iFi go blu vs Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt vs THX Onyx

#ifigoblu #dragonflycobalt #thxonyx
Welcome to my comparison between these three DACs. iFi go blu vs Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt vs THX Onyx.
More info on the ifi hip dac ifi-audio.com and also Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/iFi-blu-Blue...
More info on the Dragonfly cobalt www.amazon.co.uk/AudioQuest-D...

[@shawnpwatsons1]

Very nice review and comparison. Thank you Gavin.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks Shawn 🙏

[@trocadero1965]

Cheers I am about to take one of these so thanks a lot, it helps... Nice honest review

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback 👍

[@adaboy4z]

I found using the Go blu as a Dac for laptop it delivered more power. It over whelmed both of my IEM's. The Go blu replaced my Fii0 ka3 and k3 xbass is implemented so well.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@morespinach9832]

Not sure what you mean though - do you prefer thee Go Blu?

[@adaboy4z]

@@morespinach9832 yeah I prefer the Go blu.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

Gavin been using o e for a week and today I tried it against my v1 btr5 with Sundara, Zeus and 6xx, Sundara it pipped the btr5 on 6xx it was just too warm and just preferred btr5 overall on Zeus, this is with and without xbass and presence or whatever its called on this. I was supprised maybe I'll take a fresh listen tomorrow if have timd

[@GavinsGadgets]

Was this using balanced at all?

[@adrianmorrish8494]

@@GavinsGadgets Yes, all my cables for balanced headphones end in 4.4 and I use converter tails for 2.5,3.5 trrs, single ended d etc. I tried it again last night against btr5 and it just dosent have the slam on the 6xx and Sundaras I was using, neither of theses are known for slam but I mean relatively. Bass didn't sou d distorted in the way u derpowered does but it was like the capacitance wasn't enough to give punch where punch was called for. I may have a faulty unit as it is warm even by ifi TI burr brown standards and no real dynamics?

[@adrianmorrish8494]

in the low end

[@lukewarmbloodedmammal]

Hi Gavin, is it possible to do a comparison between the Dragonfly Cobalt and Clarus CODA?

[@GavinsGadgets]

If I can get the Coda in for review I could look at this.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

Gavin how do you find the Bluetooth range on the go blu, my Fiio btr5 has terrible range, one review said go blu also had bad LDAC range

[@GavinsGadgets]

You’re never going get long range using ldac. The lower codecs will get better range. I can move about the place using AAC quite well.

[@sickdead]

Nice review dude! When the go blu used wired to a laptop as audio, does it drain the bat, keeps charging the bat or it by passes thr battery? Their hipdac and black labels srrms to bypass it.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for the feedback. Depends on the device as to what happens. I think it's best using this Bluetooth mode IMO

[@sickdead]

@@GavinsGadgets 400mh bat.... Dont get me wrong, wireless is convenient, i use a wireless earbud most of the time when im out and about. The thing is after a year or so, the battery do degrade.

[@SSRaskar]

I have been looking over to find a fiio btr7 and THX onyx review as they cost the same but THX says they have better chips in them though they both have AAA chips. If you could add your perspective would be helpful.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Go blu sounds better.

[@catdk4367]

How does this compare against something like the Fiio BTR5?

[@GavinsGadgets]

See my earlier video which covers that off iFi Audio GO Blu vs Shanling UP5 review & comparison

[@Bootrosgali]

Ifi with the XSPACE and XBASS on at the same time. I think thats the feature that will seal it for me.. Make your headphones sound even better? Yes.

[@RayCabrera1]

It would be nice to see the go Blu against the new Hip-dac v2

[@GavinsGadgets]

I agree Ray. That video is coming very soon. So stay tuned 😀

[@adrianmorrish8494]

@@GavinsGadgets the new hipdac V2 (I have the V1 and use it often as a travel dac amp) on ifi page shows say output power mw and voltage as V1 I.e. 400mw at 32ohms and 6.2v @600ohms I think it was for voltage. On Amazon on the ifi supplied glossy section is says it is 600mw any idea which is correct as I may upgrade if it is 600

[@GavinsGadgets]

I am currently testing the v2. Video really soon. I don’t know the exact figures but in balance with my pair of 470 ohm headphones, it works well. I’ll cover off more about this in my review. Hopefully live by Monday or Tuesday.

[@RayCabrera1]

@@GavinsGadgets that sounds great!!! Can you also check the to filter it comes with, compared to the downloadable, iFi XMOS firmware version 5.30, used for MQA. I hear there is a difference between both.

[@GavinsGadgets]

I don’t use MQA anymore.

[@deadline7610]

Thanks. New ifi product in preorder xdsd gryphon . Hope it heads your way for review. any word ?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Yes I will have one for review very very soon. Also my hip DAC 2 review is in progress &will be live soon.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

How did you place your pre order Deadline, I can’t see the price or a pre order option, I’ve been looking since it was first shown?

[@adrianmorrish8494]

It’s ok just found it I was using the buy it button on the ifi site. I wonder what it is like with low impedence planars 8 or 16 ohms, the zencan lacks current at low impedence

[@GavinsGadgets]

No idea yet Adrian. Have a look on ifi website. They have a headphone guide.

[@deadline7610]

@@adrianmorrish8494 If I remember correctly it's not cheap :) $599US. Maybe Gavin can answer the impedance question when he reviews the Ifi xdsd Gryphon. It would be nice if he talks about who this is for since I don't believe it has wifi or airplay which would allow it to stream audio without a phone. Can this be compared to any Hi res. music player, we will have to wait for the review. I had to return my Ifi GoBlu for terrible bluetooth range, Gavin didn't't have that problem. If your looking for a replacement for your zencan- Drop, HiFigo and others were running sales yesterday, I think drop still is. If your not in the US they may not ship. Let Gavin know which cans your trying to drive :) Best of luck

[@jimmiefu8998]

Hi Gavin, very nice review. Can you use the ifi go blu without charging it if u only use it wired?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback. Don’t think you can.

[@joshchacko7729]

What's different other than for bluetooth from the Hip Dac 2?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Size for starters./ portability. I would take a look at the specs on iFi's website.

[@pfx2259]

Hi mate, any argument for buying all three? I have the Cobalt, but really loving the reference-y sound. I wonder whether it's worthwhile buying the THX as well.

[@GavinsGadgets]

If you have the Cobalt, no there isn’t any need for the THX. The go blu gives you Bluetooth with bass boost and stereo side effect, so that’s a different reason to have this. All wait to see what the iFi gryphon reviews are like and spend the money potentially on an upgraded sound altogether & with Bluetooth.

[@pfx2259]

@@GavinsGadgets sweet, thanks for the tip!

[@morespinach9832]

As an owner of both Cobalt and Onyx, I prefer the Onyx.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Sorry about that. I made an error. I've deleted my comment now.

[@morespinach9832]

With my 11 earphones, the THX Onyx is far, far better than the Cobalt. Sound stage, clarity, etc. The IFI HipDAC is way too large, but it's very interesting piece of kit as it warms up the sound. To me the IFI is like a mini Chord Mojo, in some ways. Also Cobalt drinks up battery very quickly.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@pt3sparky341]

The iFi Go Blu is much smaller than the HipDAC

[@Bootrosgali]

The ifi go blu is that good at bluetooth?

[@morespinach9832]

@@Bootrosgali it’s good at Bluetooth but with any Bluetooth the sound is degraded.

[@BladeWaywardSon]

Can you please speak a bit more to the differences in sound between the cobalt an the go blue both wired to a phone? Thanks!

[@GavinsGadgets]

In which aspects or scenario as I covered some of that off in the video?

[@Wyrdrock]

@@GavinsGadgets Depth, soundstage, and resolution.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Depending on the phone, could impact the result when going wired. The cobalt is designed to be used only in wired , whereas the go blu is designed to be more wireless usage than wired.

[@Wyrdrock]

@@GavinsGadgets But when both are wired how does the sound compare?

[@GavinsGadgets]

If you get a proper signal from a phone, the cobalt is more refined/detailed. The go blu is more musical/enjoyable.

[@Reeeepicheep]

Never tried the cobalt, but on sound alone, between the iFi and the THX, the THX takes it away imo. The iFi wins on features.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback

[@morespinach9832]

No. After about 6 months and several headphones / IEMs - I find the IFI Go bar is amazing.

[@CORVUSMAXYMUS]

IFI GO BLUE use the technology from Bluetooth standard which is downgraded by any electronic interferences . So forget the Bluetooth standard and use wired for high sound quality ( balance wired cable if is available )

[@matusjurcik6974]

Hi :) So the ifi go blu sounds better on bluetooth vs wired???

[@GavinsGadgets]

Personally I prefer the wireless audio.

[@matusjurcik6974]

@@GavinsGadgets and could u describe that sonic differenve(bluetooth vs wired) more please? :) Do u mean some dsp correction?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Wired is more accurate, slightly warm sound. Wireless is still a warm sound, just slightly more bass (very slight), better timbre, miss & treble. All the differences are small though.

[@Keeper414]

@@GavinsGadgets is the lightning camera adaptor the only way I can hook my iPhone to the Go Blu wired?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Yes it is. I don’t recommend the wired option

[@nikokomac3185]

hello Gavin nice review...i have cayin ru6 with my sennhesier hd660s and is to bright fatigue lean sound which i don t like...can you tell me if ifi go bar will be better match for siganture relax rounded bassy which i most prefer with my sennheiser hd660s?

[@GavinsGadgets]

The go bar is a warm sound , I don't find it too bright

[@krugmeup2162]

Can I pair this to a cellular Apple Watch and Bluetooth earphones?

[@GavinsGadgets]

No. You can pair the go blu via Bluetooth to the Apple watch. Then plug wired headphones into the go blu.

[@krugmeup2162]

@@GavinsGadgets I see. What about Apple car play - can I use it in the car ?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Carplay is usb from iPhone to your car. Nothing the go blu does

[@jyexe525]

Do you think ifi go blu with focal Celestee is good ?

[@GavinsGadgets]

If you need bluetooth it will be fine.

[@jyexe525]

@@GavinsGadgets cool 👍

[@jyexe525]

Hello sir, can I connect ifi go blu to my smart tv and then link it to my headphone?

[@GavinsGadgets]

In theory that is possible if your tv has Bluetooth.

[@jyexe525]

@@GavinsGadgets oh so cool !

[@sanchezsalvador7232]

how it is heard in the bass THX

[@GavinsGadgets]

It’s a firm bass.

[@soundknight]

Good review but that's not how you pronounce that well known gems name 'onyx'.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks Brian for your feedback 👍

[@CORVUSMAXYMUS]

Hi.IFI GO BLUE even if is a little better on sound than Dragonfly Cobalt the main advantage over time it goes to Dragonfly because doesn't need a lithium battery to work. After a 500 hundred recharge cycle the battery from IFI GO will die and the device will be useless. So dear customer buy DRAGONFLY COBALT.