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
cclay's picture

Better than the Red? Gotta hear it.

Smokeyjoec's picture

Thanks for an opportunity to win..

Joe

Frank Margeson's picture

Do these small Dac's perform on par with the larger more expensive ones.

martinjohnbutler's picture

I've always been interested in this, but was busy funding my new album. I'd love to get the chance to have one.

jimhb's picture

I would love this!

senorx12562's picture

Free and good is better.

EdmondDesbiens's picture

and maybe free

thxdave's picture

Would love to replace my ancient Turtle Beach dongle with this baby!

patreides's picture

I really want one of these!

Tom L's picture

Thanks for the opportunity.
Also, I think I would like an order of Spam, egg, Spam, Spam, bacon and Spam. Ummmmm!

javabarn's picture

need a new updated dac

cdvinyl's picture

DAC me up.

Lazer's picture

Just hope the winner isn’t determined by the cleverness of the entry.

mixpro's picture

The first black was a blockbuster. Would love to experience the latest in Cobalt.

kleinbje's picture

yes sir

MrGneiss's picture

My turn to win?? :-D

Buster's picture

Oh, yes!

UA1229's picture

Got black, red, I want the blue.

annalog's picture

Incredible the degree of miniaturization. How small would be a decent phono preamp build with the same degree of miniaturization? Well done, AudioQuest!

Radyson's picture

Cobalt is.... improved?

Bob Henneberger's picture

when does it hit stores? or is it already available

ronrubin's picture

Excellent audio and cobalt blue is an excellent combination. Count me in.

Roy Martin's picture

...Is Right.

fredbro44's picture

DAC it to me !

MAbx's picture

I have the Black and would love to own the Cobalt!

Curvfalls's picture

Sounds good to me!

Romarin's picture

Into the DAC ring. Thanks!

jeff8086's picture

about the AudioQuest DragonFly DAC's. Would like to try the new on out for free!

kramth's picture

We all need one. Thank you Audioquest!

saronian's picture

Thank you

saxman73's picture

Would be curious to try it, for sure!

evilroyslade's picture

Sounds like a winner.

kb54's picture

I'd be very happy to upgrade my current Dragonfly!

jfschum's picture

Great sweepstakes!

Johnch's picture

Not that I'll win or anything...

zimmer74's picture

Winning is even better!

ridgewjk's picture

Love ya, Mikey!

2_channel_ears's picture

Dragonfly fly by my window
Dragonfly don't keep me waiting
Dragonfly, you've been away too long

fitzrik's picture

Have the red and would love to hear the Cobalt!

vogelzang's picture

I want me some Cobalt!

gjetson's picture

Yes, please

Steve Edwards's picture

as good as it looks, this could be a nice upgrade in our digital world.

AnalogJ's picture

Coming from Birth Of The Cool Complete, there's no place to go but up.

afarooqui's picture

have one of these. Please count me in.

noirx7's picture

Kool.... Want....

jmset315's picture

I have the original dragonfly in my computer, would like to get this one

mraudioguru's picture

...baby! Cobalt is my favorite Atomic Number-27!

analogdw's picture

I like this so much.

infohou's picture

This would be a nice upgrade to my RED that feeds my SCHIIT Valhalla 2.

gak27's picture

please and thank you

Gstepcox's picture

Would love this addition...

soyka0120's picture

...but the odds aren't in my favor. FWDIM, I have AudioQuest Red

minormist's picture

This would up my mobile DAC game considerably. Count me in!

Miner42's picture

...but I never win

larson manor's picture

It would be sweet to win.

Puffer Belly's picture

...and hear the new improvements.

dbvl13's picture

Thanks for another chance to win!

GD's picture

Love the site!

playthebody's picture

Very Nice

jazzguy's picture

Thanks for the opportunity.

et88b's picture

Need Blue to go with my Black.

RVG Edition's picture

I would be delighted to hear an MQA-enabled DAC in my system.

DocSamG's picture

I would make very good use of this. Love to get one.

lecorbu's picture

I would like to capture a DragonFly Cobalt please!

Caymandoc's picture

Sir, for a poor vinylhead that is forced to listen to digital in my cubicle day in and day out, this wonderful device would be a godsend (By the way, cobalt blue has always been my favorite color--could it be fate...?)

Anton D's picture

Yay!

cmathes's picture

I own a Dragonfly red, but I'll likely jump to the blue, especially if I win!

McFaden's picture

I hope to be the lucky winner.

terrybbagit's picture

To see this on Analog Planet but count me in

virtualbryan's picture

I'm in...

Thanks Mike

tandemdude's picture

I've loved my Dragonfly DACs since they were released. An upgrade though, who could say no?

golanaluna's picture

Color matches my favorite t-shirt

horaciojervis's picture

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

KUTA's picture

This should be a great upgrade over the previous versions of AudioQuest DragonFly.

mtemur's picture

I used to own the original dragonfly and now I'm happily using the red. the best thing about them is getting rid of usb cables.

duskdrums's picture

Looking for some luck!

ssorg's picture

entering the contest. good luck to me!

JEB-42's picture

Great contest! Nice give away! Thank you.....

Mealticket's picture

i like free

audiof001's picture

I'd love to add the Cobalt to my commute!

Mistermuse1's picture

I have the whole series. Might as well add to it.

malco49's picture

would love to have this DAC.

timorous's picture

A thing of beauty is a joy forever...

louv610's picture

Appreciate the opportunity to win. I have an original Dragonfly that I love, but an upgrade would be great!!!

HiFiMark's picture

Would be perfect for LR system...

Manfred's picture

Living in Mexico, promise NOT to cross the Rio Grande and come to the US of A if you send me one... Win-win situation for all of us... ;)!

jokerman's picture

Would love to experience what I am hearing about with this product. Promise to spread my joy!

jhwalker's picture

Pick me!

mirza50's picture
Chris Everhart's picture

Works for me! I hope.

Dbriv's picture

My favorite color. Yes please

btonuzi's picture

Was ready to spring for a RED but I can wait a little bit longer. Good luck to all...

richiep's picture

What a generous company, another great item some lucky Analog Planet subscriber can win. This would be a very very nice piece to start my portable digital system. Thanks to AQ

Analog Fidelity's picture

Use my Red regularly. Glad to see your interview with Darren. He's truly excellent!

Jim Langley in Charlotte NC

rshak47's picture

. . . especially with a temporarily cash strapped equipment budget.

jmroberts's picture

My first gen Dragonfly is connected to MacBook full-time. I'd love to try the new one.

torturegarden's picture

I love the new colour and would love to own one of these.

hockeyyo's picture

Audioquest Niagara power conditioner & cables, etc.

kacomess's picture

I've used the Red since it was first released. It's a fine DAC (to my ears, anyway) and I'm very curious to experience the Cobalt myself to find out if it lives up to Audioquest's claims. Given past efforts on the mini-DAC front, this seems promising, indeed!

MarkD's picture

Ship it to me.

garyalex's picture

Nice color.

billsf's picture

thanks for this great site

CarterB's picture

I want one

JeffreyPT's picture

Sure.

mikerr's picture

My Brother will love receiving this dragonfly RED that I have now

cobra_verde's picture

How about Stillbirth of the Cool?

Corsair's picture

Thank You!

GolmoDiplo's picture

Thanks for the chance...

GolmoDiplo's picture

Thanks for the chance...

GolmoDiplo's picture

I didn't see my post, so I clicked save again, and now there are 2.

Spin Lps's picture

Hope I am the lucky winner!

Paul's picture

Is it just a coincidence I was just shopping for new audio toys?

zaustin2's picture

Would be a great upgrade from my HRT microstreamer

SpeedBump's picture

Me please!

TC's picture

But it’s worth a try.

spin33.3's picture

...to comment.

jdmoviebuff's picture

contest contestant ...!
jd

armaloney's picture

I have the black, which is great for listening on the go. Would love to try the cobalt.

DigMyGroove's picture

BREAKING - Tonight, Pepperland turns BLUE!

Jonno's picture

Yes please..........

theboogeydown's picture

TheBoogeyDown. Pick Me!

RLss's picture

I'm in -

jek's picture

Would love to try it.

carja's picture

Yes, I'd like a chance to own one of these!

Dobro910's picture

I'm in! Good luck to all!

lesliejazz's picture

the new cobalt Dragonfly

SunRa2000's picture

Can/should a Jitterbug be used with the Dragonfly Cobalt?

Feenix's picture

...a Dragonfly. Maybe this is the best way to do it... by winning one!

Avehein's picture

though I wish the upgrades included balanced out or maybe more power instead.

drewmb1's picture

Activating winning mode.....

vuckozagi's picture

I am leaving not profane or spam comment.

GroovyGuru's picture

I'm in...

DavidC's picture

AQ is making some good gear.

Preston's picture

Been thinking about buying one for several years: free is better.

Stringreen's picture
Fabio's picture

No need for a new mobile, but high-quality-audio? That's what I was looking for.

Robscontact's picture

Looking forward to hearing one of these

jbeal's picture

Yes, please... would love to have this to demo to my daughters and their friends.

TK's picture

I have an older model and love it! I use it with my ZU headphones and Iphone primarily but I sure do want this new one!

mariojzz's picture

I love my red. I would to see how the blue out performs it!

frank's picture

I hope!

ColoKurt's picture

Looks like a cool product.

DFacobbre's picture

I want to be, I want to try the blue, sign me up!

PMO's picture

Count me in!

Realred's picture

Thanks in advance

freejazz00's picture

Curious how it compares to red

AnalogNoggin's picture

yes please :-)

uncle lump's picture

Yes, Please and thank you.

robert r dawson's picture

gimmee gimmee...cobalt me please

Logansport Berry's picture

Hat tossed into ring...

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