AudioQuest Dragonfly Review : Affordable, Outstanding, Tiny DAC / Amp - Page 63

I just got a dragontail and also noticed the weird gap issue. Seems like a design flaw. Also, the cable is too stiff and short for my use

Need some advice. I am currently shopping for a headphone amp/DAC to pair with my Sennheiser's HD650's. Have a local audio store that suggested this product and the Music Fidelity's V-CAN II headphone amp. If I buy this do I even need to use a seperate headphone amp?

What do you guys think of this:

http://www.amazon.com/iLuv-4-Port-USB-Hub-iCB709WHT/dp/B00703BLQ2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfas521 

Need some advice. I am currently shopping for a headphone amp/DAC to pair with my Sennheiser's HD650's. Have a local audio store that suggested this product and the Music Fidelity's V-CAN II headphone amp. If I buy this do I even need to use a seperate headphone amp?

The DragonFly drives the HD650 pretty well. I just did a quick comparison over 4 songs on the HD650 via the DragonFly, then via my regular desktop rig (Rega DAC/Little Dot MkIII).

For money, the DragonFly is a good DAC/Amp. It gives an enjoyable listen with the HD650, with more then enough power to drive it. I only use up to step 45 of the 64 step analog attenuator in the DF. 

Compared to my desktop rig, the DF is a little more congested and tense. Treble is a little harsher. The Rega DAC also pulls out more detail then the DF. Overall, the Rega DAC/LD MkIII is more refined, but at 4 times the overall cost of the DF.

I use the DF at work with Sennheiser IE80/UE Triple.Fi.10 and the DF is a great compact and discrete unit for this purpose. And I think the sound quality for the money is very good. As just a standalone DAC, I think it's good value for the money as well. I prefer it as a DAC to my Music Streamer II. The DF has a more resolving and open sound then the MSII.

Here's the DT and DF connected.  The DT cable is stiff and hard to bend.  Not what I expected.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzjin 

 

Someone earlier said it required too much power, but should work with a powered hub. Audioquest is coming out with another version for Android later this year.

Is there any info about that date? I wouldn't wait any longer than the end of the 1st quarter, so I wonder about it. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keevs 

The DragonFly drives the HD650 pretty well. I just did a quick comparison over 4 songs on the HD650 via the DragonFly, then via my regular desktop rig (Rega DAC/Little Dot MkIII).

 

For money, the DragonFly is a good DAC/Amp. It gives an enjoyable listen with the HD650, with more then enough power to drive it. I only use up to step 45 of the 64 step analog attenuator in the DF. 

 

Compared to my desktop rig, the DF is a little more congested and tense. Treble is a little harsher. The Rega DAC also pulls out more detail then the DF. Overall, the Rega DAC/LD MkIII is more refined, but at 4 times the overall cost of the DF.

 

I use the DF at work with Sennheiser IE80/UE Triple.Fi.10 and the DF is a great compact and discrete unit for this purpose. And I think the sound quality for the money is very good. As just a standalone DAC, I think it's good value for the money as well. I prefer it as a DAC to my Music Streamer II. The DF has a more resolving and open sound then the MSII.

THANK YOU for that review. I have experimented and found that the DF with DECIBEL squeezes every last drop of data possible.

Software players also make a big difference. I use Audirvana Plas (OSX) at home and Foobar2000 with WASAPI at work (dang locked down work laptops).

I've heard Decibel is very good as well.

I would love to see a comparison of the DragonFly with the new Schiit Modi & Magni set in terms of SQ.

I would not get the Schiit set for work as I prefer the DF size and discreetness (I moved from a HRT MSII/RSA Tommahawk setup to the DF).

The advantage I see with the DF vs the M/M combo is no cables (USB or interconnect) needed for the DF. This to me is a big advantage as there is no need to worry the added expense for quality cables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischerb 

Is there any info about that date? I wouldn't wait any longer than the end of the 1st quarter, so I wonder about it. Thanks

According to the link below, it should be out soon. But there's a strange lack of information.

http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/audioquest/1220/bumblebee/bumblebee.asp

I heard that using the DragonFly with iTunes will not be good because iTunes does not change the sample rate on the go. Any advice here? 

Cheers! Really looking to getting this. Looking like a solid device. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcusListens 

I heard that using the DragonFly with iTunes will not be good because iTunes does not change the sample rate on the go. Any advice here? 

Cheers! Really looking to getting this. Looking like a solid device. 

As far as I understand iTunes is really bad if you like quality audio output.  I could be wrong though, always open to that possibility .  

I use foobar with WASAPI.  My only frustration with foobar is I can't get it to sort by track number automatically.  I can force it by right clicking but that is a pain.  If anyone has a solution it would be greatly appreciated.

It's a great device, really enjoying it: solid sound and construction.

(Edited for grammar)

iTunes on its own is not great as an audio player. If you are using OSX, download the free version of Audirvana. This will also change the sample rates automatically (otherwise you can change it manually in Audio Midi on OSX).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keevs 

iTunes on its own is not great as an audio player. If you are using OSX, download the free version of Audirvana. This will also change the sample rates automatically (otherwise you can change it manually in Audio Midi on OSX).

Thanks a lot for recommending me Audirvana free! Just downloaded and will try it out later after I finish ripping some CDs. It's nice to know it reads ALAC too! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgiddonihah 

 

As far as I understand iTunes is really bad if you like quality audio output.  I could be wrong though, always open to that possibility .  

 

I use foobar with WASAPI.  My only frustration with foobar is I can't get it to sort by track number automatically.  I can force it by right clicking but that is a pain.  If anyone has a solution it would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's a great device, really enjoying it: solid sound and construction.

 

(Edited for grammar)

Well, being a Mac user with iPhone and iPod I pretty much had to stick with it. But now I'm thinking about moving away from iTunes and really considering about getting the DragonFly. I'm still waiting for my JH5 though. 

You guys have any idea if the DragonFly can work with the PS3?

Also, has anyone tried it with their JH5? I'm afraid it might be too powerful for it. Anyone?

Cheers!