Home Automation Designs 專訪 AudioQuest DragonFly Copper

 

原文網址：https://www.audioquest.com/blogs/news-reviews/home-automation-designs-meets-dragonfly-copper

翻譯：Gemini  編輯：巨禮小編

 

 

To celebrate the launch of DragonFly Copper, the latest edition to AudioQuest's award-winning series of portable USB DACs, AudioQuest dealer, Home Automation Designs, got in touch with designer Gordon Rankin and Senior Director of Engineering Garth Powell to learn more about what makes Copper shine.

為了慶祝 AudioQuest 獲獎無數的便攜式 USB DAC 系列最新力作——DragonFly Copper 的隆重登場，AudioQuest 經銷商 Home Automation Designs 特別專訪了主設計師 Gordon Rankin 與工程資深總監 Garth Powell，深入探討這款 Copper（銅蜻蜓）能脫穎而出的關鍵奧秘。

 

HAD: DragonFlys Black and Red were released in 2016. DragonFly Cobalt followed three years later. Why did it take nearly seven years to release a new model?

HAD：DragonFly Black（黑蜻蜓）與 Red（紅蜻蜓）於 2016 年發表，三年後推出了 DragonFly Cobalt（藍蜻蜓）。為什麼這次花了近七年才推出新機型？

 

Gordon Rankin: Well, we had expected the product to arrive much sooner. We had been in development for some time when COVID hit and everything kind of halted, creating a pretty big gap in development.

Gordon Rankin： 其實我們原先預期這款產品會更早問世。在研發進行一段時間後爆發了疫情，導致所有工作幾乎陷入停擺，才使得開發時程出現了相當長的空白期。

 

When we started again, the plan for the next-generation DragonFly was very specifically focused on creating a more powerful version of what already existed. The project was codenamed “Ruby,” and, like Black, Red, and Cobalt, it would be an MQA renderer, which significantly impacted many of the project’s design criteria.

當我們重啟計畫時，下一代 DragonFly 的藍圖非常明確——旨在打造一款比現有產品更為強悍的升級版。該專案代號為「Ruby（紅寶石）」，且如同 Black、Red 與 Cobalt，它原本規劃為一款 MQA 渲染器（MQA renderer），這對專案的許多設計標準產生了重大影響。

 

But then MQA pretty much went away, and the Ukraine war started, both of which altered our course. Ukraine supplies a huge number of natural resources that were used in discrete components in all the DFs, which are now unavailable, so we had to source new parts and reconsider our design goals and development strategy.

然而隨後 MQA 格式幾乎走向消亡，同時烏俄戰爭爆發，這兩件大事改變了我們的方向。烏克蘭供應了大量用於所有 DragonFly 系列分立元件中的天然資源，這些原料當時變得無法取得，因此我們不得不重新尋找新零件，並重新考量設計目標與開發策略。

 

HAD: How did the streaming industry’s move away from MQA impact DragonFly Copper’s development process?

HAD：串流音樂產業逐漸告別 MQA，這對 DragonFly Copper 的開發過程產生了什麼影響？

 

GR: A USB DAC basically takes byte frames as they come, then converts that data to a 32-bit buffer that is next converted to I2S and finally sent to the DAC chip.

GR： USB DAC 的基本工作原理是接收傳入的位元組資料幀（byte frames），接著將資料轉換為 32-bit 緩衝區，再轉換為 I2S 訊號並最終傳送至 DAC 晶片。

 

With MQA, you couldn’t just convert — you had to process each frame received by the Host to determine whether it’s MQA or just standard PCM. If MQA was identified, then you had DSP responsibilities to process the data. That requires a processor with more guts, which then means more power drawn from the Host (over USB).

然而在處理 MQA 時，你不能只是單純進行訊號轉換——你必須處理從前端主機（Host）接收到的每一個資料幀，以判定其為 MQA 還是標準 PCM 格式。一旦識別出 MQA，微處理器就必須負擔 DSP 的運算任務來處理資料。這需要運算效能更強悍的處理器，也意味著會從前端主機（透過 USB）抽取更多電力。

 

Removing MQA from the product-development mandate opened new possibilities for the parts we could use and how they could be applied.

從產品開發規格中取消 MQA 後，為我們在零件選用及應用方式上開闢了全新的可能性。

 

HAD: From a technological standpoint, what makes DragonFly Copper a meaningful success over previous models? Is it new parts, new implementations of old parts, or some combination of both?

HAD：從技術角度來看，相比先前的機型，DragonFly Copper 取得顯著成功的原因為何？是採用了全新零件、舊有零件的新應用，還是兩者的結合？

 

GR: It was pretty much a restart.

GR： 這基本上算是一次砍掉重練。

 

Removing the Fly’s ability to render MQA meant there would be less DSP work in the processor, so we could use one that required less power.

移除 DragonFly 的 MQA 解碼渲染能力，意味著處理器內部的 DSP 運算工作減少了，因此我們能改用功耗更低的微處理器。

 

One of the biggest requests we received from customers was for more headphone power, so we approached ESS and they delivered the ES9218 — an integrated DAC/headphone combo. This gave us two times the headphone power of any previous DragonFly and lots of nice digital filters that we used in Cobalt.

我們收到來自客戶最大的需求之一就是「希望耳機輸出功率更大」，因此我們聯繫了 ESS，他們為我們提供了 ES9218——這是一顆整合了 DAC 與耳機放大器的單晶片方案。這使我們獲得了以往任何 DragonFly 兩倍的耳機輸出功率，同時也保留了我們在 Cobalt 上所採用的多種優秀數位濾波器。

 

But the big-time component was finding capacitors that were exceptional for the job. You can read data sheets all day long but to get things in a place that really exceeded Cobalt required concentrated testing and significant changes in board layout.

但最關鍵的突破是找到性能極其卓越的電容。你可以整天研讀規格表（data sheets），但要讓聲音表現真正超越 Cobalt，需要進行密集專注的測試以及對電路板佈局（board layout）進行大幅度改動。

 

HAD: DragonFly Copper features a beautiful copper-plated case informed by the RF-draining barrels of AudioQuest’s Mythical Creature interconnects. In Copper’s development process, which came first — the model name or the copper-plated case?

HAD：DragonFly Copper 採用了靈感源自 AudioQuest Mythical Creature（神獸系列）訊號線導出射頻干擾端子外殼的精美鍍銅外殼。在 Copper 的開發過程中，是先有產品名稱，還是先有鍍銅外殼？

 

Garth Powell: The case.

Garth Powell： 是先有外殼。

 

We knew from the development of our Mythical Creature interconnects that a linear material that’s highly conductive at radio frequencies, such as a thick, dipped-process copper plate, would afford the DragonFly circuits superior noise dissipation. The direct-plated copper is far more effective at draining away induced radio-frequency signals than polymer, brass, zinc, or aluminum.

我們從開發 Mythical Creature 訊號線時就已經知道，像採用厚浸鍍製程的鍍銅層這類在射頻頻段具備高度導電性的線性材料，能為 DragonFly 的電路提供絕佳的雜訊散逸（導出）能力。比起高分子聚合物、黃銅、鋅或鋁，直接鍍銅在導出感應射頻訊號方面的效率要高得多。

 

It’s a small detail, but one that is quite audible. And, of course, once the casework was settled, the model name became obvious.

這只是一個小細節，但對聽感的提升卻相當顯著。當然，一旦外殼設計確定下來，產品的名稱也就隨之呼之欲出了。

 

HAD: DragonFly Cobalt could not be unconditionally recommended for use with AudioQuest’s JitterBug USB filter. Why was this and what makes Copper different?

HAD：過去無法無條件推薦 DragonFly Cobalt 與 AudioQuest 自家的 JitterBug USB 濾波器搭配使用。這是為什麼？Copper 又有何不同？

 

GR: Cobalt contains some of the filtering technology featured in JitterBug, and it’s generally inadvisable to use two filters in series, so partnering Cobalt with JitterBug didn’t always produce desirable results.

GR： Cobalt 內部本身就包含了部分 JitterBug 所採用的濾波技術，而通常我們不建議將兩個濾波器進行串聯，因此將 Cobalt 與 JitterBug 搭配使用時，並不總能獲得理想的效果。

 

That isn’t the case with Copper. (Alright, pun intended.)

但 Copper 就不一樣了。（好吧，這裡玩了個雙關語。）

 

Copper is the quietest DragonFly we’ve ever produced, but even more noise can be rejected with the addition of a JitterBug.

Copper 是我們有史以來打造過背景最寧靜的 DragonFly，但如果再加上 JitterBug，還能進一步濾除更多雜訊。

 

HAD: Previous DragonFly models came equipped with a removable USB cap and offered various DragonTail USB extender cables as available options, but Copper comes without a cap and ships with its DragonTail USB-C adaptor attached. Why?

HAD：先前的 DragonFly 機型都配有可拆卸的 USB 保護蓋，並將各式 DragonTail USB 轉接線作為選配件提供；但 Copper 取消了保護蓋，並且在出貨時直接附帶預先連接好的 DragonTail USB-C 轉接線。這是為什麼？

 

GR: I think USB-C was set to become a global standard as defined by the European Union as far back as 2015. That of course didn’t happen, but it has pretty much been a staple for several years. The big problem of course is the dimensions of USB-C and the proximity to other ports. You really need a cable of some kind. There are also a lot of streamers and computers that still have USB-A connectors.

GR： 早在 2015 年歐盟規劃時，USB-C 就被看好會成為全球標準。雖然當時沒有立刻實現，但近幾年它確實已成為主流。最大的問題當然在於 USB-C 的物理尺寸以及與其他連接埠之間的距離過近，你確實需要某種延伸線材。同時，市面上仍有許多串流播放機和電腦保留了 USB-A 介面。

 

From a practical, real-world perspective, DragonFly owners often lost their units’ caps. And, as AudioQuest is always looking for ways to provide more for less, we figured doing away with the cap and having the DragonTail preinstalled was a simple way to give our customers what they really need while saving a small expense.

從實際使用的角度來看，DragonFly 的使用者經常弄丟保護蓋。加上 AudioQuest 始終在尋求「用更少成本提供更多價值」的方法，我們認為取消保護蓋並預先安裝好 DragonTail，是在為客戶省下小筆開銷的同時，直接提供他們真正所需之物最簡單的做法。

 

For those who want to connect their DragonFlys to a USB-A device, removing the DragonTail is a simple step — and the DragonTail remains a far more valuable, functional accessory.

對於想要將 DragonFly 連接至 USB-A 裝置的使用者而言，拔下 DragonTail 只是個簡單的步驟——而 DragonTail 依然是個價值更高且功能強大的配件。

 

HAD: DragonFly forgoes a volume knob, buttons, touchscreen, or other method to manipulate volume level, choosing instead for volume to be controlled by the source device. Why?

HAD：DragonFly 放棄了音量旋鈕、按鈕、觸控螢幕或其他控制音量的手段，而是選擇由前端源頭裝置來控制音量。為什麼？

 

GR: First, DragonFly negotiates with the Host, informing it that it has its own internal volume control. Giving control to DragonFly means the Host will deliver bit-true music to the DragonFly.

GR： 首先，DragonFly 會與前端主機（Host）進行通訊協定協商，告知主機自己具備內建的音量控制功能。將控制權交給 DragonFly，意味著主機能向 DragonFly 傳送位元完美（bit-true / 源碼輸出）的音樂訊號。

 

Sure, you could add volume control knobs and touchscreens, but those are both easily broken and require more power.

固然可以加上音量控制旋鈕或觸控螢幕，但這些零件既容易損壞，又會消耗更多電力。

 

HAD: With so many competing units offering the ability to play up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution, why do you continue to limit DragonFly’s resolution to 24/96?

HAD：在眾多競品紛紛提供高達 32-bit/384kHz 播放規格的情況下，為什麼你們依然將 DragonFly 的解析度限制在 24bit/96kHz？

 

GR: Simple: USB DACs that use High Speed USB draw between two to 10 times more power than going with Full Speed USB, which tops out at 24/96.

GR： 原因很簡單：採用 High Speed USB（高速 USB）的 USB DAC，其功耗是採用上限為 24bit/96kHz 的 Full Speed USB（全速 USB）的 2 到 10 倍。

 

Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. What happens when a USB DAC is processing 32/384 frames? Usually, the result is barely breaking 16/44.1 specifications. The current draw, the signal-to-noise ratio, the processing, the heat… it’s all throwing everything into the toilet.

能做得到，並不代表就應該去做。當一台 USB DAC 在處理 32bit/384kHz 資料幀時會發生什麼事？通常實際結果甚至幾乎無法突破 16bit/44.1kHz 的真實規格指標。電流消耗、訊噪比（S/N ratio）、運算負荷、發熱量……這些通通都會把整體表現搞砸。

 

Plus, a significant number of our customers use DragonFly with their mobile phones. Compared to a DAC running High Speed USB and 32/384 processing, Copper will not affect the phone’s battery much at all.

此外，我們有很大一部分客戶是搭配智慧型手機使用 DragonFly。與運行 High Speed USB 且處理 32bit/384kHz 的 DAC 相比，Copper 幾乎不會對手機電池續航造成負擔。

 

HAD: Who do you see as the ideal customer for DragonFly Copper?

HAD：您認為誰是 DragonFly Copper 的理想目標客戶？

 

GR: The greatest joy about working with AudioQuest and DragonFly is being in an airport or on a plane or wherever and seeing someone using one of the DragonFlys that I helped create.

GR： 與 AudioQuest 合作開發 DragonFly 最令人高興的事，就是在機場、飛機上或任何地方，看到有人在使用我參與打造的 DragonFly 產品。

 

The discussion around DragonFly’s versatility — the ways and places it can be used — is just amazing. Since I also design pro-audio equipment and work with musicians, I often get to share DragonFly with people in those worlds, and they are stunned by the output capabilities of the DragonFly line.

圍繞著 DragonFly 多功能通用性——即它的使用方式與場景——的討論簡直令人驚嘆。由於我也設計專業音響設備並與音樂人合作，我經常能向那些領域的人分享 DragonFly，而他們對於 DragonFly 系列的輸出驅動能力都感到無比震驚。

 

Most of these people have a lot of downtime and they say they use DragonFly while watching movies on the tour bus and as a production tool, working on and evaluating their music.

這些人大多數有許多等待或休息時間，他們表示會在巡迴巴士上看電影時使用 DragonFly，甚至將其作為音樂製作與評測聆聽的工具。

 

DragonFly takes any Host with a USB port to the next level, regardless of how it’s used, which makes it valuable to a wide range of listeners. I just love that.

無論如何使用，DragonFly 都能將任何帶有 USB 埠的前端裝置提升至全新境界，這讓它對廣大的聆聽群體都極具價值。我真的很喜歡這一點。