This Tiny Amp Will Breathe New Life Into Your Desktop Hi-Fi System

AudioQuest is a famed audiophile brand that has been making some of the best high-performance speaker cables since the early 1980s. However, since the company introduced its DragonFly series of thumb-sized DAC/amps in 2012, it’s become a big name in the portable hi-fi space, too.

Over the years, AudioQuest has released several different DragonFly models that all work the same: They plug into your computer or smartphone via USB, bypass its audio circuitry and deliver a cleaner, more natural signal to your wired headphones.

Now, with the DragonFly Copper, AudioQuest is introducing its most powerful and efficient model yet. It’s the first new model in the DragonFly series that the company has released in seven years.

AudioQuest DragonFly Copper

AudioQuest

Like its predecessors, the DragonFly Copper is a thumb-sized DAC and headphone amplifier that promises to improve the sound of your wired speakers (because your smartphone and computer’s built-in components are notoriously not great).

And it’s compatible with any smartphone or computer. It works with iPhones, iPads and Macs, as well as Androids and Windows PCs. AudioQuest ships it with a DragonTail USB-C adaptor, which costs $30 on its own, so it can work with both USB-A and USB-C devices.

AudioQuest

AudioQuest

A more powerful DragonFly

Of course, the Copper is positioned as the new flagship in AudioQuest’s DragonFly series. And compared to previous models (including the Cobalt, Red and Black), the Copper promises significant performance gains.

The most notable improvement? Power.

The DragonFly Copper promises twice the power output of any previous DragonFly models, meaning it should be able to drive more demanding wired headphones. (Note: AudioQuest has not unveiled exact wattage specs yet.)

AudioQuest

AudioQuest

The Copper also features a new 32-bit DAC and a slightly smaller processor, a combo that AudioQuest claims has given it a significantly more efficient design. Specifically, the Copper draws 25-percent less current than previous DragonFlys.

For those who plan on using the Copper with their smartphones, this more efficient design is a big deal because it means it won’t drain your phone’s battery as quickly.

Additionally, the Copper features a copper-plated case, a material with natural acoustic properties. AudioQuest explains that it helps drain unwanted frequencies away from the audio circuitry, resulting in a purer audio signal.

AudioQuest

Availability and pricing

The AudioQuest DragonFly Copper is available now. It costs $250.

Note: AudioQuest has officially discontinued both the DragonFly Black and Red models. The DragonFly Cobalt is still technically in production, but its price has dropped significantly. Priced at $350 when it was released in 2019, it now costs $200.

AudioQuest

AudioQuest DragonFly Copper

• $250 at AudioQuest
• $250 at Crutchfield

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