's picture

One for me, please!

kelossus's picture

Winning this would complete my life.

Kyle_D's picture

Would love to try the Cobalt

mdehand's picture

I would love to her the differance between Analog, Digital and Hi-res.
Thanks for the chance.

randybass's picture

No lie.

Dr Freejazz's picture

Wow, I'd love to have one of the cobalts!

jodaco's picture

...c'mon...please?

xtcfan80's picture

I love listening to old 45s on YouTube and jazz MP3s on drummerworld.com.
I'm sure the AQ Cobalt will greatly improve the sound quality.

Thanks,

Chris

David Andrews's picture

Need Dragonfly please.

recordhead's picture

all eleven of them.

Bluesbob's picture

I might win!

beatcomber's picture

And let me sing upon the stars...

rudirudi's picture

Hope I’m glad I waited for this.

pecan132's picture

I have the Black and enjoy the sound, but wish the output level could be adjusted for different headphones. Is this a firmware issue, or part of the hardware?

bionicman43's picture

I'm down for the upgrade!

Quad66's picture

Finally, Tidal master quality audio off my Iphone!

sennj's picture

Very cool, thanks!

Big Cap's picture

Curious to A-B it with the Black I already have.

drobin71's picture

Yea I kinda want it.

Jumping Bean's picture

Rules!

Pigulka's picture

I'd love to win this fabulous dac :)

mdietric's picture

Would love to try it!
Thx, Mike

John McGurk's picture

Nice upgrade!

RoJo's picture

Never won anything in my life so would be nice to own this as I don’t have a DAC and would like to see what hi-res audio sounds like. Is it any good?

innergroove16's picture

Would love to win!

Carrick's picture

I know it is going to make the...
"Sounds like a whole universe - throbbin' with life"

SWC's picture

plug my FitEar into this, I'm good

StonedBeatles1's picture

To AudioQuest

Dargie's picture

Excellent!

rfro's picture

Got a DF Black, sure could use a Cobalt!

shibata's picture

It will be obsolete within a year. That is why I want the Cobalt.

mdanielson's picture

I'm always up for trying a new DAC.

myersmk's picture

I bet this sounds great.

J. Carter's picture

Would love to try this bad boy out.

Bgroberts's picture

I've got an original. Time for a blue.

Richard Pickup's picture

Count me in!

Wlap09's picture

Sounds great .....count me in

harleyhwl's picture

Atomic Number 27 for me

wisawsow's picture

come on … buzz me with your Atomic #27s

stretch35's picture

I hope not....have not tried these yet.

thatbobfella's picture

stuffed full of goodness...

Send it my way please...

melapa's picture

oooo-oooo pick me...

Travis Klersy's picture

I want it!

Saku93ap's picture

Winner winner chicken dinner

edkc1's picture

Tonight!

Brown Sound's picture

I need an upgrade for my DragonFly 1.0, please!

appdx's picture

Great to hear that they keep improving a product that was so strong to begin with.

Matty Dread's picture

Blue is the warmest color.

Todd Lainhart's picture

Entered

tsmith727's picture

I’d like win one of these!

J.D.'s picture

yes please

Goochified1's picture

Winning.

patagent's picture

Always willing to try new audio gear.

ulysses11's picture

Me, me, me!!!!

absolutepitch's picture

YES, of course I want one.

Paul172's picture

Was thinking about the red before the I found out of the Cobalt! Going to have to give the Cobalt a try first!

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