[Doublej]

Anyone done a head to head on these?

I've recently read a few reviews. Some put the Dragonfly on top, others the D3, but they are from reviewers that I consider OK but not great.

[JLM]

Wait 6 months and it won't matter (the technology keeps moving so fast that there will be new/better 'darlings' out). 

I'm waiting (very patiently) for the whole hi-resolution arena to settle out before making my next move.  Even if I stay Redbook, prices should really get cheap by then.

[mcgsxr]

I bought a used HRT Music Streamer II last week.  I had considered the Dragonfly, but found the HRT first, and the price was agreeable.  Happy with it.

I'd say why wait?  There are excellent, fun $100 pieces now.  Will the future be better?  Likely, but I am happy to listen as the advancements are made, for this small investment.   

Of the original 2 posted, I'd take the Dragonfly.  Better resale in a year too. 

[roscoeiii]

What are you planning to couple these with?

You have probably seen the Macworld comparison review that included these and others like them.

That review mentions the importance of paying attention to the output impedance. A concern especially if you have low impedance headphones.

For example, it made clear that the Meridian Explorer and the D3 would be a poor match with my low impedance Shure 846 IEMs.

http://www.macworld.com/article/2089224/usb-dac-review-six-compact-components-for-upgrading-your-computer-s-audio.html

On the other hand, the HRT Microstreamer,Dragonfly and the iDSD look like great options.

[Doublej]

It would be Dragonfly to Assemblage L-1 preamp to B&K EX4420 to a pair of HSU HB-1MKII speakers.

[roscoeiii]

Ah, then output impedance isn't a big concern. I would also put iDSD on your list at that pricepoint. There are a couple threads over at Headfi.

[persisting1]

You can buy the first version of the Dragonfly for $99 new. I've never heard it, but the price sounds right.

[roscoeiii]

Though for $50 more, the Dragonfly v2 may be worth the extra cash.

[JLM]

I bought a used HRT Music Streamer II last week.  I had considered the Dragonfly, but found the HRT first, and the price was agreeable.  Happy with it.

I'd say why wait?  There are excellent, fun $100 pieces now.  Will the future be better?  Likely, but I am happy to listen as the advancements are made, for this small investment.   

Of the original 2 posted, I'd take the Dragonfly.  Better resale in a year too.

Mark,

I'm satisfied with what I've got for Redbook.  It'd be the never happy audiophile in me that would push for more from that format.  I use Toslink, so most of these tiny DACs are ruled out anyway.  Idly wondering how either of these compare to the Schiit Modi (cheaper but not portable) or the Meridian to the BiFrost (at roughly the same price).  I like the future proofing of the BiFrost and don't need the small form factor.

[ThuanDB]

Wait 6 months and it won't matter (the technology keeps moving so fast that there will be new/better 'darlings' out). 

I'm waiting (very patiently) for the whole hi-resolution arena to settle out before making my next move.  Even if I stay Redbook, prices should really get cheap by then.

Jeff,

You might want to try Jplay on your laptop.  We talked about Squeezebox a couple years back.

Cheers!

[Doublej]

Order placed for the Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2. Should be in my hands by the end of the week if not sooner.

[jackman]

Any news?  the Dragonfly 1.2 looks cool.  Initial reviews have been very good.  I'd spend the $50 to get the newer version. 

[JLM]

Jeff,

You might want to try Jplay on your laptop.  We talked about Squeezebox a couple years back.

Cheers!

Sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone else.  It's been a long time since I had a SB and have never owned a laptop (have a iMac now).

[Letitroll98]

Any news?  the Dragonfly 1.2 looks cool.  Initial reviews have been very good.  I'd spend the $50 to get the newer version.

I've read that the 1.0 was updated last year and is the same unit as the 1.2 other than it reads as 1.0 on your computer.  No idea on the truth of this, but of course everything you read on the internet is true.  Anyone else have any info on the validity of the story?

[Doublej]

I don't think the Dragonfly 1.0 is the same as the 1.2 as after Audio Advisor made that pronouncement around Black Friday 2013, they issued a correction stating it was not.

While I have not had the time to do any great in depth analysis on the Dragonfly 1.2, upon inserting this into my setup and configuring it properly (for no good reason I thought it would auto detect the sampling rate of the source material and match it) there was a noticeable improvement in rhythm and pace to the music, more bass energy, and greater detail. Poor quality recordings are more evident.

I took it over to a golden ears friend's house. He hooked it up to his Windows laptop and a pair of generic looking Philips headphones and the foot tapping started immediately upon hearing it. He's getting one too.

It is better than x or y DAC? Don't know as I haven't put it head to head against other DACs. Do I think it is worth the money I paid for it? Yup.

More in about a month after I have had chance to devote more time to listening to it.

[jackman]

Yep, the new Dragonfly is a major step up from th original. Some of the initial information was incorrect. And the new one is only $150!

By the way, is that little kick starter DAC shipping yet?  I would not buy without more reviews or without the opportunity to return it if it doesn't sound good, but some people were excited. What was I called, the Geek? 

[sonik]

Had both the Dragonfly 1.2 and the Audioengine D3 - the Audioengine D3 was returned.  No contest.  In my system the Dragonfly was more dynamic, more detailed and more extended.  I also liked the Meridian Explorer and preferred it to the Audioengine D3 and the HRT Microstreamer and would rate it approximately equal to the Dragonfly, although somewhat different in sonic signature.  I recall reading somewhere (?) that the output impedance of the Meridian has been reduced in units recently manufactured.

[roscoeiii]

Yes  the Explorer did have its output impedance reduced to around 5 ohms . Though this will still be too high for low impedance IEMs, like the Shure 846 I am using right now.