AudioQuest DragonFly Copper USB Digital-to-Analog Converter

The Whole DAC Fits on Your Keyring

The DragonFly Copper is 57mm long, 19mm wide and 12mm tall. Inside that is a 32-bit ESS Sabre converter, a headphone amplifier and a 64-step digital volume control. It plugs into a USB port and replaces the weakest part of any laptop or phone.

AudioQuest quotes twice the output power of any previous DragonFly. That matters more than it sounds: the usual complaint about a dongle DAC is that it runs out of steam on anything demanding, and this generation was built to answer it.

The case is copper-plated, which is there to drain radio-frequency noise rather than to look expensive. A DragonTail USB-A to USB-C adaptor is in the box, so it reaches a modern laptop or phone without a separate purchase.

Headphones Now, Speakers Later

The volume control is the part people underestimate. With 64 steps handled in the digital domain, the DragonFly sets level properly rather than leaving it to your computer's own mixer, which is usually where resolution quietly disappears.

It is not only a headphone device either. The same output will feed a preamplifier, an integrated amplifier or a pair of powered speakers, so a desk system can be built around it and headphones simply unplugged when you want the room to hear something.

Sample rates run 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz. That covers CD-quality streaming, every service most people use, and the large majority of a typical download library without needing a driver or an app.

Who Is This DAC Best For?

• You listen mostly at a desk or on the move — a 57mm converter travels in a pocket, so the good sound goes where you are instead of staying on one shelf.
• Your headphones sound thin from a laptop — twice the output power of previous DragonFlies means demanding headphones get driven rather than merely fed.
• You want it to just work — it is powered by the USB port with no drivers, no app and no charging, and the USB-C adaptor is already in the box.
• You might build a desk system later — the output feeds a preamp, an amplifier or powered speakers, so the same little DAC grows from headphones into a room.
• Your library is 192kHz or DSD — the DragonFly Copper tops out at 96kHz, which covers streaming and most downloads but not the highest-rate files. If your collection lives above that, one of our desktop digital-to-analog converters will play it at full rate.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Plug it into a USB-A port, or use the supplied DragonTail adaptor for USB-C. Your computer or phone recognises it as an audio device on its own. Headphones go into the 3.5mm socket on the end.

To use it with speakers instead, run a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable from that same socket into a line input on your amplifier, and set the volume from the device it is plugged into.

Pairs Well With

Building around the DragonFly Copper? Here are some great companions:

• Headphones: The obvious first partner — see our Headphones.
• Interconnects: For running it into an amplifier — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Integrated Amplifier: When the desk system grows — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Bookshelf Speakers: The other end of that system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What converter is inside?

A 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chip, with the headphone amplifier and the volume control on the same silicon.

Which sample rates does it support?

44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz, which covers streaming services and the majority of download libraries.

Does it need a separate power supply?

It draws power from the USB port it is plugged into. And there is no battery to charge.

Will it connect to a phone or tablet?

Yes, over USB. The supplied DragonTail USB-A to USB-C adaptor covers most modern devices; older connectors may need the adaptor your device maker supplies.

Can I use it with speakers?

Yes. The output will feed a preamplifier, an integrated amplifier or powered speakers through a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable.

How big is it?

57mm long, 19mm wide and 12mm tall, in a copper-plated case that helps drain radio-frequency noise.

See It in Action

AV Atmos covers the DragonFly Copper launch:

And Cesar Audio Hifi takes one apart, with English captions:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about portable DACs, headphone matching, or desktop systems? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.