Home Amps/DACS AudioQuest Dragonfly Red Review – Worth A Purchase In 2024?

AudioQuest Dragonfly Red Review – Worth A Purchase In 2024?

The DragonFly Red Has Been A Mainstay Recommendation Over The Years, But Is It Still Worth It Today?

by Stuart Charles Black
Published: Last Updated on

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Aloha friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Audioquest Dragonfly Red Review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

Today we’ll take another look at the DragonFly Red and find out if it’s still worth a purchase in 2023 and beyond.

It’s been a top recommendation of mine for a few years now, and I wanted to see if it holds up in the current oversaturated DAC market.

If it doesn’t anymore, what should you be targeting instead?

By the end of this article, you should know everything it’s capable of and if it’s right for you.

At the very very end, I included some interesting research about actual Dragonflies in nature if you were interested.

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

The Audioquest Dragonfly Red Review

The Lab Rat Version

Audioquest DragonFly Red

Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H! | Check eBay!

In The Box

AudioQuest DragonFly Red – USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp

Carry Pouch

Limited 1-Year Warranty

Specifications

  • Input: USB
  • Output: Headphone, 2.1 volts
  • Dimensions: 12 mm x 19 mm x 82 mm
  • Resolution: Up to 24-bit / 96 kHz
  • MicroController: Microchip PIC32MX
  • DAC Chip: ESS 9016 32-bit
  • Volume Control: Digital: 64-bit Bit Perfect Volume Control

Summary

I knew before even demoing this baby that it was going to sound good.

What I didn’t realize is just how good it really is.

As far as value and price to performance, I would almost rank it ahead of both the Oppo HA-2 and a Chord Mojo.

Why?

Because it’s about the size of a Tic-Tac.

Okay maybe not that small, but you get the idea. 😛

You can literally take it anywhere! You can also pair it with your phone, but an OTG cable is needed. More on that later.

If the sound of your laptop’s internal Soundcard sucks (most do), and you don’t feel like investing in a desktop solution, but still want to experience what an Amp/DAC combo is all about, I would buy this almost instantly without hesitation.

AudioQuest DragonFly Red vs. Cobalt vs. Chord Mojo

I Got Greens.

FiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly Red

The old T510 paired with a trusty DF Red + HD558.

What makes it so valuable is the fact that it will improve the resolution and clarity of almost any song via its powerful Digital to Analog Converter.

How the heck can something so small be so amazing? We’ll delve into that in a bit.

A DAC’s primary function is to convert the 1s and 0s (digital data) from your computer, phone, mobile device, etc., into sound that you can understand (analog).

If you’re screaming obscene rap lyrics into your mic, your computer understands it in a binary way and doesn’t judge you. 😛

But if the DAC is crap, then the sound is no good. My old Lenovo T510’s internal soundcard was trash and also didn’t get loud enough.

A solution like the Dragonfly Red provides a quick fix by not only amplifying the sound to a listenable level but also making the quality of the conversion itself better in the process.

With that, let’s take a look at its features…

Dragonfly Red Features

AudioQuest DragonFly Red

DF Red goes to the beach.

What’s neat about the Dragonfly is its ability to light up in different colors according to the source file.

This is done via a 1mm LED inside the device that illuminates the logo on the outside.

  • Green = 44.1 kHz
  • Blue = 48 kHz
  • Amber = 88.2 kHz
  • Magenta = 96 kHz

The other cool thing about the DragonFly is that as soon as you plug it in its volume is controlled by your laptop.

You may or may not like this feature, but I personally don’t mind it.

Convenience

One of the best aspects of this device is its ability to go anywhere at any time.

I personally hate traveling with a lot of excess, and the DragonFly makes it possible to quickly pack up and leave without worrying about wires, power cables, etc.

The provided leatherette case protects the DragonFly from getting damaged, giving you peace of mind on the commute.

As A DAC

Perhaps the DragonFly’s best feature, and one that prevents me from selling it, is that its 3.5mm jack doubles as not only the headphone jack but also a line out.

I can’t tell you how many times the Red has come in handy when I quickly need a DAC to pair with a separate amp that has line-in or RCA inputs.

Because I review so many products, I keep the Fly on my desktop since it’s versatile in that regard and I always have a DAC around.

This prevents me from getting caught with my pants down as the DragonFly can pair with almost any amplifier.

As A Preamp

Going further, you can even use the DragonFly with speakers like the Presonus Eris e3.5s that I just snagged from Sweetwater. Just purchase an RCA to mini cable and you’re set.

Pros

  • Ultra-convenient and Portable.
  • Great build even for such a small piece.
  • Remarkable sound quality.
  • Extremely versatile for such a tiny unit.

Cons

  • A bit overpriced in 2023 and beyond. More on that in the final word.

Check out the video!

My Video Comparison

Here I compared the Red to a few other DACS. Don’t forget to leave me some love and subscribe! <3

Photo Gallery

Click to see the DragonFly Red!

FiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly RedFiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly Red

Shoot 2

DragonFly Red goes to the beach

Audioquest DragonFly Red
DF Red goes to the Beach.
AudioQuest DragonFly Red
DF Red goes to the beach.
Audioquest DragonFly Red
Fun in the Sun.

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

So as promised, it is possible to use the Dragonfly Red with your phone, and you have a few options at your disposal:

If you’re on a MAC, the USB ports on the back may fare better as far as sound quality goes.

The ports on the side are said to be not as good and may result in a slight degradation in quality.

DAC Chip

Audioquest DragonFly Red

A Great Desktop Setup.

As for why such a small piece of equipment can sound so amazing?

The secret lies in its 32-bit ESS 9016 chip, which provides a more realistic sound and an upgrade from the Dragonfly Black’s 32-bit ESS 9010 chip.

Also, its 2.1V output (around 135mW) provides more power for higher-end audiophile-type headphones with poor efficiency.

For instance, the Dragonfly powers my Sennheiser HD600 with relative ease, something I was completely taken aback by when first demoing this unit.

Consensus/Conclusion

The Dragonfly Red provides a portable, convenient, and highly effective solution for your desire to obtain a clean conversion.

Its price-to-performance ratio is astounding, its sound is something I’ve harped on as being superior to many other DACS over the years, and it’s built extremely well despite being so small.

Add to that it’s incredibly versatile for a unit the size of a flash drive and you’ll always have a use for it in the studio.

I first demoed it in 2017, owned one since 2018, and don’t plan on ever selling it.

2023 & Beyond Update

FiiO Q1 vs. E10K vs. DragonFly Red

Well, I’ve recommended the Red for quite a number of years and I still think it’s a solid option, but there may be a better value on the horizon.

Something cheaper that houses the same DAC chip that the overpriced Cobalt uses and one that’s also more affordable than a DragonFly Red.

Interested in learning more about it?

 


The Dragonfly: A Deeper Look

The Audioquest Dragonfly Red Review

On the surface, the name Dragonfly given to a portable Amp/DAC as small as this seems fairly straightforward.

It’s lightweight, extremely portable, and can literally go anywhere – much like a real Dragonfly.

When I first wrote this article, I didn’t give it a second thought.

But as I was creating the graphic for the article months later, I became interested in the backstory of the insect itself.

It turns out that these somewhat erratic creatures are extremely fascinating upon further examination.

Took this at the pool. The poor guy got obliterated.

Let’s take a gander.

You may recognize the predator Dragonfly as almost an afterthought, even though it’s been around for about 300 million years!

Whenever I see them during the summer they always have this tendency of darting around aimlessly (so it seems), and because they don’t pose a threat and never bother others, I just sort of ignore them.

They’re really peaceful as well.

One even landed on my lap while I was at the pool and I wasn’t scared at all.

And no, it wasn’t the one pictured to the right. How could you even insinuate that I would harm a Dragonfly?! Lol.

But really, imagine that, an insect that doesn’t bother you. Wow. What a concept.

I wish Bumblebees and Wasps would take note. Lol.

What’s incredible about a Dragonfly is the fact that it can move at speeds of 45 mph, hover, fly backward like a hummingbird, fly straight up, straight down, and side to side.

Uh, I guess humans are pretty cool too.

We can attempt to walk in a straight line after being pulled over by the cops. Lol.

What’s even more impressive is that it can do all these things while only flapping its wings 30 times per minute.

For perspective’s sake, a Mosquito must flap 600 times and a Housefly 1000 times!

The beautiful Dragonfly also showcases iridescent, opaque wings that reveal what’s called Structural Coloration: The ability to reflect many different colors as the angle or view of illumination changes.

Though we see them as flying insects, only a small portion of this time (a few days to a few weeks) is spent in the air.

The majority of their 6-7 month lifespan occurs as larvae (or nymph) in the freshwater regions.

Its metamorphosis takes form when the larva comes out of the water to hang from the bank or some sort of stem while enjoying the warm sunshine and eventually turning into an adult Dragonfly.

Before it can take flight, its wings have to dry; in this state it’s referred to as the Latin word teneral, meaning tender, soft, or delicate.

Many “tenerals” in this critical stage die out due to strong force winds, boats, other predators, and even other larvae!

How sinister is that?

A soon-to-be Dragonfly can be taken out by a larva in its infancy. Mind blown. Call it not-so-friendly fire.

Though the Dragonfly in flight is a formidable predator, it must constantly be on the lookout for other predators like birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and more.

Because of these dangers, the Dragonfly is naturally well equipped with 360-degree vision, extremely agile flight, and a fast speed as discussed earlier.

That’s God’s handy work!

Unfortunately,

the mature Dragonfly’s life is short-lived, only surviving for a maximum of 6-7 months in ideal conditions, and sometimes as little as just a few weeks!

If there were ever a creature to live in the moment, it’s the Dragonfly.

Let that be a lesson to us as humans.

We tend to live in the past or future a lot of the time, always worried about our “plans” and constantly looking ahead for better days.

Even worse, some of us can’t stop reflecting on past mistakes and what we could have done better.

The fact is that it’s hard to live in the here and now, but it is possible.

Life is but a fleeting moment, so let’s make the best of it by being grateful for what we do have, and loving ourselves right where we are.

“To regret the past, to hope in the future, and never to be satisfied with the present: that is what I spend my whole life doing”

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky


Well that’s about it for today folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Audioquest DragonFly Review.

What do you think about this piece? Is it worth the investment? Let me know!!

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Let me know in the comments below or Contact me!! I would love to hear from you.

Until then, all the best and God bless…

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

Audioquest DragonFly Red

4.75

Sound

5.0/5

Build

5.0/5

Features

3.8/5

Ease of Use

5.0/5

Power Output

5.0/5

Pros

  • Convenient
  • Easy to Use
  • Powers 99% of Headphones
  • Can be paired with a phone
  • Sounds fantastic

Cons

  • Lack of features

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14 comments

Tee May 26, 2018 - 10:33 am

Hi,

Thanks for all the great information on the site!

I am looking for a portable and affordable amp/DAC for my AKG K701 – would you recommend this device? I use it for music production on my Macbook Pro Retina.

Cheers!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black May 26, 2018 - 3:20 pm

Thank you for your kind words 🙂 I would say certainly! Let me know how it turns out Tee!

Regards,
-Stu

Reply
Dave August 3, 2018 - 2:50 pm

Hi Stu,
I have a pair of older AKG K240 DF cans which I believe are 600 ohms. I am wondering if the Dragonfly Red will power these? I have found a couple of conflicting reports on the interweb. I would prefer to have a portable DAC/amp for these and the Dragonfly Red certainly would fit the bill.

If it doesn’t, any suggestions for the K240?
Thanks!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 4, 2018 - 4:01 pm

Dave,

I probably would not recommend that as the 240DF’s are a special case, and the Dragonfly Red’s ceiling is about 300 Ohms. For instance, it can power my HD600’s very well, but just barely spec wise. I would never rely on it for anything more than that. Sounds like I’m ragging on it but it’s quite the opposite. I love the Dragonfly and recommend it first in 99% of situations.

For your case however, I would go with something else. Here are some options:

-Schiit Magni 3. This will provide 230mW into 600 Ohms and is more than enough for a 240DF. I have the Magni 2 but do plan on upgrading in the future.
-Musical Paradise MP-301. Read quite a bit about this guy and a few people were loving the pairing with the 240DF. Something to consider for sure.
-For something a bit more affordable, the Audioengine D1 into a Bravo Audio V2 got an endorsement as well.
-Schiit Valhalla. Might even be overkill, but provides 450mW into 600 Ohms.
-Rock n Glass. Another hidden gem of a tube amp, said to be a good pairing with the K240DF and comes in at a very reasonable price.
Darkvoice336. Great tube amp for higher impedance headphones like the 240DF.

I’ve even read that a Kenwood C2 and generally older Yamaha receivers work really well with the 240DF. Mostly this is due to the ability for you to use the tone controls on the C2, which helps out with the bass in particular.

I would probably go with either the Magni 3 or the Musical Paradise in your case. I hope that helps! Please keep me posted on your decision making process and let me know what you think of the above mentioned.

Blessings,
-Stu

Reply
Juan December 8, 2018 - 2:45 am

Dragonfly red vs bravo v2 for he 600?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 8, 2018 - 2:54 pm

Hey Juan! Do you mean the HD600? What headphone are your referring to?

Reply
Andres January 9, 2021 - 8:30 am

Hi Stu, happy new year.
How well does the dragonfly red handle the AKG K702? I know those headphones lack bass but for rock, electro, pop and hip hop, how’s it going? I’m not a bass head

Reply
Stuart Charles Black January 11, 2021 - 4:03 am

Happy New Year to you as well! Love the Red with the 702! I listen to all those genres with it! 🙂

Reply
Isaque Gomes de Souza June 22, 2021 - 10:01 pm

How do i know if it will power something well?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black June 24, 2021 - 4:30 pm

Hey man, it’s got plenty of power. 2.1V which comes out to around 400mW if I’m not mistaken. What are you trying to power?

Reply
Mac June 2, 2022 - 1:39 am

Hey Stu, thanks for this review it helped put me over the top, for making the purchase. I can’t recomend the Dragonfly Red enough. Quick question around set up – Within “Control Pannel >Sound” is it advisable to set my “Default Format” in “Speaker Properties” up to 24/96? Yes, I do listen to quite a bit of music at this rate both in files on my comp and via Qobuz. Many thanks in advance.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black June 5, 2022 - 3:17 pm

Hey man my pleasure! As for your question, I don’t really think it matters all that much, to be honest with you. If you prefer listening at 24/96, then go for it. But the difference between a standard FLAC of 16/44 and 24/96 is pretty subtle due to the Nyquist Shannon theorem as well as it’s just very difficult to discern those marginal differences (if there even are any).

You also have to take into account that many of these files are upscaled anyway which is a nice way of saying they’re intentionally trying to make the file look better – sometimes, not all the time.

In reality, yes, bit depth is pretty important so I generally do like 24-bit over 16, but high sample rates are almost impossible for our ears to discern and mostly boil down to placebo more than any real tangible differences.

Reply
Mac July 30, 2022 - 4:41 am

Hi Stu,
My sincerest apologies, I completely missed this response. Thanks very much for your help!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black July 30, 2022 - 1:14 pm

No worries my friend! 🙂

Reply

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