DragonFly Firmware Updates

An Important Note to DragonFly Cobalt Owners:

At this time, there is no need to download our Desktop Device Manager or attempt to update your device.

Your DragonFly shipped from the factory fully compatible and ready to be used with Apple iOS mobile devices, Android smartphones and tablets, and Mac and Windows PCs. (In some cases, Android devices will require a third-party app in order to support USB audio output. For more info, see “For Use with Android Devices” in your Flight Manual.)

With the release of the first firmware update for DragonFly Cobalt, the Desktop Device Manager will be activated. Until then, the Desktop Device Manager is intended for use with our Beetle Toslink-Bluetooth-USB DAC and DragonFlys Black and Red.

As a fully functional MQA renderer, your DragonFly is ready to unfold and play MQA files through the Tidal music-streaming service. If you have a Tidal Master account and want to enjoy the full benefits of Tidal Master (MQA) files through DragonFly, simply adjust your Tidal playback settings:

Update Tidal Playback Settings on MacOS

Click on your profile name (located in the top left corner of the Tidal desktop application)

  • Choose “Settings”
  • Select “Streaming”
  • Under “Streaming Audio Quality,” select “Master”
  • Make sure that your DragonFly is selected for Sound Output
  • Beside “Sound Output,” click “More settings”
  • Select “Use Exclusive Mode”
  • Make sure that “Passthrough MQA” is not selected
  • iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro
  • Click “My Collection” (the heart icon; located in the bottom right of the mobile app)
  • Click the gear wheel (located in the upper right)
  • Scroll down and click “Streaming”
  • Set WiFi to “Master”
  • Set Cellular to your desired option, noting that streaming hi-res with MQA will require a relatively large amount of data
  • Make sure “Optimized playback” is enabled
  • Start at a very low volume and gradually work your way up to a comfortable level

Update Tidal Playback Settings on Windows
  • Click on your profile name
  • Choose “Settings”
  • Select “Streaming”
  • Make sure that your DragonFly is selected for Sound Output
  • Beside “Sound Output,” click “More settings”
  • Select “Use Exclusive Mode”
  • Start at a very low volume and gradually work your way up to a comfortable level

Update Tidal Playback Settings on iOS, iPhone, iPad Pro
  • Click “My Collection” (the heart icon; located in the bottom right of the mobile app)
  • Click the gear wheel (located in the upper right)
  • Scroll down and click “Streaming”
  • Set WiFi to “Master”
  • Set Cellular to your desired option, noting that streaming hi-res with MQA will require a relatively large amount of data
  • Make sure “Optimized playback” is enabled
  • Start at a very low volume and gradually work your way up to a comfortable level

Update Tidal Playback Settings on Android

For Android playback, we recommend the USB Audio Player Pro media player by eXtream Software Development. USB Audio Player PRO Version 5 now supports audio from Google Music, Tidal (including Tidal Masters), Qobuz, and Shoutcast, and includes an MQA Core Decoder, which will unfold MQA streams from 44.1/48kHz to 88.2/96kHz and can be combined with DragonFly for further unfolding of even higher sample rates. To ensure the best performance, customers who own earlier versions of UAPP should upgrade to the latest version.

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