12-28-2016, 12:06 PM | #1 |
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DragonFly Red + B&O
For those willing to mess with the inconvenience of not being able to control your music from your steering wheel or stereo unit, I recommend trying out the AudioQuest DragonFly Red digital-to-analog converter (DAC) / amplifier unit to complement your B&O sound system.
The DragonFly Red is a small USB headphone DAC / amp, but if you tether it to your mobile device and use the car's auxiliary input, there is a noticeable improvement in sound. It's essentially double-amping, but the benefit that's realized is via the unit's DAC section, which renders digital music better than your phone or stereo unit can. That said, crappy recordings will sound crappy, but if you have well-recorded music or stream Tidal HiFi, it'll sound great. AudioQuest also makes the DragonFly Black, but in my experience, the Red is much better (and $100 more expensive). Last edited by ConsumerFanatics; 01-27-2017 at 12:23 AM.. |
12-28-2016, 12:31 PM | #2 |
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I'm not sure I understand the purpose of this unless you're using a non-iPhone device. When using Lightning-to-USB from the iPhone, you're sending a true digital signal to the BMW unit and subsequently amplified by the B&O. This will be notably better sound quality than any re-amplified auxilliary output source IMHO.
Have you compared using the Dragonfly Red vs. streaming Bluetooth using high quality source material (e.g. 320kbps MP3 from Spotify or iPhone internal storage)? Thanks, Brad
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12-28-2016, 12:53 PM | #3 | |
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I have compared the DragonFly Red vs. streaming Bluetooth or iPhone internal using lossless FLAC files (16bit / 44.1 KHz), and the DFR plugged in via auxiliary is better. YMMV. I just happen to have the DFR and tried it out and liked the results. I'm not trying to convince anyone to spend $200 just for this purpose. I use the DFR mainly with my headphones at work. Last edited by ConsumerFanatics; 12-28-2016 at 12:58 PM.. |
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12-28-2016, 12:57 PM | #4 |
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Using the Apple CCK, you are also outputting a true digital signal. You're simply replacing the digital rendering done by the phone or car system and enhancing it (IMO).
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12-28-2016, 01:24 PM | #5 |
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Is that metal or wood on those earbuds? I've been trying to get some that I'm happy eith but continuing to fall short. I use Jaybird X2's for the gym, and they're decent for what they are. But still need something for at-home that isn't a huge pair of cans like the Sennheisers I have collecting dust.
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12-28-2016, 01:39 PM | #6 | |
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Speaking of wood, I want to try out the JVC Kenwood HA-FX1100. It's supposed to have good bass, but they may not work well with heavy metal. Tons of real-world opinions on IEMs at Head-Fi. With IEMs, fit is very important. I had pair of Sony MDR-7550, which sounded fantastic but the over-the-ear thing never worked with me and I never got a good seal, even when trying different ear tips. |
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12-30-2016, 11:14 AM | #8 | |
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Your suggestion, for me at least, is way more cumbersome and it simply wouldn't sound as good because the DragonFly Red is a DAC that replaces the digital conversion that the car's system would do (i.e., it's better than the car). |
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12-30-2016, 12:11 PM | #9 | |
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You do have a perfect opportunity to compare it, would love to hear you observations on the side by side comparison of the same content played through both. |
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01-02-2017, 10:41 PM | #10 | |
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Both are great options for those who would like a much wider range of sound.
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01-18-2017, 02:17 AM | #12 | |
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BT Streaming and 3.5mm (alone) will always sound worse than USB; you might as well be listening to HD Radio or Satellite. If you do not wish to use USB and insist on playing from iphone, I assume DragonFly is the way to go. It would be interesting to hear your comparison on same FLAC files using DragonFly vs USB flash drive/External HD. I am also curious if DragonFly USB end can be plugged into vehicle. Are music files not processed twice, once with device and second time through vehicle? |
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01-18-2017, 12:59 PM | #13 | ||
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With all this said, I'll give it a shot with my own FiiO E17 unit. |
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01-19-2017, 12:59 PM | #14 | |
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I've had the FiiO E17 before and that's also a solid unit. Definitely give it a try! |
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01-19-2017, 01:04 PM | #15 | |
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I would compare FLAC files on USB if I actually owned FLAC files. I don't have a way to rip CDs. I know I can download these, but the extent of my experiment is limited by my laziness . As for plugging the DFR into the car's USB. You can, but I don't know what the practical purpose would be; you'd be limited to listening to your car's music through your headphones. |
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01-19-2017, 01:21 PM | #16 | |||
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01-19-2017, 02:25 PM | #17 | |
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Phone --> USB --> FiiO E17 --> car aux I'll stick to the B&O since it sounds better. I have FLACs loaded onto my M5's hard drive and they sound quite nice! I also have TIDAL HiFi. |
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01-20-2017, 06:05 PM | #18 | |
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Last edited by ConsumerFanatics; 01-20-2017 at 06:16 PM.. |
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01-20-2017, 06:09 PM | #19 | |
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You can download Tidal HiFi files to your phone, but its use is limited to your subscription to Tidal and with the Tidal app. That's what I meant by local FLAC files on my iPhone. Sorry for any confusion. The chain should be iPhone > Apple CCK > DragonFly Red > 3.5mm > car Last edited by ConsumerFanatics; 01-20-2017 at 06:18 PM.. |
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01-20-2017, 06:41 PM | #20 | |
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I also understand the connection order you use in your vehicle. I was just curious if you ever tried music files without Phone (ie just on USB flash drive) as well as whether DFR could be used in the order I described. Nevertheless, it sounds like DFR is a good option for using with headphones at least and possibly an alternative for those that like to load their phones with music to play in vehicle. |
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01-20-2017, 06:42 PM | #21 | |
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01-23-2017, 02:47 PM | #22 | |
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