Audioquest Dragonfly Black v1.5

Although caterpillars and butterflies are typically used to illustrate the process of metamorphosis, the evolution of Audioquest’s Dragonfly is just as impressive a tale of transformation.

Nearly a decade ago, the original Dragonfly – a DAC and headphone amplifier crammed into the tiny proportions of a USB memory stick – elicited a response of pure delight and "whatever next?" It was conveniently compact, ingeniously simple to use and an undisputed sonic upgrade for our laptops. For this groundbreaking effort, we named it our Product of the Year in 2012.

Two years later, its successor the v1.2 took the gong for its improved sound, and since then portable DACS have sprung up faster than daisies in spring.

But Audioquest figured out how to keep its edge in a cutthroat market – namely by improving compatibility and sound quality, and by dropping the price.

Staying relevant

The Audioquest Dragonfly Black (referred to on the back of the device as v1.5) is a more portable version of its predecessors – not in terms of its dimensions, which are exactly the same as its previous ones, but in compatibility.

Audioquest claims the DAC'S Microchip microcontroller draws 77 per cent less current than the one in the v1.2 – this makes a more appealing case to use it with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. The old model was power hungry and would quickly drain your battery; the current one has adapted to the modern demands of music on the go.

Adaptor for on-the-go

You’ll need to purchase a separate adaptor for portable devices, though, which could explain the Dragonfly’s humble price tag. You'll need an On-the-go cable with a micro USB connector for Android devices (Audioquest does its own version called Dragontail), while Apple’s camera adapter (£25) should allow the Dragonfly to play ball with iphones.

It's worth remembering, though, that not all Android devices allow audio out of their USB connection, so it's definitely worth checking that this device is compatible with your phone.

The heart of this device is a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chip, and there's a desktop application through which the Dragonfly can receive software updates. Then there's the headphone amp and analogue volume control, plus the LEDS that light up in different colours according to file-size playback: green for 44.1khz files, blue for 48khz, amber for 88.2khz and magenta for 96khz.

Sadly that’s where it ends, as playback is limited to 96khz, although it can play higher file sizes (these are first downsampled by your computer).

A plastic cap slots over the USB end to keep the insides free from the crumbs at the bottom of your bag, and a cute leatherette pouch protects the zinc alloy casing – which has a pleasing soft-matt finish – from coins or house keys.

We stick the Dragonfly into our Macbook Air, plug in our Austrian Audio HI-X55 (£255) headphones and load up our hi-res music library. What we hear is a joyous blend of strict balance, rhythmic intelligence and joie de vivre, bursting with insight and dynamic impetus.

The Audioquest has a remarkably tight presentation for one so small; the thumping drums on R.E.M’S Pilgrimage are powerfully delivered yet precisely paced, possessing all the intended agility.

The Black spreads its wings to deliver the space and openness needed to keep the elbows of the reverberating pianos, tuneful guitar lines and dainty chimes firmly tucked in. And Michael Stipe’s longing inflections are bold, solid and nicely layered.

Texture, depth and insight

In The Last Shadow Puppets’ Bad Habits, strings soar with dynamic finesse just as impressively as when they lurch with exuberance. There's also a revealing depth to the piano notes and insight into the curt, spiky vocals – both of which carry the track’s perilous mood to a tee.

We stream Band of Horses’ In A Drawer from Spotify and ambient electrics spread evenly about the soundstage, which, despite the file’s lower resolution, is still ample.

All these years on, the Dragonfly Black continues its forerunner's commitment to great sound quality on a budget; like the caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, Audioquest’s Dragonfly line has undergone a similarly remarkable metamorphosis – the outward appearances may be similar, but this is easily the best Dragonfly yet.