T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

The AudioQuest Dragonfly Takes Flight

John Atkinson  |  Jun 8, 2012

This bijoux little asynchronous USB DAC ($249), which uses an ESS Sabre DAC and Gordon Rankin's Streamlength code, made its public debut at Newport Beach. It was being demmed in one of retailer Optimal Enchantment's rooms with Audio Research amplification and Vandersteen Treo speakers. Add a PC or Mac, a 1m 3.5mm–dual-RCA Evergreen cable from AudioQuest ($29) and you're in business.

In a private dem, I auditioned the difference made by substituting an AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable ($35) for Apple's ubiquitous white cable. Oh my! Given that the standard iPod cable costs $25 as a replacement, the extra $10 buys you so much more music, it was scary.

COMMENTS
Stephen Scharf's picture
Submitted by Stephen Scharf on June 8, 2012 - 8:48pm

I've been waitin' for this puppy for 6 months! Thanks for the tip, John! smiley

audio_elf's picture
Submitted by audio_elf on September 19, 2012 - 2:27am

John, you say "In a private dem, I auditioned the difference made by substituting an AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable ($35) for Apple's ubiquitous white cable. Oh my! Given that the standard iPod cable costs $25 as a replacement, the extra $10 buys you so much more music, it was scary."

May I ask what the iPod was connecting?  As far as I'm aware the Dragonfly DAC connects direct to a computer via USB and is totally incompatible with an iPod.

Sorry I just can't see any link between this comment and the Dragonfly DAC.

Eloise

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