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

So can we get back to talking about Andro instead? I think LDAC talk can be in its own section? (and I'm also mighty interested in it either way, lossy or lossless, any improvement over the current BT transfer methods is sure to be a major improvement to me)

Pretty much the only thing missing in my Andromeda life is a wireless adapter, and then I think I'm set. Speaker-land is the next frontier. I'm really not wishing for more in a headphone or earphone at this point.

...and mighty considering getting a ZX2 because it seems it might be able to do LDAC as well. But it's like... Android 4 so need @zerodeefex to confirm for me if ZX2 will still get LDAC support.

 

This and other sites indicate ZX2 supports LDAC.
http://www.sony-asia.com/local/product/nw-zx2

At least they don't say "essentially Hi-Res streaming via LDAC".

@Bill-P You tried to bring the discussion back to the Andro, but got sucked back into the LDAC vortex in the end.

 

Looks like zero already confirmed the ZX2 uses LDAC.

 

Well I never used it but on the box it says it has LDAC. It's also on the features list here

It's Sonys old flagship walkman. Would be weird if it wouldn't support LDAC.

And, god, you won't be disappointed with the ZX2+Andro combo. I love it.

 

Yeah, just got ZX2 in. I gotta correct myself over a few things:

1. Don't know what got into me last time. I think I fucked up my ZX2 output impedance measurement. It's not 4 ohm like I previously stated. It's like 1.4-1.5 ohm or somewhere in the ballpark (potentially even lower with TRRS?). Definitely not high-ish. The ZX2 kinda "breaks" the whole "Andro needs about 3 ohm impedance" theory I had. It's definitely on the low side. Just measured AK120 again to make sure, and it's still about 3-3.3 ohm. I also need a much better DMM. TL;DR: don't trust my objective comments.

2. I previously assessed that ZX2 was "brighter" than AK120, but that was before I knew of the "disable sound adjustment" trick, which really does change the sound by that much of a margin. Now that I have my own ZX2 and have disabled the sound enhancement thing (why Sony why????), ZX2 is actually just about on par with AK120, but with more extension both top and bottom. Actually, too much on the bottom, even. Bass is still tight and detailed and layered and all that, but the sheer impact of each note is just way too over the top. Or else maybe I'm too used to my HD580 and any amount of bass is perceivably overwhelming in comparison. ZX2 to me now sounds almost a little U-shape, but not really, since AK120 has always sounded like it was a bit more mid-centric. ZX2 is not really "brighter" than AK120 with Andro now, but more like... more bass impact and cleaner treble? Also, it may just be me now, but ZX2 does sound like it digs a little deeper into the music than AK120. Dunno, need another day or two to compare on my Stax IEM and see, but so far, I'd say for Andromeda specifically, I think I'd prefer ZX2 for anything bass + instrument related, and AK120 for anything vocal-related, though ZX2 will still sound as good as AK120 for anything vocal (it's just that for some songs, the softer bass notes on AK120 bring more attention to vocals). Note: I'm also using the Ref 8 cable here. Maybe I should switch back to stock Litz cable and see... so that's on the agenda.

3. ZX2 with sound enhancement is weirdly a bit more hissy/cloudy to me. Without sound enhancement, hiss level is just about as much as AK120, which is to say... I didn't really notice it unless volume was super low and I was in a super quiet space. It's definitely lower than my iPhone for sure.

At this point, both are equally good with Andro for me. ZX2 is superior for detail-retrieval, build-quality (my AK120 is the Titan version so not really all that shoddy), UI (infinitely better than AK120), customizability (Android vs closed-down Linux-based thing), and even on sound quality (basically enhances upon AK120 in some key areas to me).

So there, first thoughts. Gonna get back to listening more.

 

Might be because you're coming from the AK120. Last time I heard the original was few years back, but it struck me as not the most impactful, which I attributed to the high-ish OI.

Not sure if having separate L and R grounds (TRRS mode) will affect OI though.

 

Greetings,

This is my very first post here on SBAF. I am very interested in the Andromeda as I have read as many reviews and posts as possible. I have a few questions that I have not been able to find in hopes someone may advise.

1. How well would the Andromeda's match with a Cowon P1. The P1 3 Ohms.
2. How well would the Andromeda's match with a Cowne Plenu D. The PD is 0.5 Ohms.
3. How well would the Andromeda's match with a LG V10? No idea what the Ohms is.
4. I keep reading mixed reviews about the mids. Are they recessed or forward? I love vocals and like them slightly forward.
5. I keep reading mixed reviews about the highs. Some say they are harsh others say smooth? With my above gear what is to be expected?
6. How much detail do the Andromeda's pull out of music? I adore extreme detail but smoothness at the same time.

The best IEM's I have at the moment are Final Audio VI and I enjoy all they accomplish being a single BA but I feel they are not detailed enough and shouty on some artists and definitely shouty at high volume.

I also have the Trinity Phantom Master 6 and they are very similar to the Final Audio VI but the mids are a tad recessed. I also have RE-600's but they are too but they are too bass light.

I don't care about more or less bass just more concerned about mids and treble how well the Andromeda's perform. I've read how the 64Audio U6 match them but I've never heard them but one review I read say they are matched. I've also read the UERM are a match also and or more detailed? Iv'e never heard anything over +600 IEM and do not have the ability to do so and fear putting down this much for something I've never heard and that is source picky.

So my overall question is that are the Andromeda's the end game or a risk? A 20% restocking fee is crazy steep also if a return is requested.

Help!

Thank you.

 

So what other IEM's have you heard?

Thank you.

 

1. Tried this. I didn't like the pairing. Too thin and bright-sounding (somewhat like iPhone 6+ but worse)

2. Also tried this. Bassy. Veiled, and still somewhat harsh. Not recommended.

3. Haven't tried this but I have tried Andro out of a bunch of phones (Blackberry, Samsung, HTC, OnePlus, Sony, etc...). iPhones are the best (least hiss, "okay" timbre), but still not able to compete with the "right" DAPs (AK120 or ZX2).

4. Neither. Depends on tips, I guess, but with foam tips, they're happy. With silicone tips, as Marv noted, filters should be used, or else you need one of the "right" DAPs. But "right" DAP with foam tips = best if comfort is not an issue. (foam tips hurt my ears depending on size) Either way, once you get the right setup, mid is just right. I'm pretty particular about midrange in all of my gears and Andromeda passes with flying colors when good fit and good source are achieved. UERM was previous champ for me, and right after UERM/Andromeda, there's also the Stax SR-001mk2 or SR-002 which I still do own. Stax has a bit more forward midrange and even then, Andro doesn't sound like it's losing anything in midrange to the Stax. Both Andro and UERM are very detailed, but if I have to pick one, I'd choose Andromeda because it has more bass articulation and impact to my ears.

5. P1 will be harsh, PD will be too rolled off/dark, and I'd guess LG V10 will be super hissy. You really need the "right" source for Andromeda. I don't think many have stressed enough the importance of this. The right source with Andromeda essentially makes them sound like they have the speed of the Stax IEM but with zero of the drawbacks. The difference is very very very big.

6. A decent amount, but they're likely not the kind of "details" you are thinking of if you think it's going to subtract from the listening experience. Andromeda is more detailed than most IEMs I have heard (the Stax is still one or two levels down, and UERM is close but bass too cloudy/light?), but it's not the kind that throws out harshness masquerading as "details". It's just going to show you what the source can do, so choosing a source that can pull the "right" kind of details is important. To a number of us here, ZX2 does that. I'd say AK120 also does it but it's not on the same level as ZX2.

So the answer to your overall question is...

First, you shouldn't question us. This sound unintuitive but... honestly, I think this is a decision you should only make if you are comfortable with the asking price of Andromeda (do realize that you need to pay extra for the source as well, and potentially a bit more for a cable), and then you can just purchase it to try for yourself and eat up the 20% restocking fee afterward with no qualm. This is not something you should jump into as an "all-in" last gamble thing. Go for Andromeda only when your budget allows it, and only when you can demo it for yourself. Honestly.

Second, you should realize from the above that it is a risk. You and I hear differently. To me, the IEMs you listed either sound too thin or too bright or too harsh/sibilant in one way or another. And yes, I have tried all of those, too. Therefore, I think it's pointless to ask us how Andromeda is. We can only afford you "oh, it's awesome" as a TL;DR answer because anyone who even bothers to respond in this thread loves Andromeda. And some, like me, are just tired of chasing the dragon in the market, as there really is no dragon from what we can see, and Andromeda gets "close enough" for an awesome price point. That's why we call it the "end-game". There sure are better to be had (I actually have heard better, too!), but you're going to have to pay way above this budget, and even then, the "improvement" is not worth it. To me, Andromeda sits somewhere between 95 - 98% of the absolute best IEM system I have ever heard, and that IEM system had like a one-of-a-kind Japanese artisan-made $2000 cable or something along that line.

Now, the thing is... again, if you have to stretch your budget just to get Andromeda, then I'd honestly say... "don't." Play around more, or go do some work, earn some money, eat instant noodles for the next 3 months like I did the last 6 months, and then get Andromeda with at least enough budget for either an AK120 ($350 street price as of this post and cannot be bought new?) or ZX2 ($600 street price as of this post if you buy used). It won't end with just the IEM. You need a whole system. Otherwise you might as well get anything else. For instance, I'd even say you could just get the Massdrop x Noble X for much less and pair it with the P1.

 

post of the year @Bill-P

 

Stupid question then @Bill-P or anyone. Why is only the AK120 is recommended? Why or what is wrong with the AK120II or even the AK240 or AK300?

 

Never heard the AK240, but the AK120II and AK300 can suck my royal ass. Dark claustrophobic muddy bassy presentation.

 

Ok I see. AK 100II is bad also? Thank you.

 

In line with AK120II, maybe a hair less on all technical fronts. I choose it to somehow compensate for the brightness of UERM. Also significant was the longer session's fatigue.

 

I really don't need or want a new player but according to Bill-P the Cowon's are not a match with the Andromeda. So....