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

For the Andromeda, is the iPhone 6S more than sufficient as a player or do I have to invest in something like the AKJr. FWIW, I own the Fiio X5 2nd gen.

Thanks

 

Sheraton? Don't let the weather stop you from checking out the Vivid event in Sydney tonight. It's right on your doorstep and is usually pretty good...

Out of interest, how do you find Mojo with Andromeda? I need to buy a transportable solution in the next two weeks for use with my laptop and it doesn't seem like my V2+ will arrive in time (if ever)...

 

I personally do not necessarily put Jr superior over AK100ii, I think they serve different tastes (thus sidegrades). However I felt AK120ii was apparently worse than both 100ii and Jr.

Could you please try Andromeda out of the balanced out of AK100ii?

 

The stock Litz SE cable with the Andromeda has slightly more dispersed imaging and clarity out of an HTC 10 (no headphone enhancements enabled or whatever) than out of the GOV2 Inf (low/default gain & FRM, JRMC 21 no eq), which was quite surprising. The mid-bass is more bloomy out of the HTC 10, though. I still prefer the balanced Tinsel cable with the Andromeda out of the GOV2 Inf, as I like the mid-bass more taut but still prioritize imaging and clarity.

For my taste: Tinsel bal. + GOV2 Inf > Litz SE + HTC 10 > Litz SE + GOV2 Inf

 

When he was forced to be indoors and didn't bring his vinyl.

 

It has been my experience the Mojo sounds smother and warmer when the optical input is used instead of the USB micro input and this may reduce the digital prickles and grain referenced in your chart (though, yes, I generally agree digital prickles and grain is an inherent characteristic of all Chord FPGA designs). Rob Watts seems to have confirmed my observations about the smoother sound of the Mojo's optical input when he wrote, "If you can do it, use the optical, as this usually sounds the best and is completely isolated. Optical has a undeservedly poor reputation, as it sounds much smoother and darker than other inputs..." You also made an astute observation that Mojo is warmer than the Hugo.

I have to hand it to Ken Ball, his first foray into IEM's with Campfire Audio seems to be a big success-- not easy to do what he pulled off.

 

Alo should make a DAP to pair with its IEMs. Something with a nice DAC and low power amp that would let them hit the perfect portable sweet spot between size and battery life without compromising sound.

Edit: Looks like they tried to get into DAPs.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/805107/cam...s-hello-andromeda-and-nova/1215#post_12607409

 

With the major exception of Apple's laptops, which make up a substantial portion of the high-end laptop market. Not that that really matters; I just wanted to point it out.

 

@Marvey,

interested in your thoughts... when you have amps / dacs / etc, with so many components from so many vendors and hours and hours of production lead time (e.g. EC BW, Gungnir Multibit, etc.).... how do you see the price of iems like the andromeda that are almost of the same price ?

 

Holy shitballs, Currawang agrees with Marv about something .

"I've been listening a bit through my iPhone to the Andromedas. Personally, I find the best tonal balance comes with sources, such as the iPhone and Soundaware M1, that cause a slight reduction in mid-bass, though listening to Trombone Shorty just now I can't say I at all mind the bass kick. I could clearly make out the difference in clarity between my iPhone 6+ and a Mojo with them. While I did get a bit of electrical noise when the music wasn't playing, I didn't get any hiss from my iPhone."

http://www.head-fi.org/t/805107/cam...s-hello-andromeda-and-nova/1290#post_12618894

 

I really must thank Señor Marvey (and someone else who shall remain nameless who got their set before Mr Marvey) for bringing the Andromedas to my attention.

Señor Marvey’s description of the Andromeda is absolutely spot on, so there isn’t much I can add (FWIW, I also own the UERM, HD800 & HD600 and a few other phones), except that I’ve not heard the Jupiter, which Mr Marvey has described as more analogue than the Andromeda — one of the first things that crossed the sparrow’s mind when he first heard the Andromeda (with his AK240) was precisely how analogue it sounded (analogue being a term the sparrow does not appreciate as he thinks it’s often abused and misused on HF) — can the Jupiter sound more analogue without it seeming a little too dark/warm, I wonder? I prefer the Andromeda with my AK240 than my 128GB 5G (or is it 6G now?) iPod Touch.

I have to add that, before the Andromeda, my favourite phone was the $30 Fostex tn-02n (with blu-tack mod), courtesy of a good friend who goes by the name of Mr Uncool.

(A pleasant surprise to notice that all of God Currawong’s recent posts on the Andromeda thread on HF have been largely ignored)

 

Sparrow! Good to see you back!