[DaBlakPill]

I'm not sure if my Dragonfly Cobalt is defective, but it seems to cause a ground loop with my iems. When I move my head around the humming noise sometimes gets quieter. This doesn't happen with my Dragonfly Red. Any of you guys experience this issue?

 

[Edyeded86]

Hey guys,

Has anyone had a chance to test this against a dedicated DAP? Im running music from AK SR25, any direct comparisons here??

 

[Bercanees]

Hi!

I have tried comparing the Cobalt with the AK SR25. The Cobalt is much better sounding though you get a full one stop solution with the SR25.

Comparing with AK SE200 with the latest multiple DAC -1x AK4499EQ + 2x ES9068AS

On the AK4499EQ output, the SE200 surpasses the SQ but quite a far margin. Didn’t try it with the ES output though but signature might be similar.

 

[Edyeded86]

Hi!

I have tried comparing the Cobalt with the AK SR25. The Cobalt is much better sounding though you get a full one stop solution with the SR25.

Comparing with AK SE200 with the latest multiple DAC -1x AK4499EQ + 2x ES9068AS

On the AK4499EQ output, the SE200 surpasses the SQ but quite a far margin. Didn’t try it with the ES output though but signature might be similar.

Hey thanks for the feedback.

Can you expand a little more on how the cobalt is better sounding please, and what do you mean sr25 is a one stop solutions?

Thanks again

 

[Bercanees]

Hi there

The SR25 can be referenced here:
https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/con...scg=CG232020&spos=2&tcg=&tpos=0&gcode=SC36040

The SR25 is a DAP - Digital Audio Player, hence why I mentioned it’s a “one stop solution” all in one. Unlike the Cobalt which is simply an external DAC, where your phone or Mac or computer is the player.

When I did the AB test, I realized that the Cobalt was much natural, with better staging and separation and detailed as compared to the SR25. It isn’t as “in your face”, forward as compared the SR25, which I felt was decent, but I preferred the overall SQ produced by the Cobalt as a whole.

The SR25 sounded a bit more musical as compared to the Cobalt, a bit tighter and condensed.

The SE200 with the AKM output was on a different league as it’s the same DAC used on the AK flagship SP2000. It was highly resolving, gave 3D imaging of the sound, exceptionally good layer separation and superb low noise. The SE200 is technically like a mini Sp2000 at 50% of the price.

 

[Bercanees]

Based on experience too, Cobalt performs better via Mac / Computer output rather than via phone. I have to push up the volume to 45% vs on my Mac using Roon, at 18/100.

 

[Edyeded86]

Hi there

The SR25 can be referenced here:
https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/con...scg=CG232020&spos=2&tcg=&tpos=0&gcode=SC36040

The SR25 is a DAP - Digital Audio Player, hence why I mentioned it’s a “one stop solution” all in one. Unlike the Cobalt which is simply an external DAC, where your phone or Mac or computer is the player.

When I did the AB test, I realized that the Cobalt was much natural, with better staging and separation and detailed as compared to the SR25. It isn’t as “in your face”, forward as compared the SR25, which I felt was decent, but I preferred the overall SQ produced by the Cobalt as a whole.

The SR25 sounded a bit more musical as compared to the Cobalt, a bit tighter and condensed.

The SE200 with the AKM output was on a different league as it’s the same DAC used on the AK flagship SP2000. It was highly resolving, gave 3D imaging of the sound, exceptionally good layer separation and superb low noise. The SE200 is technically like a mini Sp2000 at 50% of the price.

Amazing thanks you - this really helped.

Is the SE200 new?

 

[Bercanees]

Amazing thanks you - this really helped.

Is the SE200 new?

Yes, the AK SE200 is the first ever DAP to feature 2 different types of DAC in a single player - AKM and ESS Sabre.

If you are into DAPs, it’s highly recommended you give it a try. It’s good. I tried it in comparing it with the Sp2000 flagship and found it to be very close. For the price to quality ratio, it’s a steal.

You can reference it here:
https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/con...scg=CG231960&spos=1&tcg=&tpos=0&gcode=SC36100

 

[crazyhank]

Hi everyone, I have the cobalt and use it with my 64audio U12t and Nio. Every time I raise the volume past 75% on my iPhone, the Cobalt crashes. Any ideas? I read that it could be an impedance issue with these IEMs, but I have seen many people use the 64audio line with Cobalt online.

Btw, tried different phones, adapters, and cobalts. Same behavior.

Appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[a-LeXx]

Hi everyone, I have the cobalt and use it with my 64audio U12t and Nio. Every time I raise the volume past 75% on my iPhone, the Cobalt crashes. Any ideas? I read that it could be an impedance issue with these IEMs, but I have seen many people use the 64audio line with Cobalt online.

Btw, tried different phones, adapters, and cobalts. Same behavior.

Appreciate any advice. Thank you!

What do you mean by ‚crashes‘ ?

 

[Celamojo]

Might seem a bit silly but how does Cobalt compare with TempoTec SONATA HD PRO?

 

[Kal El]

Does anyone know if the new Earmen Sparrow is better thab ifi Hip Dac? I can't find comparison about. Thanks

 

[linknet]

Hey thanks for the feedback.

Can you expand a little more on how the cobalt is better sounding please, and what do you mean sr25 is a one stop solutions?

Thanks again

Hey guys,

Has anyone had a chance to test this against a dedicated DAP? Im running music from AK SR25, any direct comparisons here??

Hi,
My two cents...
Did some AB testing with Agnes Obel "The Curse". With the 3.5mm on the SR25 the Cobalt sound "more open and airy". With the 2.5mm the SR25 takes a lot more texture and punch. For me to be able to use a 2.5mm balanced with the SR25 is the main advantage over the Cobalt. Apart from this the Cobalt is a wonderful small and convenient device. I'm still using it on the go as i don't want to have another device with me (even a small one like the SR25). Home i use the SR25 balanced to immerge in the music with no distraction from my phone.

 

[crazyhank]

What do you mean by ‚crashes‘ ?

Sorry, missed your reply. It crashes by blinking and music cuts out. I found out that if I plug in power into the CCK 3 adapter, then it works better. iPhone 11 Pro Max, CCK 3 adapter, and tried many cobalts and many phones and adapters. Same identical behavior on all variations. Many forum posts on headphones.com too. No resolution though and Audioquest won't own it....

 

[a-LeXx]

Sorry, missed your reply. It crashes by blinking and music cuts out. I found out that if I plug in power into the CCK 3 adapter, then it works better. iPhone 11 Pro Max, CCK 3 adapter, and tried many cobalts and many phones and adapters. Same identical behavior on all variations. Many forum posts on headphones.com too. No resolution though and Audioquest won't own it....

Ok, in this case it would be a power consumption issue, probably nothing can be done to mitigate it so you‘d have to use an external power supply with CCK3.
Did not experience the issue myself, but I neither use CCK3, since I have an iPhone 7 as a dedicated DAP nor do I ever go past 75% on volume...
Cobalt is anyway a joke in terms of power consumption. The manufacturer was advertising better and more power effecient components, while in real life it‘s consuming between 50% and 100% more power than a DFR and is getting very warm to a touch after running for half an hour.
I have both a DFR and a DFC, and my power consumption figures are based upon daily usage, not some theoretical specs...