AudioQuest DragonTail Carbon USB A to C Adapter

This is a quality piece of kit and is now needed when moving to iPhones with usb-c. It is a little pricey, but it is designed well and works perfectly for connecting the AQ DragonFly to an iPhone.

The cable seems to be up to Audioquest's typical standards for their audio products. This cable seems to be constructed much better than typical computer cables of the same type. The USB-A connection feels secure. Most important of all, the cable doesn't seem to degrade music sound quality when used with an Audioquest Dragonfly Red DAC.As an added plus, this also works great for connecting other USB-A devices to a USB-C port on a laptop computer. I got this for a newer laptop with only USB-C ports knowing that I would use this for audio, but also for connecting other devices.

A prior review, which I didn't notice until after ordering the item, expressed doubt as to the authenticity of the product. I shared the same concern having also owned the USB-A to A version and noting considerable aesthetic differences upon arrival. However the box appeared perfectly printed with images showing the part inside. I still had my doubts, so I ordered a second one from Crutchfield figuring two could be handy regardless.They were identical in every way...Turns out the USB-C OTG adapter is just a different and less substantially constructed DragonTail than the A to A legacy part. No functional or suspected aural coloration issues though. I'm happy with the quality of the electrical paths offered with this product and the tidy connection solution provided when streaming from my phone to my home HiFi DAC or my Dragonfly Red.

One of the only audiophile grade adapters out there. I've tried them all and this is the best-sounding of the heap. Looks sleek too. Relatively good build quality. Only complaint is that it doesn't consistently make contact with the ground contact with all usb-A cables - something's a hair off in the tolerances there (unless the USB standard's tolerances or insufficiently tight to guarantee compatibility?).

If you own any other AudioQuest products, you won't be disappointed. This design is BETTER than previous designs because the smaller barrel around the C end easily fits in the hole of the protective case for my phone (Samsung S10).From the phone, playing USB Audio Player Pro, to the DragonTail, to a JitterBug, to a DragonFly Red, to Moon Audio Bronze cable, to JH Audio JH 11 Pro IEMs, the sound is sublime.I saw other reviews and contacted AudioQuest for clarification on the design. I have an original DragonTail (A to A), so I can personally attest to the accuracy of what they say:"The thickness of the previous jacket on the previous DragonTails does not mean the newer jacket on the newer DragonTail is lower quality. The conductors inside are still the same SEMI-SOLID 5% SILVER CONDUCTORS. We have added strain reliefs that the previous cables did not have. Also the bulk of the previous barrels on the connectors were not necessary. The new DragonTail USB-C is actually an improved design over the previous DragonTails."

Works very nice. I think there's a lot of marketing that goes into it... I noticed nothing fancy in terms of sound quality. What I do like is that you have the comfort of plugging a Dragonfly into a brand name adapter which you know won't ruin your device, which is why this is 5 stars for me. It is slim enough that most people will not need to remove their phones case to use it, which is my most common issue with cases and cables. Overall: Overpriced but very nice as always.

I just ordered another one today. It fits in my case, and works flawlessly with any USB-A appliance, like Dragonfly which I have I use it with a digital microphone where it is also flawless. Worth the money.

Works well to connect Dragonfly Red to new MacBook Air with M1 chip. With an easy to drive headphones - SONY MDR V6 the headphone out on the Mac is rather underwhelming. The Red steps in and makes these headphones alive with dynamics, transparency and a very solid bass. At $30.00 this is rather expensive dongle cable. At this point Audioquest should have Drangonfly with the USB C already built in. Hello Audioquest - its 2021!!!