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In 1982, when moving-coil phono cartridges were gaining in popularity among audio perfectionists, the cable specialists at AudioQuest entered the source-component market with their first-ever phono cartridge, the AQ 404. Introduced at a price of $225, the 404 cost significantly less than most other perfectionist-quality MC pickups, and it had the advantage of high (2.5mV) output: a then-novel distinction that allowed the 404 owner to avoid the extra expense of a step-up transformer or additional active gain stage. More to the point, the AudioQuest 404 won almost universally positive reviews,…
Another telling comparison between the old and new Blacks was when I listened to Nikolai Lugansky's recording of Chopin's Prelude 15 in D-flat (AIFF from CD, Erato 0927-42836-2). This recording sounded impressive through the original DragonFly. I enjoyed it well enough through the Black, which offered a clear window on Lugansky's crisp technique and brisk tempos, but the new DAC also sounded slightly bass-light—especially during the ominous portion in D-flat minor. I wondered if the leaner bass was a byproduct of the Black's lower level, and guessed that the old and new Black DACs might…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Portable, USB-powered digital-to-analog converters. Sampling rates supported: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz. Digital input: USB Type A, male plug (hardwired). Analog output: three-conductor, 3.5mm phone jack. Maximum output voltages: DragonFly Black (v1.5), 1.2V RMS; DragonFly Red (v1.0), 2.1V RMS.
Dimensions: (both) 2.4" (62mm) L by 0.75" (19mm) W by 0.5" (12mm) D. Weight: 0.77oz (22gm).
Serial numbers of units reviewed: N/A.
Prices: DragonFly Black, $99; DragonFly Red, $199. Approximate number of dealers: 1457. Warranty: 1 year.
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Stereophile and Music Hall Audio share a long mutual history. Like most relationships, it's had its ups and downs; unlike most relationships, this one is well documented—in retired writer Sam Tellig's much-loved "Audio Cheapskate" and "Sam's Space" columns, and Music Hall Audio proprietor Roy Hall's responses in "Manufacturers' Comments." I always found Sam and Roy's gentlemanly brawling to be good, clean, if occasionally uncomfortable fun—like the touchy rapport between a gregarious dog and a rascally cat forced to live under the same roof: A truce may have been called, but don't expect…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; Abis SA1.2, EMT 997 tonearms; EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15, Shindo Laboratory SPU pickup heads; Denon DL 103 cartridge.
Digital Sources: Original AudioQuest DragonFly, Halide Designs DAC HD USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer running Audirvana Plus 1.5.12; Apple iPhone 6 Plus smartphone; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T2 step-up transformer, Shindo Laboratory Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Laboratory Corton-Charlemagne (monoblocks) & Haut-…
Off the mark, soundstages were generally wide and clear. Tonality sounded dark, and images were small and recessed, with individual instruments clustered together and of almost teeny stature. Voices sounded one-dimensional.
Listening #2: the Goldring Elite
The Ortofon 2M Bronze is an admirable budget cartridge, but in my system its deficits were soon clear. I mused that the 2M Bronze was preventing the MMF-7.3 from revealing its true nature. Like the Ortofon Quintet Bronze I reviewed for a different publication, the 2M Bronze had tonal and spatial problems that prevented a true…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the AudioQuest DragonFly Red and Black with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I performed a full set of tests on both converters with WAV and AIFF test-tone files sourced from an iPad 2 with a 30-pin-to-USB "camera connection kit" adapter. I then repeated some of the testing, playing the same files with Pure Music 3.0 on my MacBook Pro running on battery power, and on my iPhone 6 using a Lightning-to-USB adapter. AudioQuest's Stephen Mejias warned me that the DragonFlys' rejection of jitter would be optimized after…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Turntable and tonearm. Motor: DC synchronous with electronic speed change. Speeds: 331/3, 45rpm. Speed deviation: ±0.06%. Wow & flutter: ±0.10%. Rumble: –73dB. Platter: 11.93" (303mm) diameter, 22.6oz (641gm). Power supply: 115V/60Hz or 230V/50Hz. Power connection: 100–240V, 50 or 60Hz. Standby power consumption: 1W. Tonearm: carbon-fiber armtube, 9.055" (230mm) effective length. Weight w/o counterweight: 8.8oz (250gm). Effective mass: 0.3oz (8.5gm). Overhang: 0.71" (18mm). Compatible cartridge weights: 0.07–0.56oz (2.0–16.0gm).
Dimensions:…
Manufacturer's Comment
Editor: We greatly appreciate the time and effort that John Atkinson and Art Dudley have put into becoming intimately familiar with our latest DragonFlys. Our goal was to surpass versions 1.0 and 1.2 in every meaningful way, reaching new levels of performance and value through the successful implementation of sophisticated technology, enabling compatibility with mobile devices, and providing software upgradability.
In direct comparisons against the original DragonFly, Art preferred the Black for its "superior musical incisiveness: clearer pitch…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S turntable & Stogi tonearm; Goldring Elite MC, Denon DL-103 cartridges.
Digital Sources: Apple MacBook computer, Halide DAC HD, PS Audio NuWave DAC, Western Digital T2 Mirror Drive (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 moving-coil step-up transformer, Shindo Laboratory Allegro preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Integrated Amplifier: Unison Research Unico Primo.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93, Elac B6, Snell Type J/II.
Cables: Interconnect: Shindo Laboratory…