Campfire Audio - Introducing 2 new models Hello Andromeda and Nova

[deafdoorknob]

I've posted this before, but adding a 20-ohm impedance adapter to raise the input impedance of the IEMatch fixes the problem of it making the Andromedas sound thin- and dead-sounding out of sources with low output impedances.

Throw in a 10 cm extension cable to protect the adapter head from bending, and the combination sounds fantastic even out of a cheap FiiO Q1, which is normally a garden hose that spews hiss, with negligible loss of detail or dynamics to my ears. Frankly, I'd almost call it too revealing, as I am now painfully aware of the destructive effects of poor music mastering on audio quality.

I'd be hesistant to rely on finding a clean source to avoid hiss, as all too many of the "noise-free sources with black backgrounds" that Andromeda owners recommend aren't, including the iPhone.

it's more a give and take, if the hiss is unacceptable on the iphone to you you are truly blessed batman! or cursed... all good mate.

 

[Fargeg]

it's more a give and take, if the hiss is unacceptable on the iphone to you you are truly blessed batman! or cursed... all good mate.

It's less that the hiss on the iPhone is unacceptable and more that there are people stating that it doesn't hiss at all when it does. You can get clearer sound out of a 20-ohm + IEMatch + basically anything you can find that isn't straight-up defective and can output 100 mW without distorting into a 36-ohm load than you will right out of many of the devices people claim are clean-sounding.

e: The JDS Labs C5D and iFi Micro iDSD BL are among the DAC/amps I've put on sale because they didn't perform as well with the Andromedas. I'm fairly certain they screwed up the built-in IEMatch implementation on the BL, as the 1-ohm Ultra setting sounded slightly off.

e2: Both the 3.5 mm jacks on pre-7 iPhones and the Lightning dongle deactivate themselves as a power-saving measure when nothing is playing, and the hiss is soft enough to go unnoticed when listening to louder content in a noisy outdoors environment. I've used the 20-ohm + IEMatch with both outputs, and they noticeably improve the SQ when listening to classical and other high-DR music.

 

[nevrsumr]

It's less that the hiss on the iPhone is unacceptable and more that there are people stating that it doesn't hiss at all when it does. You can get clearer sound out of a 20-ohm + IEMatch + basically anything you can find that isn't straight-up defective and can output 100 mW without distorting into a 36-ohm load than you will right out of many of the devices people claim are clean-sounding.

e: The JDS Labs C5D and iFi Micro iDSD BL are among the DAC/amps I've put on sale because they didn't perform as well with the Andromedas. I'm fairly certain they screwed up the built-in IEMatch implementation on the BL, as the 1-ohm Ultra setting sounded slightly off.

I listened to my Androsa better part of the day yesterday and didn't hear any hiss from my iPhone x. I even listened to some talk radio and didn't hear anything.

My only gripe is the lack of range changing the volume. I can only turn it up one click above middle on the iPhone and it gets louder than I want to sustain. I don't really want to add in something that changes SQ just for that. I can fine tune the volume with the slider.

Maybe I can find some app that lowers the gain. I use Spotify premium exclusively though.


edit - Wow I found something. Settings -> Music -> Volume Limit.

I just set the volume slider to about 55% and I am currently listening to the Andros at max volume on Spotify. This is great!

 

[Colors]

Any idea how to get an Andromeda working on a Cayin N5ii without hissing and changing the sound?

Tried the IEMatch but it definitely changed how it sounds.

 

[KingCharizard]

I listened to my Androsa better part of the day yesterday and didn't hear any hiss from my iPhone x. I even listened to some talk radio and didn't hear anything.

My only gripe is the lack of range changing the volume. I can only turn it up one click above middle on the iPhone and it gets louder than I want to sustain. I don't really want to add in something that changes SQ just for that. I can fine tune the volume with the slider.

Maybe I can find some app that lowers the gain. I use Spotify premium exclusively though.


edit - Wow I found something. Settings -> Music -> Volume Limit.

I just set the volume slider to about 55% and I am currently listening to the Andros at max volume on Spotify. This is great!

Tried the iPhone X + lightning dongle with the Andromeda today, highest I could go in volume was three clicks! Changing the volume limit also rescales the volume ticks iirc, so you should have finer control over volume.

Did some quick A/Bing with the iEMatch as well; the dongle doesn’t hiss and sounds bassier than both settings on the iEMatch. The dongle alone sounds pretty good, just too dark to for me; I still prefer the 2.5 ohm out sound signature from the iEMatch.

 

[Erfan Elahi]

Is there any upgrade cable to improve sound quality for Andromeda by any third-party maker - other than offical CA cables?

 

[Lookout57]

Of course.

How much are you looking to pay and what are you looking to change in it's sound signature?

 

[Erfan Elahi]

Of course.

How much are you looking to pay and what are you looking to change in it's sound signature?

Exactly, expecting for difference in sound signature. Budget $200-400. I know can get Ref-8 $300, but still looking for options if there are better than that.

 

[jonathane40]

Is there any upgrade cable to improve sound quality for Andromeda by any third-party maker - other than offical CA cables?

I have been also looking at upgrading. For what I have read Andromeda is very sensitive to cable changes given its high sensitivity. I want a bit more air and sparkle so I ordered the ALO Pure Silver balanced as well as the Massdrop Plussound Exo Gold+Silver balanced. I’m getting the ALO tomorrow and the Plussound won’t arrive until October. I can report back after trying the ALO Pure Silver.

What do you want the cable to change sound wise?

I also liked what people have to say about the Ref. 8 but decided against it because I don’t like memory wire and also because it’s fairly microphonic.

Also keep in mind that andromeda is sensitive to the source’s Output Inoedance (OI).

 

[JustJoseph]

Hi, I just want to say that the ear tips makes a HUGE difference in the sound of the andromedas. If I use non foam eartips, eg spiral dots or sonys or spin fits, I dont get a full 100 percent seal. The sub bass is lost and the treble is very bright! It does not sound good.

However, if I use foam tips, I can hear the deep sub bass, and the highs are very smooth and well extended, the best I have ever heard in an iem.

Does anyone else have the same experience?

 

[Lookout57]

Exactly, expecting for difference in sound signature. Budget $200-400. I know can get Ref-8 $300, but still looking for options if there are better than that.

I found the CA SXC 8 is a great paring for the Andromeda.

I would stay away from a pure silver cable since it's a BA IEM. To me an all silver cable makes the high end too hot.

 

[jonathane40]

Hi, I just want to say that the ear tips makes a HUGE difference in the sound of the andromedas. If I use non foam eartips, eg spiral dots or sonys or spin fits, I dont get a full 100 percent seal. The sub bass is lost and the treble is very bright! It does not sound good.

However, if I use foam tips, I can hear the deep sub bass, and the highs are very smooth and well extended, the best I have ever heard in an iem.

Does anyone else have the same experience?

They do make a huge difference. I prefer so far the SpinFit single or dual flange and the Sony Hybrids over foam. I get a good seal with the silicon tips so I don’t feel I loose much bass. The double flange SpinFits go in deeper and they seem to be clearer and bassier at the same time. I like the foam tips from CA better than comply and when I’m patient I use the foam tips over the SpinFits. I still haven’t tried spiral dots so hopefully I’ll grt to try those soon. I ordered some silicon tips from Peñón as well as the Symbio W. I’m looking forward to seeing if they sound better than what I have tried so far.

What I have noticed about tips is that they are so dependent on an individuals ear shape/size that reading other people’s advise doors to always help. They are even dependent on the IEM! On amdromeda I tend to use larger tips than on the Sony EX1000 for example.

 

[jonathane40]

I found the CA SXC 8 is a great paring for the Andromeda.

I would stay away from a pure silver cable since it's a BA IEM. To me an all silver cable makes the high end too hot.

That’s why I got the ALO Pure Silver cable. I’m hoping for it to add some sparkle and air. If it doesn’t work for me, I’ll sell it. I think I usually like the treble to be hotter than most people. Many people are bothered by the treble spikes in the Sony EX1000. Wejereas for me, they sound pretty natural.

 

[nevrsumr]

Tried the iPhone X + lightning dongle with the Andromeda today, highest I could go in volume was three clicks! Changing the volume limit also rescales the volume ticks iirc, so you should have finer control over volume.

Did some quick A/Bing with the iEMatch as well; the dongle doesn’t hiss and sounds bassier than both settings on the iEMatch. The dongle alone sounds pretty good, just too dark to for me; I still prefer the 2.5 ohm out sound signature from the iEMatch.

Thanks for the review. I am going to stick with just straight iPhone and Andro. I am extremely happy with them. I was worried after reading so much about sources and hissing. Now that I got the volume issue worked out, they are perfect. I would rather have more bass anyway so I don't think I need the iematch for anything.

Did you try different tips? You might find the gels give you that extra bit of trebble then you could ditch the extra dongle.

 

[KingCharizard]

Thanks for the review. I am going to stick with just straight iPhone and Andro. I am extremely happy with them. I was worried after reading so much about sources and hissing. Now that I got the volume issue worked out, they are perfect. I would rather have more bass anyway so I don't think I need the iematch for anything.

Did you try different tips? You might find the gels give you that extra bit of trebble then you could ditch the extra dongle.

It's a good pairing, enjoy . I've had my Andromeda for almost 2 years now and have tried many a tip, going to stick with the spiral dots for now.