AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter -

AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt - New  Includes DragonTail A to C Adapter & Carry Pouch  Authorized Dealer Since 1980 - Factory Warranty Applies  Retail Price $349.95 =================================================== Check out our playlist on QOBUZ or TIDAL . You may discover artists that you aren’t familiar with, or some you’ve forgotten. Search for HCM Audio in the playlist section on either service. ===================================================
Meet Cobalt: The Most Beautiful-Sounding DragonFly Yet!
DragonFly Cobalt, our new flagship DAC, 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.
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. Review: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC Headphone Amplifier
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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 a form-fitting DragonTail female USB-A to male USB-C Adaptor.

All DragonTails use AQ's Carbon-level USB cable.

AUDIOQUEST, GORDON RANKIN: A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP
Like all previous DragonFly 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. Streamlength and monoClock are registered trademarks of Wavelength Audio, ltd.
WHY THE "SLOW ROLL...?"
Cobalt employs ESS's new flagship ES9038Q2M DAC chip. While the chips used in DragonFlys Black and Red are unbeatable for the price, the minimum-phase slow roll-off filter in the 9038 results in naturally expressive sound that is always emotionally engaging and never fatiguing—a beautiful combination of warmth and detail that we find equally exciting and soothing.
KILLING THE NOISE
In Cobalt, we've taken what we've learned from our recent research and development in noise dissipation to employ power-supply filtering specifically designed to dramatically reduce the increasingly prevalent noise from WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular signals. Successfully combating this noise is absolutely crucial to the preservation of the lowest-level musical details, particularly when it comes to high-res audio—and especially when applied to a portable-audio device such as DragonFly.
BIT-PERFECT VOLUME CONTROL AND 2.1-VOLT OUTPUT
Cobalt features the same ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp and bit-perfect volume control that give DragonFly Red its unique combination of power and grip over the music. This solution ensures maximum fidelity, thrilling dynamic contrast, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The 2.1-volt output makes Cobalt and Red compatible with a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models.
FIRMWARE UPGRADEABLE
DragonFlys Black, Red, and Cobalt are firmware upgradeable via our free Desktop Device Manager. In today's fast-paced digital world, longevity in a hi-fi component is increasingly rare—at any price. AudioQuest believes that today's digital devices should evolve as technology itself evolves, thereby delivering musical pleasure for many years to come. Our Desktop Device Manager will also allow you to identify your DragonFly's serial number and software version to ensure that the device is up to date.
BEAUTIFUL SOUND IN A SMALLER PACKAGE... AND NOW WITH A TAIL
All this goodness is packed into a sleek new case that measures just 2.26" x 0.73" x 0.47" (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and even a bit more pocket-friendly.
Finally, to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports, DragonFly Cobalt comes with AudioQuest's USB-A to USB-C adaptor. AudioQuest Product Warranty for the United States: AudioQuest products are manufactured to exacting standards and are subject to rigorous quality control. However, if a manufacturing defect is found in any cable, connector, or factory assembled product, AudioQuest’s non-transferable original-owner limited lifetime warranty has you covered for any cable, connector, or factory assembled product purchased through an authorized AudioQuest US dealer. At its option, AudioQuest will repair or replace any defective cable, connector, or factory assembled product that has not been abused, for the lifetime of the product. Proof of original purchase is required. For all other products, AudioQuest provides a limited, non-transferable, one-year warranty to original owners who purchased their product through an authorized AudioQuest dealer in the United States. At its option, AudioQuest will repair or replace any defective product that has not been abused, for up to one year from the original date of purchase. Proof of original purchase is required. Cables not terminated by AudioQuest that require service may be returned to AudioQuest with prior authorization and repaired for a fee. This warranty is not an upgrade program for AudioQuest HDMI cables that were designed to meet previous generations of HDMI specifications. Current AudioQuest models are designed to meet HDMI 2.0 (18Gbps) or HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps). All generations of HDMI cable will provide some, but not all, of the features made possible by HDMI 2.0 and 2.1. All generations of HDMI cable are backwards compatible—they provide all the capabilities of previous generations. To experience the audio/video benefits made possible by the latest HDMI 2.1 hardware, an HDMI cable must meet HDMI specifications, specifically an FRL-enabled bandwidth of 48Gbps. This warranty is valid in the United States only. For warranty policies in other countries, please contact your local dealer or distributor. Limitations and Conditions This warranty is subject to the following limitations and conditions: The unit will not be covered under the warranty if: • It has been altered or modified in any way. • It has been damaged due to misuse,negligence,accident or improper operation. • It has been subjected to water damage, or extremes of humidity or temperature. • It has been purchased from an unauthorized dealer, or unauthorized repair or service has been performed. For repairs and returns: • A request for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number must be made in writing or via phone to AudioQuest. • A return address and phone number must be included. • Returned product must be accompanied by the RMA number, a written description of the defect or issue, and a photocopy of the original purchase receipt. • Customer is responsible for paying shipping charges to AudioQuest. • If the product is found to be out of warranty, as in the conditions specified above, the customer will be given the option to pay for the repairs or replacement, or to have the unit returned to them. Limited to original purchaser: • This Warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser and shall not be transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product. Warranty Outside the USA, Netherlands, Germany or the UK AudioQuest has authorized distributors in many countries of the world. In each country, the authorized distributor or dealer thereof has accepted the responsibility for warranty of products sold in their respective countries. Warranty service should normally be obtained from the authorized distributor or dealer from whom you purchased your product. In the unlikely event of service required beyond the capability of the distributor, AudioQuest will fulfill the conditions of the warranty. Such product must be returned at the owner’s expense to AudioQuest, together with a photocopy of the bill of sale for that product, a detailed description of the problem, and any information necessary for return shipment. AudioQuest makes no other express warranty of any kind whatsoever. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, exceeding the specific provisions of this warranty are hereby disclaimed and excluded from this warranty. No representative or other person is authorized to assume for AudioQuest any liability except as stated in this warranty. ©2022 AudioQuest

Returns Accepted for this item if it's within 14 Days