Dragonfly red - volume too loud

[claxbou]

Hi all,
I recently acquired a DF red and using it with a Meze 99 on an Android device, faced the "too low volume" problem with the original 1.06 firmware. I then upgraded to the last available firmware (1.07), and now face the "too loud volume" problem (the lower value is way too loud for a quiet listening..), and could not find a solution on forums.
Do someone had a chance to achieve a decent low volume in a way?
(quite disappointed by such poor Audioquest quality checks given product price...)
Thank you for your help !

 

[megabigeye]

Hi there,
I haven't used my DFR in a long time, but I don't recall ever having that problem.
You might try asking in the official Dragonfly thread.
Personally, I'd probably return it (if you still can) and get something else. The DFR was good for its price at the time, but there should be similar devices that cost less now.

 

[FlowLikeWater]

Hi there,
I haven't used my DFR in a long time, but I don't recall ever having that problem.
You might try asking in the official Dragonfly thread.
Personally, I'd probably return it (if you still can) and get something else. The DFR was good for its price at the time, but there should be similar devices that cost less now.

agreed, I believe the Lotoo Paw S1 is currently one of the best DACs on the market

or E1DA 9038s (which I have and thoroughly enjoy) if u prefer a more analytical sound

 

[claxbou]

Ok I thought the DFR was still a good product... Thank you for your suggestions, I'll have a look at these.

 

[catvsgrizzly]

Hey claxbou, a couple of people have had a similar situation.
I was using my dragonfly red with ibasso it00 iems, which have an impedence of 16 ohms. I could still hear audio at the lowest setting (when using USBPP or tidal in exclusive mode). Nothing overpowering but still there. I can get to about 30% volume before its too loud.
Also have a set of Lagoons which I hook up to the DFR, impedence of 20 ohms. Similar situation, still audible at the lowest setting (a little quiter) and get to 40% volume before its too loud.

Now a mate at Augon tried hooking up a pair of CFA mammoths to a dragonfly red. They have an impedence of 8 ohms and he has to keep it on the lowest setting or it already gets way too loud (gutted, I was wanting to get a pair). So yeah... dragonfly red doesn't play well with low impedence devices. I wasn't too impressed about it so I sent audioquest an email. This was their reply:
"Many IEMs were designed to be used with mobile devices which have a significantly lower output compared to a regular hi-fi component. Low impedance, sometimes as low as 9 ohms, and very high sensitivity, usually 100dB or more, makes it very easy for mobile devices to drive. Dragonfly Red, on the other hand, has an output of 2.1V, which allows it to drive regular headphones of up to 600 ohms and with medium sensitivity. Being able to drive some of the world’s best headphones allows Dragonfly to provide exceptional sound quality. Between the software’s own volume control and the computer’s (or phone’s) volume control, you should be able to find a comfortable listening level. If that still doesn’t help, consider using an inline attenuator.

I hope this helps."

Looks like meze 99 has an impedence of 32 ohms, so still relatively low. I hope it's not too bad and you're still enjoying them : ) unfortunately the DFR was made too powerful for low impedence iems/headphones

 

[CJG888]

Something like an IEMatch might help…

 

[catvsgrizzly]

Something like an IEMatch might help…

That looks amazing. Know if it retains audio quality well?

 

[CJG888]

That looks amazing. Know if it retains audio quality well?

I haven’t tried it myself, but I think there may even be a dedicated thread.

 

[megabigeye]

Hey claxbou, a couple of people have had a similar situation.
I was using my dragonfly red with ibasso it00 iems, which have an impedence of 16 ohms. I could still hear audio at the lowest setting (when using USBPP or tidal in exclusive mode). Nothing overpowering but still there. I can get to about 30% volume before its too loud.
Also have a set of Lagoons which I hook up to the DFR, impedence of 20 ohms. Similar situation, still audible at the lowest setting (a little quiter) and get to 40% volume before its too loud.

Now a mate at Augon tried hooking up a pair of CFA mammoths to a dragonfly red. They have an impedence of 8 ohms and he has to keep it on the lowest setting or it already gets way too loud (gutted, I was wanting to get a pair). So yeah... dragonfly red doesn't play well with low impedence devices. I wasn't too impressed about it so I sent audioquest an email. This was their reply:
"Many IEMs were designed to be used with mobile devices which have a significantly lower output compared to a regular hi-fi component. Low impedance, sometimes as low as 9 ohms, and very high sensitivity, usually 100dB or more, makes it very easy for mobile devices to drive. Dragonfly Red, on the other hand, has an output of 2.1V, which allows it to drive regular headphones of up to 600 ohms and with medium sensitivity. Being able to drive some of the world’s best headphones allows Dragonfly to provide exceptional sound quality. Between the software’s own volume control and the computer’s (or phone’s) volume control, you should be able to find a comfortable listening level. If that still doesn’t help, consider using an inline attenuator.

I hope this helps."

Looks like meze 99 has an impedence of 32 ohms, so still relatively low. I hope it's not too bad and you're still enjoying them : ) unfortunately the DFR was made too powerful for low impedence iems/headphones

Are you talking about using the DFR with USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP)?
If so, I believe you can reduce the gain through that app, though it's been a while since I've used it (use an iPhone now). If I recall, you have to make sure the app is not in bit perfect mode and then there is a gain/volume slider with the EQ that adjusts overall/maximum volume; you can then make fine adjustments as normal. You can also adjust the size of the volume steps, too, if that's a problem. Unfortunately my memory is a little fuzzy on all of this, so you might want to ask in the UAPP thread.

 

[catvsgrizzly]

That's a good way around it too, you can indeed lower the gain.