Audio Quest Dragonfly 1.2 vs.  Asus Xonar DX

Audio Quest Dragonfly 1.2 vs. Asus Xonar DX

AudioQuest DragonFly v1.2 | USB Digital Audio Converter (D / A converter) (Electronics)

Customer Review

So the "Audio Quest Dragonfly 1.2" arrived today and has also been a trial heard extensively from me and directly compared with the "Asus Xonar DX".

My expectations were divided. For one thing, for me DAC's in practice what completely new and I was wondering how it would be possible that such a small "USB-part" is intended to replace a great sound card in sound. Secondly, the original price is (240 EUR for the Dragonfly which I got for 149 EUR) already considerable and can already expectations also rise to the sound. The Xonar took me 6 years ago 80 EUR and my minimum expectations were that the Dragonfly must play at least comparable for the price. Since me just the sound interested, I just let off so s ramblings of packaging etc.. I've only a little is heard about Winamp and there used to equlizer since the Dragonfly yes without driver works or with the Windows Driver (Realtek). The Dragonfly ran ortnungsgemäß in magenta, so the highest setting. Of course, I can only play my subjective sound perception. Headphones I use Lasmex H-75th

Direct and several times I have compared the following tracks / songs:

Neil Davidge - Awakening
Harry Gregson-Williams - The Dream
Brian Tyler - Dive Bombers
Hybrid - Invisible Bear
Avril Lavigne - Nobody's Home

To sum it up briefly: The Dragonfly can be heard all the sounds that the Xonar DX also reproduces. The soundscapes are at first "look" very similar. A closer listen in comparison but falls on the Xonar DX which seems to have a more brilliant color changing. The sound effect of large-scale, deeper, split finer, more delicate, more distant and has mainly clearer contours. But what are most common being noticed especially the voluminous "Bass Beats" that if an orchestra acts "slamming" together. That is significantly more intense in the Xonar DX, and I lack the Dragonfly. This does not imply that the Dragonfly a big bass problem has, but rather the atmospheric force lacking when many sounds at once, according to play (typical orchestra), at least in comparison to the Xonar DX. Most clearly much to me at the track, "Harry Gregson-Williams - The Dream" - at 02:50 at 02:40. Here suggests a Fx to right. At Dragonfly is already huge. In the Xonar DX, one imagines a comet strikes directly against a one and as crazy as it sounds, the brilliance of the sound is so good that you even know what happened color game. In the example you can then also make it clear what I lack at the Dragonfly in sound. However, one must say that the Dragonfly sound in a matter can also score. He is the middle of the overall sound better. This fall in the Xonar DX somewhat into the background, at Dragonfly are linear to ups and downs and just as well in the foreground. Seen in the Dragonfly is balanced.

Well, I am not disappointed yet. In a direct comparison of the Dragonfly can not keep up with the Xonar DX. There is a lack of vitality and brilliance of the contours. The sound is still but very good indeed. Consider that I would really call the onboard sound as catastrophic and it would be to me personally embarrassing as a manufacturer if there even with my company logo in play (Creative Labs). As a company, you should have a minimum claim. At least that's my opinion.

I can actually imagine the Xonar DX could have brought out its advantage also from the driver. Am no expert but the Dragonfly are certain sounds so good again I imagine that he could so as the Xonar DX audio Center might need a little more rausholen in conjunction with a better driver and good equalizer options. I also tried to install the ASIO driver (ASIO4ALL) but it did not hammer out to give the sound to the USB (Did you get the laptop with Winamp only on the integrated laptop speakers and so I do not hear / I do not want to hear).

For the size and overall for practical mobility solution (power via USB) of the Dragonfly is really great and I do not know if there is something better. The volume is actually very According to my Lasmex H-75th So I have in Windows to 80% and in Winamp to 60% and that's as loud as the maximum volume of the Xonar DX through headphones is possible. I think I'll keep the Dragonfly as a mobile solution and can hardly imagine anything better for it. For at home I'm already starting to save, however, already now and to get something really really good to me (do not know what) because I now know that there too, significant differences seem what I previously did not know or would have believed. The intensity of soundtrack is really linked to sound quality.

If anyone still nen quite safe to do is what a mobile solution better sound than the Dragonfly (perhaps ever made a comparison test or just sure is), I listen to the to be happy, I myself do not go the risk of the return to Send or bring me any test objects without which I do not know who is really better than the Dragonfly or may be. Or is there perhaps a possibility of driver or software equalizer for fine tuning?

Thanks!

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UPDATE, ADDENDUM:

I have it now again and compared with the Xonar DX all set to neutral, so everything from. As well as Winamp (at Dragonfly) I could ask of environment only on M for medium but this should probably be neutral.
Now it was really hard to tell the differences. So at the track of "Neil Davidge - Awakening" it was as good as not at all be heard out. However, the Xonar still seemed to have a touch more brilliance and contour but even in bass and treble. I specially repeatedly reingehört because I had been extremely focused on it and respect it, and there is much to minimal only in certain places. After listening to the I had, for a moment, already sure where now even the headphones are connected. Minimal but still a difference.

In "Harry Gregson-Williams - The Dream" but you could still make out differences. The Xonar DX is here still has them playing more brilliance and minimal contours, and a volumigeres spectrum at very low bass. But the Dragonfly shows here also plays the centers present and contour-rich, which gives it a different sound depth. The Xonar DX plays highs and very deep bass marginally better, whereas the Dragonfly reproduces the centers better. The differences are now but really minimal. One can not say which is better, only what sound you prefer a tone and depth to get through the middle contour rich for me but unfamiliar like. Strangely, of a "deficit" (if one may say so that at all) is the other strength. With better Kophförern one might make a clearer statement.
The driver or the interface or audio center, but seems a lot to make or reinforce.

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