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

If AK100ii hadn't have that speshual mid-centric mellow with UERM, I wouldn't have purchased it. It's a surprising combo effect to say the least.

And I just realized that I was retarded to not remembering I have a GOV2 lying in my drawer and not to use it with my Andromeda. I'll do it tonight and report back.

 

i bet it was the tinsel cable. the litz seems better from what i've heard from folks using it.

 

I believe that was the Tinsel cable. The litz from what I remember is much more ergonomical, although a bit more bulky.

 

Some preliminary thoughts about GOV2+Andromeda, chain is MacBook Pro Audirvana+ ----->GOV2 (low gain, SE, blue filter if that matters) -----> Andromeda.

This chain seems to have eliminated some top tilt observed on AK100ii. Some (extra?artificial?) air was cut and some weight&warmth has been added to the rest of the spectrums. Funny thing about bass. In comparison with Black Diamond, bass impact is somewhat reduced (but remaining to be some of the most powerful -in a BA sense of course- I've heard in IEMs), but the timbre is improved somewhat - almost DD-like. Almost. Some better macro detail delineation may have been a function of A+, a truly outstanding player. I assume sparrow will be very please with this chain.

 

I'm thinking of getting ZX2/Andromeda as well... but I'm also interested in hifiman player + Andromeda combo, has anyone tried HM 802/901 with Andromeda?

 

Anyone here try the Lotoo PAW Gold with Andromeda? DAP looks pretty interesting.

I'm in the same boat, probably gonna end up going with the ZX2/Andro combo but also curious about the HM901s and Lotoo PAW Gold.

 

It was long time ago, but I do remember being quite disappointed with the HM901 (balanced card) with the NT-6 PRO, but the HM901s is supposed to be an improvement. VentureCraft GO DAP DD Limited 12V (MUSES02) with Wagnus amp hit it out of the park, but got tired of carrying a triple stack on the go.

If enough people are curious about the Lotoo PAW Gold, I might bite the bullet and get one to contribute to a shootout.

My gripe with DAPs like the hm901 and paw gold is the lack of access to Spotify, tidal, etc.

 

Agree that Hifiman UI&design are fugly. I'm not a fan of Bian, neither am I a fan of their "Amp card" marketing scheme, but if their player + the right option produces better quality over other factories at the same price range, I'd still consider Hifiman as an option.

 

My dream DAP would just be a Sony ZX2 phone, imagine a xperia phone but with the audio prowess of the ZX2. The demand for that kind of product is too low so sadly it'll never happen, one can dream though...

 

I have HM901S with balanced card in my possesion right now, and I've owned HM801 in the past (twice..LOL).

In my opinion, HM901S is a strong contender as a one of the best DAP on the market right now (SQ wise only) along with QP1R, Lotoo Paw Gold, Onkyo, PCM-D100 and (maybe) ZX2 (Sorry Marv, i need to re-evaluate this and make sure that all the DSP all turned off)

I have a several occassion to compare them out side by side at quite long listening session with some of my local audio fans...and heres my quick impression (SQ wise only) :

QP1R
QP1R wins in term of treble texture and extention which is the area that QP1R good at...and beats all of the DAP I've mentioned above in comparison..
But the main weakness is their Bass, kinda bloated and lack of texture.

Onkyo DP-X1 (Balanced and ACG mode)
I still can hear the "digitus" problem in this DAP, and sound slightly dull on upper region. Treble texture not quite natural and sounds a bit brittle, lack of body. Seriously, if you compared the onkyo with the other "bigboys", onkyo only wins in term of UI only

Lotoo Paw Gold
The main strong point from this DAP is their capability to render the music with a such beautiful tones, so natural without sounds overly boring. But the main weakness is their staging capabilities which is very narrow but have a very good depth, this effect make the stage form like a catwalk stage or tunnel like. No complaints about their tonal balanced, which is quite balanced and no noticeable weaknesses on bass, mid or treble section.

ZX2 (DSP on)
"All about that Bass" type of sounding...bass everywhere and sounds very muddy and dark..i need to give it more try with DSP turned off like Marv said.

PCM-D100
Quite contrary from Sony house sound known for, this DAP is absolute BRUTAL, very transparent, very unforgiving with a "fucked up" recording material. Very neutral sound signature. Not so good staging capabilities but still retain a realistic stage, no "tunnel" oddness like in LPG.

HM901S (Balanced amp card)
My first suggestion when you try this DAP, stay away from SE connection if you know that Balanced amp card is attached.
Using balanced amp card on SE connection all you hear will be a mediocre sound quality with "cramped" dynamic range and sounds overly creamy and warm..altough is quite good to tame the peakiness in EX1000, but in my opinion its just sounds like ibasso DX90's SQ level.
But if you have a TRRS plug and run on balanced, this is the real game begin...not as dark as SE, and become more balanced in overall tonal balance (with slight of warmth). this is one of the best bass I've ever experienced from DAP, so natural with impecabble bass impact and decay (not too long like QP1R's bass decay), wonderful mids and acceptable high (just so-so, nothing special but nothing bad either)...overall this DAP sounds "analog" despite using (two) ES9018S dac chip, theres no "sabre glare" at all.
Still need to try with Minibox Gold amp card (SE) that a lot of people says that this amp card is very good also, one of my friend owned it and say that this amp card improved the HM901S treble.

 

You should consider putting this in the best DAPS thread, it's useful. Also, just curious what transducers were used in your analysis (if not just Andromeda)

 

Thank you..

For the transducer, I use my own IEMs which are Fitear TG334 (reterminated with TRRS balanced jack), Etymotic ER4B (also reterminated with TRRS balanced jack), Sony EX1000 (SE/stock) and Ocharaku Kaede II (SE/stock).

 

Thanks for the comparison! Definitely interested in your thoughts on the ZX2 (with dsp turned off) vs the Lotoo Paw Gold. Currently debating whether it's worth the extra dough to get the LPG over the ZX2.

 

I will give some updates when i can get the opportunity to try the ZX2 again with DSP turned off..

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Griffon. I might at some point try the GOV2, but I only use my MBP as a source with my HD800s (or HD600s) with the Violectric V200 (and onboard DAC), and that is not often; I’d say a good 90% of my listening is using a DAP (the AK240 for the last couple of years).

Interesting, though, that your latest impressions (GOV2>MBP>Andromeda) seem to match mine, or at least seem closer to what I'm hearing. Don’t know if the AK240 is a ’SBAF/CS-approved’ DAP, but the AK240/Andromeda combo really sounds great.

 

I forgot that I hate dealing with Comply tips. I'll have to see how the silicone tips sound this evening.