Higher Flyer

The Cobalt is the latest and most premium version of AudioQuest’s DragonFly series of DACs. The Cobalt does not replace AudioQuest’s existing DragonFly models, the Black and the Red. It’s for those who want higher performance and are prepared to pay a 40% premium over the Red. It looks somewhat like a USB memory stick, around the same length and volume as a typical mid-sized one. But it looks much classier than that, with its deep, glossy cobalt-blue finish and backlit DragonFly logo.

At one end is a standard USB Type-A plug suitable for plugging into the matching socket installed on most PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Linux, whatever. At the other end is a 3.5mm stereo socket. That’s suitable for driving headphones and also delivering a line-out signal for external equipment. It also comes with a tight-fitting leatherette pouch