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I currently own the Audioquest Red headphone DAC/amp, and my only real complaint is that it won't play loud enough with certain tracks on my laptop..... I'd like to know if the Cobalt can amplify the signal to a higher output volume level than the Red. Thank you much.
Follow Ups:
Having only used the Cobalt briefly at home I can say that it is definitely louder. I had to find the right volume control to bring it down to comfortable. I was caught off guard.
As a Red owner if you want more output you desperately need to see an audiologist. No, I am not making a joke. Without further information you apparently have a serious hearing problem.
How are you using the AQ Red? Please advise 'phones/IEMs , hardware and software platforms.
"As a Red owner if you want more output you desperately need to see an audiologist. No, I am not making a joke. Without further information you apparently have a serious hearing problem."Some YouTube videos, like the one linked, don't quite play loud enough on my laptop, with the settings maxed out. (Most videos do play loud enough, but not all. I tried some "volume boost" programs, but the sound quality suffered.)
I was just wondering if the Cobalt had more "gain" than the Red. Unless there is an alternative way to increase the volume on a Windows PC, and I don't realize it.
"How are you using the AQ Red? Please advise 'phones/IEMs , hardware and software platforms."
The device is plugged directly into a USB port. I use an HP EliteBook Core i7, Beyerdynamic DT880 plugged directly into the unit. Unit runs on Windows 10. (More-efficient headphones may be my only solution.)
I posted a similar question on Amazon..... Apparently, this is a problem that is not unique to my setup. The Windows "Mixer" may not provide full volume with devices that don't have enough gain/efficiency.
Edits: 07/24/19
Thanks for your reply Todd. I was genuinely concerned for your hearing but now I know what rig you are using then I have what I hope may be be a simple explanation for your dissatisfaction with the sound levels you are getting from your AQ Red.I replicated what you describe as best as I can. I played the You Tube video that you linked via my Dell i5 laptop, Win 10, AQ Red, Beyer Dynamic DT880. Result? Too low a volume even at full pelt.
Suggestion? I am guessing that like me you have the 600 ohm version of the DT880 ( NB: the impedance is marked on the black plastic part of the plug). Even many full sized dedicated headphone amps like my early SPL Phonitor 2 have trouble in driving them. You would probably be happier using the 32 ohm (or even maybe the 250 ohm) version of the DT880 with Dragonflies , or, indeed, many other headphone amps. In contrast my Beyer Dynamic T51P is deafening with the identical set up as above.
Edits: 07/25/19 07/25/19
Both spec out at 2.1 volts...
"Both spec out at 2.1 volts..."The issue isn't output capability.... The issue is gain.... Some videos that are recorded at low level just don't play loud enough with the Windows (10) volume set to maximum. If the device had more gain, the output level itself is otherwise plenty for my headphones.
Edits: 07/24/19
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