The S3 Pros main flaw is that its design seems fragile. The former is a big plus. The design doesnt allow for much strain relief on the cable, so we worry that it might eventually fail. We didnt find anything distinctive in the character of its sound, which is a good thing. The 2.1-volt output makes Cobalt and Red compatible with a wide range of headphones, including power-hungry, low-efficiency models. The Hip-dac2 (which replaces the original Hip-dac, a former pick in this guide) offers two big advantages over our smaller picks. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Lauren earned a bachelors degree in both music performance and audio production, and she spent several years in and out of top recording studios as a radio engineer and voice actor. What Hi-Fi? The XBass button boosts the bass, a feature that some people will enjoy even if we didnt. It offers a lot of power380 mW into 32 ohmsbut its impractical for portable use. This headphone amp is missing some features that audiophiles may look for, such as balanced audio output and support for the MQA audio format (more on this below)but we dont think those features are essential at this price. Connecting to an iOS device requires the purchase of a Lightning-to-USB adapter. The EarMen Eagle packs impressive power into a super-compact, affordable design, but it lacks some audiophile-oriented features like MQA support and balanced audio output. JDS Labs C5D: The C5D truly surprisedand disappointedour panel. Electrically, the effect of the switcher was approximately the same as connecting a 1-foot extension to a headphones cord. You will receive a verification email shortly. Most notable is its omission of support for MQA, a controversial format used on the Tidal streaming service that offers better-than-CD resolution but also uses some degree of data compression. Every device that plays digital music files has a DAC built in, but the ones included with smartphones, tablets, and computers dont offer the same audio quality as youll find with most any dedicated DAC. I am a member of the Audio Engineering Society, and I own a full suite of lab measurement gear for testing audio products. But I carried the S3 Pro in my pocket for two weeks, using it during my daily dog walks, and it showed no signs of wear. EarMen Sparrow: Technically, this little amp is impressive, measuring 123.7 mW into 32 ohms from its unbalanced output and 153.7 mW from its 4.4 mm balanced output. We connected each one to the two most difficult-to-drive headphones we had on hand: the HiFiMan HE6se (rated at 83.5 dB sensitivity but reaching just 79.2 dB in my measurements) and the 600-ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT 880. In addition, the Eagle lacks an internal battery and must get its power from your mobile device, but our tests showed that the battery drain is not significant. It was the only model in our brand-concealed tests that our panel singled out as actively disliking. In that time, I have conducted more brand-concealed listening tests than any other audio journalist in North America (and probably the whole world) while evaluating a few thousand speakers, amplifiers, and other types of audio equipment. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. The Cobalt draws its power from the device its plugged into, which means it doesnt have a battery that requires charging before you use it. I then connected each headphone amp to the Pixel 4a, connected the headphones to the amp, and matched the volume to the original playback volume of the phone, using a GRAS 43AG ear-and-cheek simulator and the sound-pressure level meter built into the Room EQ Wizard PC app. Audiophile headphones focus on delivering the best sound quality, period. It offers loads of power for the price (124.9 mW into 32 ohms), but we read reports of intermittent connectionsand we experienced the same problem ourselves. To do this, I set up my custom-built switcher, which enabled us to have four amps set up with four computers as sources and allowed each listener to compare the different amps without knowing their identities. AudioQuest claims 1.2 volts or 4.5 mW, which is really more suitable for efficient earbuds. In two separate tests, the S3 Pro was the only amp that Lauren singled out for comment, praising it for seeming to have a little more dexterity in the bass than the other under-$100 models. I also ran the test once more with the volume boosted 6 decibelsa typical volume increase that listeners using somewhat inefficient audiophile headphones would probably want. We were able to hear a distinct difference between the i1 and the Apple devices, but our panel said it was a lateral move: The i1 definitely sounded flatter, both in the frequency-response sense and in the spatial sense. AudioQuest DragonFly Black: The sound of the DragonFly Black was nearly identical to that of the more expensive DragonFly Redwhich is to say, great. Despite its small size, the EarMen Eagle has enough power to get optimum performance from the majority of hard-to-drive audiophile headphones. These DACs proved for once and for all that convenience and performance need no longer be mutually exclusive. Cobalt features the same ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp and bit-perfect volume control that give DragonFly Red its unique combination of power and grip over the music. I have been writing about audio professionally since 1989. With a Windows machine, youll have to access the Hardware and Sound control panel and dig into the advanced settings to set your playback sample rate. The S3 Pro weighs just a quarter of an ounce, so its like having a couple of extra coins in your pocket. Most importantly, DragonFly is designed to honor the music you already own and love. Wireless headphones are good for walking the dog, commuting to the office or working out at the gym. Output in our tests was pretty impressive at 58.3 mW into 32 ohms from the unbalanced output and 120.2 mW from the balanced output. Your mileage may vary. But for higher-impedance headphones above 250 ohms, you may discover that you dont have enough volume. We love its integral, rubbery USB-C cable, and it includes MQA support. The most substantial upgrade, though, is only evident when you plug the DragonFly Cobalt in; its in the performance. While DragonFly Black uses a high-quality headphone amp and analog volume control, DragonFly Red includes a more advanced ESS headphone amp and a bit-perfect digital volume control that resides on the 9016 DAC chip itselfa sophisticated implementation that gives Red a unique combination of power and grip over the music. Though its no sonic upgrade, if you just need a really cheap amp/DAC, this one will do. However, the packaging for the iFi Hip-dac2, the Hidizs S3 Pro, and the THX Onyx is all labeled as recyclable. From the balanced output, it produced 246.1 milliwatts into 32 ohms, 37.7 mW into 250 ohms, and 15.7 mW into 600 ohms. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. It also can pass the sound from your headphones or earphones microphone through to your phone, so you can take phone calls while using the Onyx. For reference, the World Health Organization recommends that the equivalent continuous sound level (or Leq) should be kept below 70 dBA for music played through headphones or limited to one hour at 85 dBA. TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. The Hip-dac2 has both balanced and unbalanced audio outputs, and the balanced output has a bit more power, so it may produce slightly better sound. However, with the more typical R&B, rock, and pop mixes we played, the Eagle played plenty loud enough through the HE6se. Finally, to easily accommodate the increasing number of electronic devices that feature USB-C ports, DragonFly Cobalt comes with AudioQuest's USB-A to USB-C adaptor. Click here to learn more about how MQA works. In today's fast-paced digital world, longevity in a hi-fi component is increasingly rareat any price. AudioQuest believes that today's digital devices should evolve as technology itself evolves, thereby delivering musical pleasure for many years to come. Ikko Zerda ITM01: This unusual amp has a magnetically attached cable connection that requires a proprietary cable. First, it has the power to drive almost any pair of headphones to ample listening levels with any music recording. But then along came the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt. The Hip-dac2 can handle standard digital audio in resolutions up to 32 bits/384 kilohertz (far above the typical max of 24 bits/192 kilohertz from the best streaming services), and it also handles the relatively uncommon DSD and DXD download formats. This solution ensures maximum fidelity, thrilling dynamic contrast, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. There are a couple of practical improvements too, namely the 10 per cent smaller enclosure and included DragonTail USB-A (female) to USB-C (male) adaptor for use with the growing number of electronics with connectivity for the latter. Explore playlists on Spotify or Pandora. Qobuz streams and downloads music in bit-perfect FLAC, the most widely used format for mastering and archiving, at resolutions of up to 24-bit/192kHz. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. No matter the choice of musical pleasure, DragonFly delivers beautiful sound, unraveling the emotional expression and nuance that makes music and movies so enjoyable. Dragonfly's Black, Red, and Cobalt are firmware upgradeable via our free Desktop Device Manager. Maybe, but even if you can, its unlikely to make or break a batch of muffins, and theres no way to know which batch a certain taster will prefer. The Eagle topped out at 79.1 milliwatts into 32 ohms, in contrast to 46 mW for the DragonFly Red (and just 29.4 mW when we held the maximum allowed distortion to 0.5%). For serious audio enthusiasts who need, or just want, more power, the iFi Hip-dac2 is an ideal choice for a portable headphone amp. Lauren likened the experience of comparing amp/DACs to tasting two batches of muffins: Say one batch has 1/16 teaspoon more salt in it than the other. This large headphone amp is almost three times as powerful as our top pick and runs on a built-in rechargeable battery, but it feels almost like carrying an extra phone with you. All four computers ran the same software (foobar2000) and had the same digital music files (AAC, MP3, CD-quality, and high-res). Click here to download the latest Device Manager available for your operating system. Darko.Audio Studio.Raydianze.com Web-Design. Most headphones are rated to deliver somewhere around 100 dB from a 1 mW signal, which is pretty loud. We encountered a few amp/DACs that our panelists didnt like, and we recommend skipping the following models even if theyre available at a discount: Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter: Producing just 3 mW of power into 32 ohms, and less than 0.05 mW into higher-impedance loads, Apples dongle-type amp/DAC is only about as good as the amps built into smartphones. The tests weve done for this guide are the most complex evaluations our audio team has conducted to date. Click here to learn more about how Qobuz works. The top panel has a volume knob/power switch and two headphone outputs: a standard -inch (3.5 mm) jack and a 4.4 mm Pentaconn jack for a balanced connection, with electrically separate feeds for the left and right channels. At a typical price under $20, the A8195 is a good deal. Surprisingly, the MacBook Pro and iPad Mini, through their built-in headphone jacks, and the iPhone 7, through its included headphone dongle, sounded nearly identical with the volume matched. Read our AudioQuest DragonFly Black review. Its integrated USB-A plug lets it connect directly to many computers, and an adapter cable allows it to connect to devices with USB-C output. Note that in amplifiers, doubling the power may seem impressive, but it yields only a 3-decibel increase in volumeabout three clicks on a typical car-stereo volume controlwhich is noticeable but not dramatic. But the DragonFly Black is less powerful than the Red. In our listening tests, the Eagle sounded as good as any other amp, including models priced more than twice as much. Just connect an adapter (more on that in a moment) to plug the DAC into an audio source, plug your headphones into the Cobalt, and youre ready to go. is supported by its audience. But with performance measuring at just 40.6 mW into 32 ohms, it fell short of our top picksalthough it does support MQA, which the EarMen Eagle does not. The proctor matched the output levels by running a 1-kilohertz tone through each amp and measuring the output in millivolts using an NTi Audio Minilyzer ML1 audio analyzer. Cobalt features the same ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amp and bit-perfect volume control that give DragonFly Red its unique combination of power and grip over the music. Welcome to Bombay Audio, we are number one source for all requirements in Audio Video Category. It offers a lightweight, easy-to-use design plus its own digital volume control. A DAC is a digital-to-analog converter, a device with a chip that does just what the name implies, taking the digital streaming signal and rendering it into an analog format for playback. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Purchase DragonFly from an Authorized AQ Dealer, Purchase DragonFly from the official AQ Amazon Store. A colored light on the DragonFly Cobalt DAC indicates the resolution of the audio source. If your iOS device has a lightning connection port, then AudioQuest recommends that you use Apples Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter to connect the DragonFly. As for Android and PC-laptop use, the Spectra X fares fine on 32-ohm gear. *At the time of publishing, the price was $130. The Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter is needed to use the device with an iPhone. On a Mac, youll need to go to the Sound panel in System Preferences and set Output to DragonFly Cobalt. Next, you open the Audio MIDI Setup app and select the Cobalt for sound output, and then set the correct sample rate for the music youll be playing. Still, even those lower-resolution files will sound better with the Cobalt. For the most recent update of this guide, we tested 13 new headphone amps ranging in price from $11 to $300, as well as a couple of inexpensive dongle-type amp/DAC models. Thats a function of how each operating system works and thus not a design flaw, because youll face the same issue with any DAC you choose. Because this category is so large, with new brands appearing often on Amazon and elsewhere, its impossible for us to offer comprehensive coverage of headphone amp/DACs. All this goodness is packed into a sleek new case that measures just 2.26" x 0.73" x 0.47" (57.5mm x 18.6mm x 11.9mm), making the latest DragonFly 10% smaller and even a bit more pocket-friendly. Lines are indelibly drawn round the edges of each instrument, with granular detail on offer to complement the cleanliness and military precision. Questyle M12: This especially compact amp/DAC came within a fraction of a milliwatt of the THX Onyx on our 250- and 600-ohm power tests, which is impressive for a model at this price. While the chips used in DragonFlys Black and Red are unbeatable for the price, the minimum-phase slow roll-off filter in the 9038 results in naturally expressive sound that is always emotionally engaging and never fatiguinga beautiful combination of warmth and detail that we find equally exciting and soothing. We independently review everything we recommend. By These outstanding companies make beautiful music with DragonFly. Successfully combating this noise is absolutely crucial to the preservation of the lowest-level musical details, particularly when it comes to high-res audioand especially when applied to a portable-audio device such as DragonFly. People who charge their phone every day might never notice the effect the amp has on their phones battery life, though it could be an issue over a single long listening sessionsuch as on a lengthy flight where you cant charge your phone. Centrance DACport HD: The DACport HD doesnt offer much volume in its low-gain mode, and the switch to toggle to the high-gain mode is recessed, so youll need to track down a paper clip to flip it.