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

Ah, I didn't read that far.

 

Bill - Thank you very much for taking the time to spell it all out like this. You didn't leave much room for me to come back with quesitons since you covered it all. From a detail and clarity standpoint ZX2 sounds like the way to go but statements like this concern me for my listening preferences "Treble is significantly more relaxed, and in fact, it's actually even more relaxed than AK120 depending on the track (wow!)" As a fan of treble and a lover of my HD800S this sounds like I'd be going in the opposite direction. That said, varity is a good thing and verbal descriptions don't always align with the feeling you actually get from the sound. Plus my HD800S improved for my taste when I added tubes to the mix so maybe I like it more relaxed than I realize.

I will likely purchase the ZX2 through Amazon since I can easily return it if it doesn't work out. Out of curiosity, have you spent much time with the WMA1?

 

Ya know... I wish there were a thread like this for the Vega. One that is so dedicated and active. I've got to get all my good DAP/DAC/connection info from the Andro thread. I do much appreciate all of the devotion from you guys.

 

I have found that Iematch has a negative or deadening effect in Ultra, but not on High (or not enough for my ears to notice). That is balanced out of GO2A FWIW.

 

I find most recomendations and suggestions in this forum regarding Andromeda have been right on the money.
Here's the summary of what I have followed so far (in order of importance):

1. Buying brand new Andromeda. Not easy to find where I live, but I got lucky to get discounted price when I bought this at a Headphone Show.
2. Buying used Sony ZX2. Cost me around USD475 and it's a much better source compare to my Samsung Galaxy S7 and ipad.
3. Disable Sound Adjustment in Sony ZX2 (Settings->Apps->All (tab)->Sound adjustment->Force stop). This makes ZX2 less warm and thick.
4. Buying PWAudio No.5 TRRS cable. I prefer this cable compare to the stock one. Might be due to TRRS connection rather than cable material. It's more comfortable on my ears as well. Detail can be found on this link: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...r-litz-from-sony-zx2-w-ca-andromeda-iem.3245/
5. Buying T 400 small Comply tips. I like the small stock foam tips as well, but I find Comply tips more comfortable to my ears and I broke my small stock tips .

 

Better disable the whole app intead of just force stopping it.

 

Considering none of them pushing the older Cowon devices seems to have heard the distinct Cowon bass roll off, I wouldn't put stock in any of the reviews.

 

"The ZX2 battery leaves much to be desired" .

With regard to sound quality: they probably left the god awful sounds effects on

 

ROTFLMAO



Okay... but seriously though, *which* Audio Technica headphone? I have heard pretty much all of them, including the very very very old ones that almost nobody wants to take out of their homes. The one constant thing with them is: the sound signature varies so dang much that I think the random number generator built into my OS is more consistent.

A "methodical" test without mentioning which headphone was used? LOL

 

If you are using the zx2 for just music does it matter what version of Android or how good the screen is? The only thing important should be the sound and the battery life. For phone capabilities I have my actual phone.

 

For things like Roon.
Can't install it coz the damn thing is running an older version of android (4.4+ needed for Roon). That's a PITA.

Luckily, TIDAL still works on 4.2, but for how long?

 

@KenBall needs to make a @Hands version of the Andromeda with a dynamic driver. A non-metallic driver - maybe a bio-cellulose or paper.

 

This discussion is the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on the ZX2. Obviously it's a great pairing with so much support on that point from all of you on this thread, but it's hard to drop $1,100 (I'd rather buy new than used) on a unit that is 2 years old with out dated software. With the ZX2's warmer sound signature I'm inclined to buy the WM1A which is presented as the successor with improved sound quality as stated by many "official reviewers" (who probably aren't using Andros and are probably comparing to the ZX2 with all the crap left turned on so their opinion does not mean that much). The main reason I would go with the ZX2 is for Tidal support but if the outdated OS led to lack of future support I would be pretty pissed.

My question.... I primarily use Tidal and let roon upgrade the quality to the "max PCM rate" which makes a HUGE difference. I also have a handful of DSD albums I've downloaded from HDTracks but I gave up my physical CD collection years ago (when an entire trunk of disc was stollen from my house). I know this is a Andro thread but where do most of you get your downloadable music from beside ripping an actual CD? I'm just trying to figure out how much of a pain it will be if I do get the WM1A. Since I'm on my MAC 70% of the time the DAP will be a part time solution and I don't need a huge library of music to choose from.

 

If you're unsure, DON'T BUY IT !!!

RUN !!! DON"T WALK, and buy what ever you feel like.

 

If you care about which master it comes from, you're often forced to rip from CD (or play from CD/vinyl) by lack of good information from streaming/hirezaudiosite sites RE: the provenance of their offerings.

 

used ZX1s are much easier to find locally, often for a song (<$280 usd) any idea if it meshes well with the andros?

thanks

 

How is the pairing with the humble Sansa Clip?
I tried an Andromeda out of my Clip and was thoroughly impressed, but I wonder how much of the IEM's potential I was hearing.

 

Forget about ZX1. For that money go for Walkman A35.

 

am already using that lol, was just thinking of streaming and shit ...

yes +1 for a35, lovely device that plays well with Andros (hiss free as far as i can tell) decent sound and cheap as chips

 

You can always use older versions of the apps. Normally they get obsolete, but still work for a long time.

It's really sad that there is no custom development for the ZX2. But I'm not surprised.