Here is the "skinny": COBALT versus RED: roughly DOUBLE the potential audio output capability for COBALT versus RED - this is not just great for 'PUNCH' - it means greater ease of delivery over a greater overall dynamic range - it is BREATHTAKING NOTE that TIDAL software limits the COBALT's maximum audio output level to help prevent possible hearing loss NOISE LEVEL - COBALT has no audible background noise, EVER - music arrives out of total BLACKNESS - sort of like the vacuum of space - I have been an audiophile for 45 years and have never experienced this before - a drawback to RED is it produces audible background noise - I believe still it is worth it as RED has fantastic dynamic range and you hear EVERYTHING in the recording in detail - COBALT took some getting used to as COBALT does this too but WITHOUT ANY BACKGROUND NOISE. I have spent six (6) weeks listening to the COBALT using my latest favorite IEMs (a lifelong search this is) and TIDAL Highest Fidelity subscription service. If you appreciate the very best reproduction of recorded music typically delivered via a personal computer (PC) or leading-edge smartphone/portable music player to In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs) and headphones, the COBALT is a worthy 2021 "journey's end". I am thankful I have taken this "progressive" route over time as I have exhaustive first-hand experience with each Dragonfly "color" version, earned through rewarding use. The Dragonfly Cobalt is the third AudioQuest USB DAC/headphone amplifier I have bought in the past five (5) years, starting with BLACK v1.0, then to BLACK v1.5, then to RED, now to COBALT.
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