Campfire Audio Andromeda Review: Holy Cow, This is a Dream, Awesomesauce!

I think part of my mental block is that DAPs were always seen as keep for a few years and replace, similar to how you replace laptops. If you're jumping from a standard iPod or equivalent DAP ($200 range maybe? I've actually never owned an iPod) ... to a $900+ retail DAP, it's a very strange jump. Suddenly you can't really afford to view the ZX2 as replaceable in the next 4 years in the same way DAPs were always viewed. Even with smartphones which serve as DAPs nowadays, you kinda view them as replaceable every 4 years or so. It's just a very strange and very niche place to be ... these high end DAPs. They are more niche than CIEMs and more niche than portable amps/dacs. The niche of niches.

 

"Who buys (xxx) anymore?"

That logic can be applied to (for example) $1,100 IEMs as well. Phones are adequate for common headphones (Beats, Bose, Jaybird, etc.). The cost of being niche.

And I have to disagree that high-end DAPs are more niche than portable DAC/amp. If you're comparing Fiios, yes. But how many people are carrying Mojo/ALO tube amps around?

 

Its true that daps are niche quite niche because most people would never buy one, yet alone any audiophile gear. I would say the whole audiophile community is extremely niche. You will realize most people's search for audio gear will end around bose. Once they are satisfied, they will not look further. Even 300 dollars for the qc headphones are a stretch. The clientele that usually buy hi-end stuff don't usually care about budget. They are looking for simple all-in-one solutions that they can operate without a headache and looks aesthetically pleasing. Different priorities.

It may seem most in this community have heard lots of good gear and iems, but yeah I would say the andros are for ultra-enthusiasts.

Ipod was hot because it was a trend setter. You have to look at it in context of other technology around that time. Phones also were tiny and a lot of them were flip phones. I mean do you remember motorola rzer? the memory size was poor, getting music on it was a pita, and I remember a lot of phones back then didn't even have a headphone output. So people who wanted to listen to music on the go had to get ipods. Those 64 megabyte cowon players...then ipod comes...with gigs of storage, amazing ui and aesthetics. Computers back then were bricks, prone to crashing, slow to boot up(no ssd), low storage, and people were still buying CDs.

With the ipod, you can have 100s of cds in a handheld device that looked sleek, and functioned very intuitively.

That being said I do understand the dap dilemma. Its a steep price you pay to listen to music in a nonidea environment. But for some people who commute a lot or are constantly traveling, it maybe the best option. Be aware that large storage of daps along with sd card slots are now a must because of hi-res audio files.

You'll begin to realize the one thing that holds back all mobile devices isn't the technology, but power consumption/heat managament, and BATTERY. You can't have a portable device that runs like a desktop component, but lasts one hr.

As technology advances, I feel like daps will take over the audio market. I mean imagine a tube r2r dap with dac functionality....as an all in one....it'll be a while but one can only dream.

At the end of the day, people will pay for anything as long as there is quality. People are getting more into HIFI, moving away from mp3s. I don't see people skimping on car gps functionality in their cars because a iphone can do it. I don't see people ditching the Dslr/mirrorless cameras for the iphone camera any time soon.

 

I beg to differ on the car GPS portion of your post. I skipped the GPS option on my car because the $4000 technology/super stereo package it was bundled with, sounded like ass. I spent $2200 on car stereo gear and installed it myself (sound deadened the doors and trunk too). The sound quality of my car stereo is significantly higher than the "super techno package" option for much less.

iPhone GPS is killer too.

Oh yeah, back on topic, ANDROS RULE !!!

 

I don't disagree with your main point about DAPs, but the numbers about the digital camera market tell a very different story about people ditching conventional digital cameras for phone cameras: https://www.cinema5d.com/dslr-mirrorless-camera-market-shrinking-rapidly/

"It’s very clear that the glory days of photo cameras seem to be numbered—2010 marked the peak in numbers of cameras being sold overall, and in 2015, the total sales were less than ONE-THIRD of the total photo camera sales of 2010"

 

damn that's harsh. 1/3 of sales. I guess when I think dslr or mirrorless, I think of the upper end ilke nikon d810, sony a7rii, or canon mark IV. I wouldn't buy anything lower than a d500, which most people wouldn't buy anyway.

 

I remember a conversation between a Staples saleswoman and myself when returning A&K Jr.

Saleswoman (S): what's inside the package?
Me: MP3 player.
S: they're still around? *smirk*
My mind: good luck for your iPhone driving multi driver, multi crossover custom.

@Cellist88 actually cropped sensor format cameras sell more than full frame.

EDIT:
My first impression of WM1A paired with Andro reflects Marv's preference of less organic ZX2 over (too) organic WM1A. Probably also valid for other BAs.

 

Tried three DAPs before settling down to the ZX2. There is always that one synergistic combination and for the Andromeda, it's the Sony ZX2. That along with the PW audio cable (thanks @zerodeefex), the system is a keeper. FWIW, I got an used ZX@ with no volume cap for $450. Need to be patient about picking this up.

 

You need to have some nervosa to be an audiophile. Most people are happy around the "good enough" mark. Something like a VE Monks ($5!) or SoundMAGIC E10 is "good enough" for quite a lot of people. DSLRs etc are big, draw attention, and are status symbols - besides, most people leave it on auto (or use USB in audio terms), and shoot with the kit lens (listen with the stock/cheap earbuds). You still get a sizeable improvement (bokeh, ISO, AF speed for non flagship Samsung phones, etc) that is immediately apparent even for APS-C cameras over phones, but this is not so obvious with DAPs + IEMs (save for a few that you'd only buy if you're an audiophile anyway). Most phones do a good enough job that you don't really get an actual night and day difference. I have had friends that sell off their DX100s/DX200s/ZXs because their iPhone gets close enough.

 

Hi Arcadium.

Thats not solder, its just a burr on the inside of the hole from the CNC.

Ken

 

Hey Ken, thanks for letting me know . Crazy to see the actual owner of the company replying.

Out of interest, what tips is everyone using with their pair? I've found the stock foamies to be the best for me. The silicon tips seal too well and I find the air seal it creates uncomfortable. Plus the condensation Has anyone tried spinfits with theirs?

 

I don't get good comfort with spinfits, I use some translucent white silicone single flanges whose source I have no idea of (I have another set of the same size but no other sizes... wut?)

 

JVC Spiral Dots. They're silicone. Spin Fits' silicone is too thick (thus inflexible). Foamies are too bassy.

Perfect seal is actually desired. Any discomfort or painful/uneasy pressure is caused by pressure difference, not the seal. Try to equalize your ears after you achieve good seal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_clearing

 

Spiral dots here as well but I have also good seal with the silicone eartips provided in the box.
I have some concerns about humidity/condensation on the nozzle, it appears rather quickly and I'm afraid to damage my Andromeda... Any risk?

 

My hearing aids are still alive after 3 years of not using wax filters or dessicants (while living on the equator!) cause it kills the sound (and I got lazy to store with a airtight container for dehydrating). The drivers should be ok. I even exercise with them and was struck by sudden heavy rain with them before, no biggie.

 

I asked CA's support about the condensation issue. They had no idea what I was talking about and couldn't reproduce the issue. I guess no one there has moist ears like some of us do. I have concerns about condensation getting inside and damaging drivers, but there appears to be nothing for it but to dry them off well after use and maybe put a desiccant packet in the case with them.

 

I've been getting some condensation for the past 2 days. Coincidentally, I've been blasting my heater for the past 2 days as well. Room temperature is around 95F, while outside is around 45F. My guess:

1. You put them in your ears and create good seal
2. The body (ears) retains heat much much longer than aluminium Andro
3. The body warms the air & the seal keeps the warm air trapped (unless you continuously clear your ears)
4. The cold aluminum surface cools the trapped air
5. Voila, condensation on bores. I never notice any moisture on silicone tips (which should be if your ears are moist)

 

I sent Ken a message about this with pictures, I guess I'll understand
I'll keep you posted if by chance I have a reply