AudioQuest Dragonfly Black – USB DAC

Improved Circuitry from Version 1 Plugs Into an Available USB Port Provides Improved Sound Quality 32-Bit ESS Sabre Conversion Chip 1/8Jack Outputs Directly to Headphones Resolutions up to 24-Bit / 96 kHz Can Also Feed Preamp or Power Amp Supports Mac Windows iOS Android. The DragonFly Black from AudioQuest is a flash drive-sized Digital Audio Converter DAC preamplifier and headphone amplifier that connects to a USB port. It features a 32-bit ESS Sabre conversion chip that bypasses the device’s sound card to deliver higher quality sound from your Mac Windows iOS or Android device use with mobile devices requires optional adapters. Compared to earlier models the Black version has improved circuitry between the DAC chip and analog output as well as a fortified power supply. Its 1/8 3.5mm stereo output can connect a set of headphones or allow patching into a larger audio system. The DragonFly Black can accept audio files ranging from MP3s and CD-standard 16-bit / 44.1 kHz L-PCMs to higher resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz formats. Using USB protocol DragonFly commands the timing of the audio data transfer dramatically reducing errors. DragonFly Black employs a unique clock system called a Hybrid-PLL. While not discrete the Hybrid-PLL performs equal to or better than many discrete clock systems. A smart LED indicator on the DragonFly shows the resolution and status of the incoming signal. Additionally DragonFly’s analog circuits are direct-coupled from the ESS converter chip’s output avoiding the need for any extraneous components in the signal path.