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

+1 to the well done.
more bullfrog please.

 

To follow up on this, I can doubly confirm that the Andromeda has better clarity and separation than the UERM. Don't get me wrong, I still love the UERM, but the UERM has a bit of a veil, like something threw a light blanket over everything, While this deleterious effect can be somewhat lessened with a more powerful amp, it never totally goes away. On the other hand, the Andromeda has a clarity similar to that of the UE4, but with greater detail and resolution.

It's hard getting a total grasp on the tonal balance of the Andromeda because it is so sensitive to source impedance. From most typical pocket portable sources, the Andromeda will have a tiny bit more treble (including air) and bass extension / foundation that the UERM, and it does so without making the midrange sound scooped. In fact, the mids are still the highlight of the show. I still stand by my previous assertions that those who want more of that more laid-back speaker type of sound to go with Jupiter.

I've been testing three portable sources: iPhone 5, Sony X Walkman, and AK100ii. Moto X was too noisy and Samsung S6 sounded "off", so I'm not counting them. The Andromeda (like the UERM) from the iPhone 5 was warm sounding but with a brittle treble that got to me over time. I don't want this to discourage people from using the iPhone as I am very sensitive to digititus. The AK100ii had the same tonal response as the iPhone, but with no treble issues. However, the AK portables with the Cirrus chips sound too delicate for my tastes; or to to put it more blunty, too flat and boring. The Sony X, with anything other the noise-cancelling earbuds it comes, with are usually underpowered, resulting in a warm and soft sound. However, the Sony has no problem with the Andromeda because of the IEM's high sensitivity. Most people think of the Sony portable stuff as being warm and soft sounding, but that only happens when its powering something it shouldn't. Otherwise, I think the Sony X is neutral, but with smooth treble akin to gear. It was actually nice that I didn't have to lug around the Leckerton on top of it as I usually do with the UERM.

The downside to the Sony X is the slight hiss (although much lower than from Moto X). It should be noted however that many of my recordings (e.g., Nirvana Unplugged, various LFF remasters, etc.) have tape hiss louder than the inherent hiss of the Sony X Andromeda combination. And if you are on a plane, then it really wouldn't matter. The Andromeda isolates no less well than the UERM, but there is still some leakage, especially if on a plane. To add, the iPhone 5 has a minute level of hiss as well; but it's at such a low level that I almost need to strain to hear it.

Finally, the Sony X, because of its higher output impedance*, results in the Andromeda having a leaner more neutral signature more akin to the UERM. I was totally fine with this on my flight from LAX to Melbourne, even with this bright Erasure remaster I was listening to. But I have since resorted to a one notch bass boost and one notch cut at 2.5kHz. Of all the portables, I've decided to stick with the Sony X because it has the most spacious and lively dynamic sound - and most importantly has a smooth treble that doesn't induce headaches.

*Contrary to the misinformation from some other sites on the Internet, the Sony portable class D output Z is not near zero. It's definitely higher than the Z out of the iPhone and AK100ii, at least for the X Walkman. This a good reason why stuff should be measured, and not inferred via the technology used.

 

Wrong thread.

 

Yup. AK100ii. Courtesy of @Will I believe. CT convinced him to loan it to me for the trip. It's a good pairing with Andromeda and competitive with the Chord Mojo, but slightly differently sound between them (and also, Mojo isn't a pocket player).



Weather in Sydney sucks today (I wish it was yesterday's weather!) so I am slumming it indoors.

 

I like the Ak Jr. more than the AK100 mkii or the AK120 mkii

 

I do too. Wolfson DAC chip (generally superior to Cirrus) in AK Jr. Forgot to mention that. Output Z same at 2 ohms. Superior sound quality of AK Jr. was immediately noticeable during direct comparisons with AK100ii, AK240, AK380, etc.

 

I really admire your patience and willingness to listen to so much shitty gear. I mean, I'm sure some of these DAPs are good and all, but with how saturated plus fluid that market's been, I've given up keeping tabs on it.

What I'm trying to say is, your efforts are appreciated.