AudioQuest DragonFly Red (Red) is rated
out of
5 by
75.
AudioQuest DragonFly Red (Red)
USB DAC/Headphone Amp
£169
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The highest quality DragonFly to date
The DragonFly Red uses the highest quality DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) ever used in a DragonFly, giving true audiophile sound quality. The 32-bit ESS 9016 chip is more usually found in high-end hi-fi equipment and boasts an astonishing signal to noise ratio, making it sound more precise and detailed than the DragonFly Black. Rather than using the Black's analogue volume control, it also deploys bit-perfect, digital volume. This reduces distortion still further, delivering an 'inky' black silence when the music demands.
Powers 'tricky' headphones
With a boost in output from 1.2V to 2.1V, the Red is far better at driving difficult headphones than the Black version. If you use larger headphones, with more powerful magnets, such as the Grado range or AudioQuest's own Nighthawks, then the Red model is ideal. The higher output gives effortless dynamics, a powerful bass and ability to make the music 'come to life'.
Lower power consumption - ideal for use with your smartphone or tablet
With lower power consumption than previous DragonFlys, the DragonFly Red is suitable for use with smartphones and tablets without undue battery use. Simply fit a USB adaptor to suit your device and connect up to an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet for a massive improvement in sound quality.
A sound upgrade for your Mac, PC or laptop
Whether you listen to music on your smartphone, tablet, Mac, PC or laptop, the audio quality can easily be improved. Whether you use headphones or have your device connected directly to your hi-fi, the DragonFly Red simply gives a huge improvement in sound quality. It bypasses the device's built-in DAC, instead passing sound through its own, high-end hi-fi quality chip.
Small package, big sound
Although tiny, the DragonFly is every bit as impressive as many full-size DACs. Asynchronous transfer and twin clocks ensure perfectly timed and controlled digital information enters the DAC, for a highly accurate and precise sound quality. Compared to a computer/smartphone/tablet's headphone output you'll notice a more dynamic sound with more detail and openness. In essence, the sound will simply be more life-like.
Supports multiple music file formats
Despite its tiny size, the DragonFly will play a wide variety of music files. Twin clocks ensure perfect playback of 44.1 kHz (CD quality), 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz. As a final neat touch, the DragonFly logo glows various colours to indicate the file frequency: green for CD (44.1 kHz), blue for 48 kHz, amber for 88.2 kHz and magenta for 96 kHz.
Use pretty much any headphones on almost any device and experience your music to its full potential - the DragonFly Red meets the highest expectations.
Read about the Audioquest DragonFly on the Richer Sounds Blog
Connectivity
Headphone Output
3.5mm
USB Input
1 x Type A for PC/MAC Needs adaptor for Smartphone use
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
2 years
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
12 x 62 x 19
Rated 3 out of
5
by
p389 from
Didn't really work for me
I purchased this to work with my new phone, Samsung A53, which doesn't have a jack socket. I was also hoping for a good improvement in sound quality.
I found the sound was difficult to control, and not amazingly better. The cost of the unit, along with extra leads, and I guess an App to control the sound, was in my opinion not worth it.
Richer sounds were, as always, very good and gave a full refund.
I have since been using an old DAC magic, which is much more user friendly
Date published: 2023-01-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
coxy130 from
AudioQuest DragonFly Red
i bought this to improve the sound quality of listening to music with my headphones from my PC, fantastic feels like a complete upgrade in sound quality so more rich and hearing subtle improvements i wish i purchased this a long time ago one happy customer
Date published: 2022-11-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
TAR77 from
Bought for my son. What a surprise!
I had thought Spotify sound quality was simply dreadful. Flat, lifeless, undynamic, fatiguing and 2-dimensional.
Then we bought one of these and experienced that rare thing, a revelation. Now Spotify comes very close indeed to a very decent compact disc player and the difference is not small. Truly astonishing and strongly recommended.
Date published: 2022-08-02
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Iscott77 from
Quality sound
I bought this item following all the positive reviews. The item was delivered on time, as usual, from Richer sounds but i was disappointed to see the box was crushed at both ends and the internal plastic tray containing the firefly was back to front and upside down. I got the feeling the item had either been returned or had been used for display purposes. Glad I wasn’t giving it as a present. Now, the positives, I am using the firefly red with an iPad and AKG reference headphones which are quite difficult to drive and I find the volume goes just loud enough. The sound quality however is beautiful, offering up extra, airy headroom and superb definition. I’m hearing details in my favourite tracks that I have never heard before. I would heartily recommend this item, especially if you are using good quality headphones. Just a pity about the packaging.
Date published: 2021-11-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
lakitu1982 from
Music is greatly improved on all devices
The DAC comes very well packed with a colourful box with specifications and a list of accessories, out of the box you will get the DAC and a leather carry case, you will need to buy an extra cable to use it with mobile devices, it works out of the box with USB devices.
Music is greatly improved on all devices, I used it on my MackBook Pro, the set up is very easy and it only takes a couple of minutes, most of my music is hight resolution MP3 at 320kpbs only a few FLACS, but with the MP3 files you can see a big different in sound, the sound it's much more detailed and louder. I use it with Sennheiser IE80 and Klipsch X11i, both sound amazing. Better to have some good headphones.
I use it with an iPhone 6 with the lightning connector, the USB camera adapter it works quite well, this cable is quite expensive but it's probably better get the Apple one as it works very well, most of cheap lightning cables don't work well with iPhones.
The DAC will improve all audio coming from the device/Phone regardless of what App you are using, so music from Spotify, Tidal and Even from Youtube will sound much better.
Date published: 2021-10-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Dabber from
Small in size, big in sound
Bought this in order to experience Apple music in Lossless & Hi-Res. The sound quality using the DragonFly Red along with my Dali io-6 (wired) is awesome! I’ve also tried this out whilst plugged into our Sony STR-DN1080, again the music playback quality was excellent. For some reason plugging the Dragonfly red into my 2013 MacBook wasn’t so great, so will need to look at settings again. However if plugged into either my iPad or iPhone works a treat.
Date published: 2021-08-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
chrisp64 from
Spot on for the price and size.
I'm using this with my desktop PC straight into a power amp and a pair of KEF LS50s. Good bit of kit for the money, streets ahead of the PCs horrible noisy on-board headphone output. I was after something small and discreet, which this is. I have heard (and own) better DACs but for the price and size I'd say this is pretty good value for money for my use case.
The only complaint I could have (I am fussy) is that the weight of a quality cable does pull on the DAC causing it to sag, however this is because of the orientation of the USB ports on my PC and a long heavy cable, easily rectified with a small piece of rubber under it to supports its weight. I guess a USB extension cable might be another way of getting around the problem.
Date published: 2021-08-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Bdaniels92 from
Great Product at a Reasonable Price
Bought this in order to start listening to music at higher fidelity on my mobile device. It's doing the job!
Date published: 2021-03-29
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