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

Hi everyone, just joined so I could ask for some direction regarding these iem's.

I am looking at purchasing the andromedas, as I feel they are exactly what I have been looking for.

Right now, I play all my music through my Google pixel 2 xl, which doesn't have a headphone jack.

I am purchasing these headphones to use while writing, both at home and out and about.

So my questions are:

1. What would be the best way to power these headphones through my phone? I have seen people recommend the dragonfly red, but it seems to be a little hit and miss on using these with Android. I also have an old iPhone 6 that I can use as just a media player and I have heard good things with just using the headphones directly with the phone. But, if there is a way to get great sound through my pixel I would prefer it.

2. If I choose to use my iPhone 6 as a media player, is there anything else that would be recommended to use in conjunction, such as a portable dac?

3. A lot of people in this thread have talked about daps. What is a recommended dap for around 500 usd to pair with the phones?

I am sorry for the vague questions. My only experience with high end headphones are a pair of hd600's that I use with a cheap fiio dac. I am just wanting to purchase everything at once, and buy once cry once.

Any and all recommendations or opinions would be greatly appreciated. The atmosphere around here is a welcome sight after looking at other audiophile forums.

 

Your questions are not vague. You should instead be sorry for not following the rules and properly introducing yourself in the New Members thread (http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/) before you start shooting questions right off the bat.

To answer your questions,

1. The best way to power the Andromeda through your phone is to simply use your phone. Forget the Dragonfly Red or any dongles or portable DAC/amps that would be a PITA to carry around daisy-chained to your phone in your pocket. One of the most awesome aspects of Andromeda is that it doesn't them to sound great, in fact adding such gears to the chain could actually make things worse. The Andromeda responds exceptionally well to an output impedance of around 1-2 ohms, and it so happens that the iPhone 6 (which I also own) fits the bill. The iPhone 6 drives the Andromeda beautifully and is better than most portable stuff out there.

2. See above.

3. If you can find a used one for sale, the Sony NW-ZX2 is arguably the best DAP in the $500 range. Heck, it is one of the best DAP's for Andromeda regardless of price. I recently bought mine for around $450, so if you're lucky you could snatch one within your budget. The AK Jr is also a solid choice and is better than most of its shamelessly overpriced siblings (e.g. AK240).

I recommend you don't buy anything else until you try the Andromeda out of your iPhone 6. If you're happy with its sound, chances are you need not look any further. If your audiophilia nervosa starts creeping in, both AK Jr and ZX2 are safe bets that have been attested by many. Don't be a dotard and waste your hard-earned money on an expensive DAP or DAC/amp with an output Z that would screw up Andromeda's sound signature.

Actually, everything I answered above has already been said over and over again in this thread. Next time, do your homework and read before asking questions so that someone doesn't have to repeat the same answer.

 

Anybody have any experience with Campfire Audio's cable terminated in a lightning connector for newer IPhones. I had been planning to get an older model IPhone 6s+ with the idea I would buy the Andros in the next few months. But if their lightning cable is any good, I might prefer to have the newer model IPhone 8+. (My wife has this phone and it is an excellent, albeit arguably outdated form factor-wise for the price, phone).

 

Although I hate the Apple dongle, not sure the Litz lightning cable would be worth the price if it is not at least significantly better than that. However, CA litz cable also has option to include a mic and button controls. That would tip the balance for me so long as SQ was decent. And I would assume CA is not going to release something that is not at least as good if not better than the Apple dongle, but it would be great to get actual confirmation of this.

 

The Sony MUC-M2BT1 wireless necklace works pretty well with the Andromeda and Google Pixel which supports the LDAC codec for "effectively lossless" BT transmission. Depending on the tips you choose and the fit you get, you may or may not need hardcore earhooks.
https://superbestaudiofriends.org/i...ony-muc-m2bt-and-campfire-andromeda-iem.4644/

Also, try and audition before buying as the angular shape of the shells don't fit everyone's ears.

 

I'd like to ask the exact same questions to Mr. @KenBall as well.

As someone planning to buy Andros, the more I read about the OI the more I get hopeless for using Andros on the go with my iPhone 7 through the wonderful Kaisertone app. Originally I thought Mojo+Andro would be a dream combo. Now, not so much after reading through all these Mojo-bashing-ZX2-worshipping pages

 

@jexby Why nePlayer vs any of the other FLAC players on the App Store?

 

Thanks, I’ll look more into it!

 

‘Nicely done’ indeed @KenBall. I loved ‘andro green’ but cerakote feels so damn luxurious. Will it become the standard finish for your future IEMs?

 

I think cerakote was his standard for the BA series up until the Andro. Jupiter Orion etc all had cerakote.

 

all CFA BAs in their MK.1 guise were minus cerakote, andro mk1 minus bead blasting, andro mk2 were bead blasted, then cerakote was introduced to the mk 2 BAs from Orion to Jupiter (aka name followed by CK), various special edition andros for hk and jpy also have CK.

 

Any chance you've compared the ALO Lightning to the Nano iDSD BL? With how close you found it to the GO2Pro, it would be interesting how the Nano stacks up. Especially considering the $50 price difference, and the huge convenience of the ALO cable.

 

Wanted to let me hairdresser try the Andros. CA really didn't take female Asian ears into account in the design of the shells.

 

Player Seducing hairdressers with TOTL IEMs!

 

...what did you tell her? "Hold on, gonna take a picture of the Andros on you for the online cat-obsessed forum?"

 

I told her I had to take a picture to show her what they looked like on her, and because the fit was so hilarious.

 

Has anyone had any experience with using the Campfire Audio IEMs (with the Andromeda style housing) and full-face motorcycle helmets?
Looking to pick up an IEM (probably more likely to be the Orion or something similarly priced), however, it would be great if it fit under my helmet for the highway commute to work.