The DragonFly portable DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier series from AudioQuest has a long history, and now there is a brand-new flagship model: the DragonFly Copper.
It has been a long wait, but the new AudioQuest DragonFly Copper has finally arrived. The first DragonFly was introduced some 14 years ago, followed by the familiar Red and Cobalt versions, the latter having been on the market since 2019.
In terms of design, very little has changed. Like its predecessors, the DragonFly Copper features a USB-A connection and ships with a DragonTail adapter, allowing the USB-A dongle to be connected to USB-C devices. The new model will not become available until September, but when it does, it will take over as the flagship of the DragonFly range.
More Efficient Than Ever
The heart of the new Copper differs significantly from that of previous models. Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by a 32-bit ESS Sabre ES9218 DAC chip. AudioQuest also claims that output power has doubled compared to the DragonFly Cobalt.
Power consumption has been reduced as well, an important consideration for a portable device. According to the manufacturer, energy usage is 25 percent lower than that of the previous generation. The Copper also features RF shielding thanks to its copper-plated enclosure. Retained from earlier DragonFly models is the illuminated logo, which changes colour to indicate the resolution of the audio being played.
The AudioQuest DragonFly Copper made its public debut—where else?—at High End Vienna. As mentioned, the new model will be available from September at a retail price of €249.95.