Product Comparison: Audioengine D3 vs AudioQuest DragonFly Black

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Audioengine D3 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp

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AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC

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General Specifications

Brand

Audioengine

AudioQuest

Model

DragonFly Black

Origin

China

USA

About the Product

The D3 24-bit DAC allows you to bypass your computer’s headphone output and send music directly through USB for improved fidelity and higher volume output.

DragonFly Black, the most affordable model of the award-winning DragonFly family, has been praised by Darko.Audio as “the quintessential everyman hi-fi product,” while its more sophisticated sibling, DragonFly Red, combines significantly improved performance with still exceptional value.

Key Specs

Built-in DAC

AKM4396

ESS 9010

Type

Portable

Sample Resolution/Rate

24-bit / 192kHz

24-bit / 96kHz

Signal/Noise Ratio

110 dB

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Audioengine D3 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp

The sound is big and full, everything I had hoped for. Highly recommend.
This little DAC/amp puts out amazing sound. I use it to convert the sound from my home computer.
My laptop is now delivering music with so much more clarity, depth, detail that it's astonishing.
I've owned this headphone DAC for over a year now and it is an excellent product.
The first thing that's noticeable is a fuller, wider sound that becomes apparent as soon as you plug in the device.

AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC

Can't be the price to performance ratio here. Unit works great and takes the digital grit out of any IPhone-IPad.
I have continued to return to AQ for a wide range of audio/video products due to their superior quality to cost ratio.
With higher resolution files, 24 bit 96kHz files for instance, it is a wonder.
I do not need it, but I want it because it sounds so good, even with low resolution files.
Lacked dynamics and most obviously high frequency resolution (high hats and such.)

Size & Weight

Color

Silver

Black

Height

0.36 in.

0.47 in.

Width

2.5 in.

2.44 in.

Depth

0.75 in.

0.74 in.

Weight

1.12 oz.

3.52 oz.

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Audioengine D3 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp

This thiny is very small. Best portable audio improvement I've bought in a long time.
I chose this version over the D1 by Audioengine due to it's sleek, minimalist design. The D3 is the size of a wallet.
I am in love with this little device. Impressive sound update.
I highly suggest who wants to listen same quality of music everywhere it's easy fits in your pocket.
Great little device. Automatic driver installation. Plug and play just as it is.

AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC

You can not find a potable DAC and amplifier this size with this sound.
Excellent travel sized DAC that I can use with my iphone 6 Plus or desktop with a macbook pro.
I’ve been thrilled by how well it performs, especially given its size and cost!
I just say that a device this size and this price, will give you hours of happy listening to your favorite music.
The size, and the "plug and play" design, and the many favorable reviews, made this product a slam-dunk for me. Did not work.

Features

Enclosure Material

Plastic

Max. Frequency Response

25 kHz

20 kHz

Min. Frequency Response

10 Hz

20 Hz

OS Compatibility

Microsoft Windows, Linux, Apple OS, Apple iOS, Android

Apple OS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Apple iOS, Android

Wireless Connection

Interfaces

Phones

Extras

LED Indicators, Analog Volume Control

Analog Volume Control, LED Indicators, 1.2 voltage output

Max. Frequency Response
Min. Frequency Response

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

Audioengine D3

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

What customers say about "Features"

Audioengine D3 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp

The unit blends all lows, mids and highs into a warm and exciting sound. The tones are rich and complete, nothing on the scale is lost.
Produces a very non fatiguing sound. Great for listening to you tube videos or HD tracks.
Works well in Linux, used directly with ALSA controls.
At first I did hear some buzzing. And I was needed to contact with Audioengine support.
The only con is that the device can heat in a little time period.

AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC

Make sure you follow the step by step included instructions for your OS whether MAC or Windows and you will be experiencing your music.
I took a bit of a gamble with this purchase because nowhere on the Audioquest website does it even mention Chrome OS. Happy customer here.
The bottom line is good source material trumps great equipment.
You will discover an icon that says Dragonfly and Vista, and then you will discover that it won't work on that OS.
Works flawless with Windows and OS X but with Android the compatibility is poor yet.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

3 year(s)

1 year(s)

Certifications