AudioQuest
AudioQuest - DragonFly Red (Unboxed)
Portable DAC & Amp
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2 days
Designed in the
USA
1 Year of
Warranty
2.1 Volts
Power Output
Headphone Zone Certified Unboxed Units
Unboxed units are as good as new products with the product's packaging being unavailable. These products give you the same satisfaction of new products - but at down-to-earth prices. Usually, the product's packaging may have gotten damaged in transit. Customers use a product once or twice and then return it with opened up packaging.
Customer Returns
Returned headphones are fully functional products that have left the warehouse and therefore can no longer be sold as new as their packaging has been opened. The product may have been used once or twice by the customer who returned it.
Transit Damages
Sometimes we receive headphones in damaged packaging due to shipping accidents. These are brand new headphones with cosmetic flaws on the packaging.
Save Upto 15%
Since you won't get the original packaging, we give you a good discount compared to a new headphone.
Professionally Inspected
A thorough inspection means you receive a 100% working headphone with no sound output issues.
Original Warranty
All unboxed headphones carry the same warranty period as a brand new headphone would.
Unbiased Customer Service
We have the same Headphone Zone customer support experience for Unboxed Products or new products.
Unchanged Replacement Policy
Received a defective Unboxed unit? Return it under our Replacement Policy.
ALL Original Accessories
The unboxed headphones itself comes with all original accessories.THE ULTIMATE PORTABLE DAC/AMP
The AudioQuest DragonFly Red has been developed in partnership with Gordon Rankin and Microchip Technologies. It has a better signal to noise ratio and consumes 77% lesser power than the original DragonFly thanks to the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller. Streamlength™ asynchronous USB code ensures low jitter, low resource load, minimal packet errors, world-class audio playback and reliable connectivity between the Dragonfly Red and any computing device with a USB output.
BIT PERFECT VOLUME CONTROLS TO ENHANCE THE ESS SABRE DAC CHIP
The AudioQuest DragonFly Red comes with a 32-bit 9016 ESS Sabre DAC chip that employs minimum-phase filtering for a naturally detailed, more authentic sound that can process up to 24-bit/96kHz audio. It employs a 64-bit, bit-perfect digital volume control that resides inside the DAC chip itself—an elegant and sophisticated implementation that ensures maximum fidelity, dynamic contrast, and low signal-to-noise ratio. You can use the source device's volume controls to adjust the DragonFly Red’s volume.
COMPATIBLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF HEADPHONE AND SOURCE DEVICES
This tiny DAC/AMP is compatible with a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models thanks to its ESS Sabre 9601 Amp. They're compatible with PCs, without needing any additional drivers. You can also use them with your smartphone and enjoy music from your favourite streaming app like Tidal, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube and more. The DragonFly Red's software can be upgraded with the free Windows or Mac desktop app.
SUPPORTS MQA FOR MASTER-QUALITY SOUND
The Dragonfly Red supports Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) playback. This is an award-winning audio technology that's meant to deliver the sound of the original master recording. MQA files are tiny and can easily be streamed using Tidal. 
| STATUS/SAMPLE RATES SUPPORTED (LED INDICATOR COLOR CODE) | Standby (Red), 44.1 kHz (Green), 48kHz (Blue), 88.2kHz (Amber), 96kHz (Magenta), MQA (Purple) |
| VOLUME CONTROL | 64-position, 64-bit, bit-perfect |
| OUTPUT VOLTAGE | 2.1 |
| HEADPHONE AMP | ESS Sabre 9601 |
| DAC CHIP | 32-bit ESS 9016 with minimum-phase fast roll-off filter |
| MICROCONTROLLER | Microchip PIC32MX |
| DIMENSIONS | 12 mm H x 19 mm W x 62 mm L |
| SUPPORTED INPUTS | 3.5 mm Stereo Jack |
| HEADPHONE IMPEDANCE | 10 Ohms & Higher |
| WEIGHT | 22g |
| WHAT YOU WILL GET | 1. AudioQuest DragonFly Red USB DAC |
| 2. Travel Pouch | |
| 3. Flight Manual | |
| WHAT YOU WILL NOT GET | 1. Original Packaging of AudioQuest DragonFly Red USB DAC |
AudioQuest: Extraordinary Audio Products since 1980
Founded in 1980, AudioQuest is popular for producing and selling a host of audio products and accessories including headphones, Digital-to-analog (DAP) converters, audio cables, power-conditioning products, phono cartridges and other audio accessories. Each AudioQuest product is designed to deliver extraordinary performance and value.
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The Perfect Blend of Quality and Style
AudioQuest offers a wide range of products and accessories from affordable to state of art products. Across this range, the one thing that remains constant is the blend of high-grade materials and sophisticated design. This allows AudioQuest to deliver clear and natural audio which sounds exceptional.
Makers of Critically Acclaimed Headphones
AudioQuest has produced the critically acclaimed NightHawk and NightOwl headphones along with award-winning DragonFly DACs. So be it headphones or DACs, rest assured of the high standard quality across the AudioQuest product range. AudioQuest is dedicated to promoting the pursuit of pleasure while respecting the pursuit of musical truth.
DragonFly is specifically designed to connect to external audio devices, such as headphones, powered desktop speakers, complete audio/video systems, and iOS and Android mobile devices.
Note: DragonFly v1.0 and DragonFly v1.2 are designed to work with computers and laptops only; they are not designed for use with iOS and Android mobile devices. However, all current-production DragonFly modelsóîBlack, Red, and Cobalt---re compatible with iOS and Android devices.
With all current-production models of AudioQuest's DragonFly USB DAC (Black, Red, Cobalt), music appreciation and exploration are limitless: Plug into an Apple or WindowsŚ¬ computer or connect to an iOSŚ¬ or Android mobile device. Play YouTube or Vimeo videos. Go hunting on Bandcamp or SoundCloud. Explore playlists and podcasts on Spotify, Pandora, or Deezer. Stream high-res audio from Tidal or Qobuz.
No matter the choice of sonic pleasure, DragonFly unravels the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable.
While all DragonFly models offer enough output to drive most headphones, DragonFly Black (1.2-volt output) comfortably drives most medium- to moderate-efficiency models and DragonFlys Red and Cobalt (2.1-volt output) easily drive even the lowest-efficiency models.
All current-production AudioQuest DragonFlys (Black, Red, and Cobalt) feature an MQA renderer that enables playback of MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. When connected to an MQA Core signal (within TIDAL Masters or Audirvana, for example), DragonFly's purple display indicates the unit is rendering an MQA stream or file.
macOS
iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro
Fortunately, aftermarket programs such as JRiver Media Center and Foobar2000 bypass the Windows "Hardware and Sound" application and allow native 88.2kHz decoding. For more information please visit www.jriver.com or www.foobar2000.org.
There are no reported audio issues with Windows 8.1.
Yes. DragonFly Black, Red, and Cobalt can be used with Apple iOS devices. An Apple Camera Adapter is required to connect DragonFly to an Apple Lightning device.
In our tests, Apple's Lightning-to-USB 3 Camera Adapter (with charging port) sounds better and is more reliable than Apple's less expensive Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter, while also providing the ability to charge during playback. Your mileage may vary. Some users prefer the size of the smaller adapter, while others prefer the performance of the larger adapter. We encourage experimentation.
When DragonFly (Black, Red, Cobalt) is connected to an iOS device using Apple's older Lightning to USB Camera Connection Kit, I can hear clicks and pops in the background of the music. What should I do? In some rare instances, the combination of an iOS device in conjunction with the standard CCK and DragonFly Black, Red, or Cobalt causes a clicking in the background of the music.
Neither we nor Apple have been able to determine why this is, but, in circumstances where this occurs, we've found that using Apple's Lightning-to-USB 3 Camera Adapter resolves the problem. In addition, this connector offers improved audio performance over the smaller unit and provides the ability to charge the attached iOS device while listening to music.
To verify that your Android device complies with isochronous USB audio, download and run USB Host Check.
In our early pre-production testing, we found that some Android devices (4.1 OS and newer) do not provide native support for audio over USB. If you find that your Android device (4.1 or newer) does not support audio over USB, we ask that you please contact the manufacturer of your device. To determine whether your device supports audio over USB, consult the user manual or visit the manufacturer's website.
Despite Android's support of USB audio output, there are still hardware manufacturers that do not completely adhere to the USB audio class specification. If you experience this, we recommend the USB Audio Player Pro application.
UAPP includes its own USB audio device driver that is compliant with the USB Organization's USB Audio Host Mode Class specification. Further, it is compatible with various audio formats and will manage music on both the Android's internal memory and inserted SD cards. With the phone connected to the Wi-Fi network, this application can also find and connect to DLNA servers/libraries. USB Audio Player PRO Version 5 now supports audio from Google Music, Tidal (including Tidal Masters), Qobuz, and Shoutcast, and includes an MQA Core Decoder, which will unfold MQA streams from 44.1/48kHz to 88.2/96 kHz and can be combined with DragonFly for further unfolding of even higher sample rates.
When using DragonFly with headphones, powered speakers, or a power amplifier, it functions in variable output mode, and we recommend the following steps:
DragonFly Black is equipped with a 64-step analog volume control. With DragonFly Black connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host's system volume control will, through proxy, control the DragonFly Black's onboard volume. This ensures maximum resolution and the highest sound quality, regardless of volume setting.
In DragonFly Red and Cobalt, we were able to employ a highly sophisticated 64-step, 64-bit, bit-perfect digital volume control. It works similarly: With DragonFly Red/Cobalt connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host's system volume control will, through proxy, control the DragonFly's onboard volume. Here again, we've optimized the volume control to ensure maximum resolution and the highest sound quality, regardless of volume setting.
You can also use DragonFly as a traditional fixed-output source component (such as a CD player, DVD player, or Blu-ray player), connected to a standard input on a receiver or preamplifier. When used in this manner, DragonFly functions in fixed output mode, which allows the overall volume level to be adjusted with the audio/video system's master volume control. For this application, both the music player's volume control and the computer's main (operating system) volume level should be set to maximum.
For the best sound quality, the computer should be configured so that it sends music and audio data to DragonFly that matches the native rate of the music. For example, since all CDs use a sample rate of 44.1kHz, 44.1kHz tends to be the "native rate" of most digital music. In most cases, for most people, this will be the best sample rate to choose.
Choosing a sample rate that is higher than the native rate of a music file will convert the audio data using mathematical approximations that can potentially decrease the sound quality.
Conversely, if you have high-resolution music files, configuring your computer for 44.1kHz (or any other lower sample rate) will cause the computer to down-sample your music to a lower resolution.
When possible, always configure the computer to output the native sample rate of the music you are listening to. Many music player software suites on the market manage this process for you.
By selecting sample rates that are directly divisible, the computer avoids having to do sonically degrading, complex math in its conversions, and allows DragonFly to sound its best.
Stand-alone media players (for Apple and Windows)
For any technical support or questions regarding the functionality or use of these recommended playback applications, please contact the manufacturer. AudioQuest cannot provide technical support for any of these recommended playback applications.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.
While repeatedly plugging and unplugging DragonFly will not affect its lifespan or reliability, in general we have found that DACs measure and sound better after being left on for at least 24 hours.
However, because some of JitterBug's filtering is included in DragonFly Cobalt, a JitterBug is not necessary and not recommended with mobile devices or when only one USB port is available. When using Cobalt, you can still optimize the digital audio from a computer, car stereo, or other hardware by adding a JitterBug (in parallel only) into a different USB port.
1 Year Warranty
Don't sweat it, this AudioQuest - DragonFly Red (Unboxed) comes with a warranty
from AudioQuest that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about AudioQuest's warranty in India.
PRODUCT DESIGN WINNER
The Absolute Sound
Mar, 2020
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Stereophile
Mar, 2019
PRODUCT DESIGN WINNER
The Absolute Sound
Mar, 2018
EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD
Sound & Vision
Dec, 2016
“If Headfonia would hand out medals, the DFR would surely get one it’s that nice.I seriously doubt there are better DAC/Amp combinations in this price category and especially in such a small package.”
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"The DFR is a brilliant little DAC that can drive almost any headphone with awesome sound quality. The sound-signature is very natural and smooth with amazing soundstage depth and detail retrival."
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"A serious headphone enthusiasts should go out of their way to try the AudioQuest DragonFly Red—a still-affordable product that combines superb sound with equally superb musicality"
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"If you’re unconcerned by that slightly flaky finish (and who buys a USB stick-styled DAC for its aesthetic properties?), you can consider the DragonFly Red a pretty perfect computer music upgrade."
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"In my experience, there are few things in hi-fi that are as simple to use, sound as good and cost as little as the USB-powered Dragonfly Red DAC."
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"AudioQuest's current pair of DragonFly models is the third generation of the critically acclaimed DragonFly series, with its big change being higher efficiency allowing for smartphone compatibility."
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"Dragonfly Red are astoundingly portable, and enhance the sound off of your phone or computer. In their price points, both offer grip and clarity. "
Read MoreCustomer Reviews
Made a significant improvement to the listening experience on my pair of Shure earphones. Way better contrast and spacing of multiple sounds and textures in all genres of music. Everything sounds tighter and there's less listening fatigue even at higher volumes. I love the handy and portable size of this DAC and the build quality is pretty good. The emblem that lights up is a really nice touch. I only wish there was a variant with a lightning port to make it easy to connect to iPhones directly. I suppose for now an add-on cable will have to do.
I got this device in June, however, after just two months of use, device has ‘literally’ opened up. I am not sure whether I will be able to claim much as it says they will cover manufacturing defect only. I am not sure what to make out of it though. Since it’s still working, I might probably tape it up and continue to use.
I have the Dacamp L1 and Chord Mojo already. I needed a very portable DAC for On-the-go. I browsed a lot on the various options and decided to take the plunge with the Dragonfly Red for sheer convenience without the dismal issue of a drained battery when you most need it. And also so conveniently connected to the transport device. It Drives all the headphones well except the most power hungry ones. The sound is crystal clear. Deep bass, Nice Mids and Good Treble reproduction in clarity. I have tried it with V-Moda Zn, 1More Quad Driver, Audeze iSine10, AT M-50X, and sounds phenomenal in all cases. I haven't of course tried it with very high impedance Cans. Overall a very portable and a scintillating DAC AMP. If you're contemplating buying one, please do not hesitate. A little cheaper option would be the Ultrasone NAOS. These are two of the best in-line DACAMPs. Atleast that I have used. The Mojo and L1 are in a different league but then you are also paying more and these are heavy in the hand considering the stacking. Any whichever way you go, Good Listening!!!!
I have used Chord Mojo earlier which is best in class. though DragonFly Red does match expectations.
Looks and Build:
as far as look or the design of this goes there is literally nothing worth mentioning I won't even add a pic. It's coating in glossy red almost like a Hotwheels the lighting system is simple and it's about the size USB from the year 2002, I mean its the size of a small fevistick.
The only problem I have is the cap is too tight for its own good and scratches the outside of USB itself.
Usage: Desktop - good but if u are a hardcore desktop guy buy a non-portable
option, really or else it's awesome
Laptop - YES just YES it been made for u laptop users buy it.
Mobile - U can, but honestly don't but a BT device extra cables on
phones aren't worth it.
Sound- If u have used a desktop amp/DAC this thing looks ridiculous no matter how high the critics praise it. But my god idk how but this. This dongle of an amp/DAC can knock some way pricier models off the shelf. The critics were right at least for this one. I won't go to sound signature and stuff I can find it on the net. But know this that this takes some time to burn in as a headphone does idk why (might be just my PC) but the first 2 days I used it I was abt to return it but suddenly in between my listening session on the third day it just came to life and the difference was clear everything was better from the sound stage to clarity and imaging.
To note: if u are a laptop gamer looking for an amp/DAC its a good option if u are willing to use a splitter or buy a mic. As it has NO AUDIO INPUT.
when I insert this little dragonfly in the USB port it's showing RED color LED. Then, the LED light is always blue in color while playing different kinds of sample-rated songs (standard, 44kHz, 48kHz, 88kHz, 96kHz). According to the product, each color defines a particular quality of music. In addition to that really can't hear the difference between with or without this DAC.
Hey, we are extremely sorry for the bitter experience you had to go through. We have received your return request and it shall be approved shortly.
I had bought the Audio Quest Dragonfly Red because I wasn't able to drive my 250-ohm Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro headphones from my mobile phones (Nokia 7 Plus / Asus Zenfone 2) as well as my laptop and desktop. I have other headphones (Sennheiser HD 502, a Sony Wireless, Grado SR-80 and Senheiser HD-559) which have I have no problems listening with. However, in case of the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro, the volume output was too little. Doing some research I settled upon the Dragonfly Red, and I was looking forward to using it. However, after it arrived I tested it with a variety of sources - the two mobile phones, plus the laptop and desktop and I found that it made little to no difference in the volume output while listening to the DT-990s. In one case the volume actually dropped after using the Dragonfly! I am now wondering whether I should return the Dragonfly and ask for a refund.
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