The AudioQuest DragonFly is a USB-powered (it doesn’t use batteries or an external power supply) digital-to-analog converter. I usually need some time to get a handle on the sound of a component, but within minutes of plugging in the tiny $249 DAC I knew exactly what made it so special. It sounds clear and clean, so there’s less standing between the music and my ears.

The AudioQuest DragonFly

(Credit: AudioQuest)

The DragonFly is a bona fide Audio component, designed by Gordon Rankin, a man known in audiophile circles as a great tube electronics engineer, but Rankin is also a computer audio guy. He’s one of the few DAC designers with equal depth of knowledge in analog and digital audio technology.

The DragonFly uses an ESS Sabre DAC, a high-performance chip more typically found in higher-end CD and Blu-ray players. The DragonFly works with MP3s and CD-standard 16-bit/44KHz to 24-bit/96KHz file formats. Inside, there are 107 components mounted on a 0.6×1.7-inch four-layer board including regulators and custom capacitors.

The DragonFly was designed with the audiophile in mind, so instead of relying on a digital volume control that might reduce signal resolution and sound quality, the DragonFly’s volume control works in the analog domain for the best sound quality. The analog volume control tracks the movement of the volume slider on your computer. The DragonFly has a 3.5mm output jack.

It can be used with desktop speakers, like my Emotiva Airmotiv 4s, or a component hi-fi system, or it can directly drive headphones. I tried it all three ways, and the DragonFly’s stunning resolution was always a joy to listen to.

To put the DragonFly’s performance in context I compared it first with the Halide Design DS DAC ($295) that I raved about earlier this year. The DS DAC has a softer and richer sonic balance, which I still like, but the DragonFly’s sound is clearer and more precise. bass is tighter and better defined. Listening over the Airmotiv 4 speakers, the DragonFly’s more expansive stereo image floats freer of the speakers than it does with the DS DAC.

The DragonFly trounced the DS DAC, but how would it fare in a shootout with the $495 Halide Design DAC HD? The DragonFly didn’t win that one; the DAC HD had more bass and sounded more dynamically alive, and had better overall tonality. The stereo image was even bigger, and still had razor-sharp detail. When you hear a truly great DAC, like the DAC HD, on a desktop system, you’re a giant step closer to the sound of a first rate high-end hi-fi.

At first I was less happy with the DragonFly’s sound when I listened to it as a headphone amp. I plugged in the Audio Technica ATH M50 and Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones, and found the DragonFly’s sound lightweight. Bass oomph was lacking, which overemphasized midrange and treble frequencies. Then I popped on my Velodyne vPulse in-ears, and the DragonFly sounded positively awesome! My JH-13 custom-molded in-ears were also fantastic, so all I can say for now is the Dragonfly might not be a great match with some full-size headsets. We’ll see.

Granted, it’s a $249 desktop DAC, so you can’t really expect it to be a giant killer on every application, but the DragonFly still has a lot going for it.

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Don’t be sh*t out of luck when a huge disaster or emergency strikes and causes an electricaloutage…which is exactly what Sun Flare Systems hopes to avoid with their SOS in a Box: a totally portable (and ultra-high efficient) solar power generator. It can produce up to 800-2,500 Watts of household electricity on demand for when an emergency strikes. the patent-pendngsolar powered backup generator system provides instant solar electrical power in any outage or disaster so you have a virtually endless supply of electricity.

The kit consists of three main components that work together to create a very efficient home power plant, including the generator backup, high efficiency solar panel(s)s and the charge controller. The solar kit works better than any gas generator because in an emergency, gas stations can’t pump gas without electricity, so it’s a waste of a generator! Even a few gallons stored in a gas can means a little electricity for a little while before it gives out, which won’t happen with a solar kit like this.

The Sun Flare Systems SOS in a Box comes in four different models that all provide reliable power when you need it most. Their lowest model is the Marine RV Line for $1,080 that provides 75 Watts of PV power with 25amp MPPT charge controller, with external battery terminals for those consumers who already have their own battery systems and inverters. Their Economy Line sells for $1,348 and features 75 Watts of PV power complete with 800 Watt 110/120 60hz power inverter, 25amp MPPT charge controller, all built in with a 18Amph battery for lite overnight power use. The Commercial Grade is $2,248 and provides double the PVsolar power at 150Watts, 1000watt 110/120 60hz inverter, 25amp MPPT charge controller, and with an increased 36Amph battery, but it’s their Military Grade version that’ll provide the best quality! Price isn’t listed, which means it’s probably pretty expensive.

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