Is a Drangonfly DAC useful on Spotify audio

Hello again - I’m using DF v1.2 anytime I play from my MBA (plugged into one of the USB ports) regardless of source; e.g., ALAC files, Spotify, Tidal, Radio Paradise, etc.. While it doesn’t change the resolution of the source, getting the D to A conversion done independent of and external to the computer’s DAC improves SQ for various other reasons.

With the latest DF Black (the gen after v1.2), AQ reduced power consumption of the design to make it compatible with mobile devices (better battery life).

Hope that gives you what you were asking about.

I have the "new" version AQ Black microDAC: one for my mobile headphones via an iPhone source, and one for direct laptop tunes that bypasses the crap (comparative) sound card performance.
i test drove both the new RED against the new BLACK version. For me I preferred the BLACK as an all-round performer for mobile use, and "good enough" vs the RED for desktop use into actively powered speakers. The RED was incrementally slightly better in some very small way at the top-end, but certainly not for double the money when compared to the "new" version BLACK microDAC.


in short, the AQ Dragonfly microDAC is big-time improvement for laptop or mobile audio performance and resulting audio enjoyment... in either case, full stop.

http://www.whathifi.com/audioquest/dragonfly-black-v15/review
http://www.whathifi.com/audioquest/dragonfly-red/review

https://www.wifihifi.ca/LatestNewsHeadlines/Hands-OnReview:AudioQuestDragonFlyBlack1.5/Red.html

the AQ Dragonfly is a Goliath killer, especially at its pricepoint and ease of use features ... highly recommended

I actually bought a higher quality build and performance TEAC HP-50 headphone amp/DAC for use in both my "B" system swap-in and swap-out from my iPhone, and primarily with my Master & Dynamic new over-ear mobile-use cans for superior performance

http://www.teac.com/product/ha-p5

NOTE

You can attain a further whole step-up in audio performance. Sure, even at the 16/320 MP3 quality level the AQ smokes the standard iPhone or iMAC player.

I have TIDAL streaming that provides mp3 and also a hi-Rez 24bit/96khz FLAC files streaming version for more money. It is with the latter hi-Rez format streaming that the AQ Dragonfly and the ONKYO HF hi-Rez audio player app (MAC IOS standard system player in the iPhone cannot handle it) takes off exponentially in audio performance.

You should definately hear a difference, but you can only speculate on how much. They sell the DF in Best Buy. Get one there and return it if you don't like it.

Awesome you guys.  Thanks so much.