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AudioQuest has announced the latest version of its portable DragonFly USB DAC/headphone amplifier. Priced £229 and available from September, the DragonFly Copper replaces the brand’s previous Cobalt model, which launched in 2020. Upgrades include a new copper-plated chassis informed by AQ’s series of ‘Mythical Creatures’ interconnects, said to improve RFI rejection, and the use of an ESS ES9218 integrated DAC/headphone amp (instead of the Cobalt’s dual-chip design).

A new microprocessor has also been selected by designer Gordon Rankin that reduces power consumption by 25% – a move made possible by the device no longer needing to render MQA files. PCM sample rates up to 96kHz/24-bit are supported, with the DragonFly Copper again sporting a distinctive colour-changing LED to signify playback status. Supplied with the ultra-compact unit is a DragonTail adaptor for use with USB-C devices.