Campfire Audio - Introducing 2 new models Hello Andromeda and Nova

[Colors]

Agreed that you can tune the sub-bass with sources and cables to your liking. Everyone’s experience will be different but Cardas copper + 4.4mm off 1A gives me plenty of sub-bass. Also MW10 is extra sub-bass boosted if you can find one. Clean and lots of texture + qty too.

IMO, output impedance is equally responsible for the macro-dynamics as current swing when the output impedance is > 2 ohm. For less than 2 ohms OI, I'd say the current swing is slightly more of a factor to determine that bass slam, extension and definition/resolution (micro-dynamics) out of the Andromeda. What current swing provides aside from the macro-dynamics is micro-dynamics where overtones in the subbass region are much more fleshed out, weightier and less fuzzy or tinny sounding (The Apple Dongle with <1 ohm sounds tinny in the bass region despite the <1 ohm output impedance).



I would be wary of the Sony DAPs when it comes to hissing as the AK DAPs are normally less sensitive to noise out of the Andromeda. AK SR25 would be considered the "brightest" sounding DAP in the treble region out of the current AK DAP lineup (including the SP2000, SP1000 and SE100). Since the 2020 is a bit more tamed in the treble than the V2 Andromeda, the SR25/Andromeda 2020 pairing might be good as it may bring out the edge in the treble and the Andromeda V2 might be a bit sizzling with that pairing. Sony DAPs are generally warmer sounding than AK DAPs (except for the WM1A with Andromeda V2 which I find a really good pairing with excellent bass response except for the hissing during quiet room listening session).

1A/1Z is an excellent pairing w/ the Andros. I've also tried the SP2000 and AR15 which I like immensely as well (lowest floor noise I've experienced for a DAP).

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

output impedance is equally responsible for the macro-dynamics as current swing when the output impedance is > 2 ohm... What current swing provides aside from the macro-dynamics is micro-dynamics where overtones in the subbass region are much more fleshed out, weightier and less fuzzy or tinny sounding... I would be wary of the Sony DAPs when it comes to hissing as the AK DAPs are normally less sensitive to noise out of the Andromeda... the SR25/Andromeda 2020 pairing might be good as it may bring out the edge in the treble

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my queries - I really appreciate it. This information will be a great help to those of us considering DAP pairings with the Andromeda 2020. I don't have enough experience with the OG Andromeda to compare it properly with the 2020 version, although, as you note, the different treble presentations stand out considerably. This may well lead to new recommendations about suitable source pairings. Thank you again!

 

[Rockwell75]

For what it's worth I use a Cayin n6ii with the E01 module and the pairing is sublime with Andromeda 2020. Minimal hiss and the signature is dynamic and engaging.

 

[Mirimar]

 

[yellowbirdfly]

After a long wait, my MW10s are finally here!

First impressions:
The first thing that strikes me is its forward and aggressive nature, much more so than I remember the OG Andros being. Soundstage seems to be closed in on first listen, but has good depth. Quite a big departure from the relaxed and spacious sound of the OG Andros. More listening needed to assess its technical abilities, but I'm kind of liking it so far. (Source used: Sony WM1A)

Onwards to more listening!

(Also purchased a Super Litz 4.4mm balanced cable and Spiral Dot++ tips so I'm excited to see how those will change the sound.)

 

[Tristy]

After a long wait, my MW10s are finally here!




First impressions:
The first thing that strikes me is its forward and aggressive nature, much more so than I remember the OG Andros being. Soundstage seems to be closed in on first listen, but has good depth. Quite a big departure from the relaxed and spacious sound of the OG Andros. More listening needed to assess its technical abilities, but I'm kind of liking it so far. (Source used: Sony WM1A)

Onwards to more listening!

(Also purchased a Super Litz 4.4mm balanced cable and Spiral Dot++ tips so I'm excited to see how those will change the sound.)

Quite the lookers aren’t they!

 

[Mlaihk]

You lucky son of a gun! I am so envious of your MW10! Where did you get it from?

After a long wait, my MW10s are finally here!




First impressions:
The first thing that strikes me is its forward and aggressive nature, much more so than I remember the OG Andros being. Soundstage seems to be closed in on first listen, but has good depth. Quite a big departure from the relaxed and spacious sound of the OG Andros. More listening needed to assess its technical abilities, but I'm kind of liking it so far. (Source used: Sony WM1A)

Onwards to more listening!

(Also purchased a Super Litz 4.4mm balanced cable and Spiral Dot++ tips so I'm excited to see how those will change the sound.)

 

[yellowbirdfly]

You lucky son of a gun! I am so envious of your MW10! Where did you get it from?

It's from e-earphone Japan, I had it shipped to me via a forwarder because e-earphone doesn't ship outside Japan. Got it used for a decent chunk off the retail price (122k vs 185k yen), but unbelievably it still looks pretty much new.

 

[Colors]

After a long wait, my MW10s are finally here!




First impressions:
The first thing that strikes me is its forward and aggressive nature, much more so than I remember the OG Andros being. Soundstage seems to be closed in on first listen, but has good depth. Quite a big departure from the relaxed and spacious sound of the OG Andros. More listening needed to assess its technical abilities, but I'm kind of liking it so far. (Source used: Sony WM1A)

Onwards to more listening!

(Also purchased a Super Litz 4.4mm balanced cable and Spiral Dot++ tips so I'm excited to see how those will change the sound.)

Welcome to the club! Finally we have an extra person for discussion purposes so I don't give the impression that I'm hearing ghosts o.o;

Ya, the tuning is much more aggressive. The sub-bass slams pretty aggressively (while being clean) and the upper mids are lifted a tad to give female vocals and harmonics some zing to them. Male vocals I find are not recessed at all and are fairly neutral but still assisted by the fair amount of low mids/bass warmth and the sparkle still exists (which got removed in the 2020). Soundstage definitely not as endless as OG, but above average by my standards (like U12T level or so).

Where did you purchase the Super Litz 4.4mm cable? The Smoky or Silver?

 

[yellowbirdfly]

Welcome to the club! Finally we have an extra person for discussion purposes so I don't give the impression that I'm hearing ghosts o.o;

Ya, the tuning is much more aggressive. The sub-bass slams pretty aggressively (while being clean) and the upper mids are lifted a tad to give female vocals and harmonics some zing to them. Male vocals I find are not recessed at all and are fairly neutral but still assisted by the fair amount of low mids/bass warmth and the sparkle still exists (which got removed in the 2020). Soundstage definitely not as endless as OG, but above average by my standards (like U12T level or so).

Where did you purchase the Super Litz 4.4mm cable? The Smoky or Silver?

Thanks! Glad to be a part of this exclusive club.

After spending more time with it, I agree with your description of the sub-bass and mids. The lows have good body while being cleaner than the OG, and not overpowering at all. Mids are very nice on this Andromeda, neutral with a hint of lushness. Female vocals stands out to me as being realistic and life-like, and forward just how I like it. The highs has sparkle, though not as airy as the OG. The layering, details and separation are definitely a level above any IEMs I've heard. The only thing I'm not too sure about is the soundstage, it feels smaller than what I'm used to, though I haven't heard many of the recent TOTLs. Hopefully the Spiral Dots will increase the soundstage.

I purchased the Super Litz direct from ALO Audio. I chose the silver, because I prefer the look of silver on the MW10s.

 

[Colors]

Thanks! Glad to be a part of this exclusive club.

After spending more time with it, I agree with your description of the sub-bass and mids. The lows have good body while being cleaner than the OG, and not overpowering at all. Mids are very nice on this Andromeda, neutral with a hint of lushness. Female vocals stands out to me as being realistic and life-like, and forward just how I like it. The highs has sparkle, though not as airy as the OG. The layering, details and separation are definitely a level above any IEMs I've heard. The only thing I'm not too sure about is the soundstage, it feels smaller than what I'm used to, though I haven't heard many of the recent TOTLs. Hopefully the Spiral Dots will increase the soundstage.

I puchased the Super Litz from direct from ALO Audio. I chose the silver, because I prefer the look of silver on the MW10s.

Nice! I might grab myself a Super Litz in 4.4mm eventually, don't like the memory wire and need to get it removed.

Having listened to so many IEMs now, trust me, nothing is going to really compare to the OG's soundstage width (why I still have mine). The MW10 is definitely above average and definitely wider than the Andro 2020. Try Symbios if you have a chance, though Spiral Dots should increase stage as well.

4.4mm off the 1A w/ the Super Litz should sound sweeeet though. Let me know how that goes.

 

[Rockwell75]

So I loaded the A01 board into my n6ii for the first time in a while (and the first time ever with the Andromeda) an to my surprise I'm quite loving it-- I think I may even prefer it to the E01, which is a first. Through the A01 the Andromeda 2020 has a thicker and more nuanced bottom end which I'm quite enjoing. This track in particular sounds amazing through this combo:

 

[Rockwell75]

Absolutely loving this combo.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if I could ask for some recommendations for a DAP to pair with my Andromeda 2020, please? I've found that its frequency response isn't affected as significantly as I'd expected when moving between lower- and higher-impedance sources, e.g. with a Schiit Magni 3 or an iPhone 7 with dongle at below 1 ohm vs. the AK Jr at 2 ohms.

I'd like to upgrade from the AK Jr. for three reasons: longer battery life (my unit's a few years old now, of course), more storage space, and stronger macro-dynamics (the AK Jr is quite soft, I've found; it lacks punch). The natural upgrade would seem to be the AK SR25 (1.8 ohm or 1.6ohm, for unbalanced and balanced, respectively). I'm not fussed about the reports of wi-fi dropouts, which seem to be common complaints about the AK SR25, nor is streaming a priority (or, by extension, MQA).

The AK SR25 at $700 is at about the threshold of what I'd be prepared to spend. I'm not sure the Sony NW-507 represents a worthwhile extra $130. But if I were to be able to go with a lower OI source, then iBasso, Plenue, and HiBy DAPs could come into play... any suggestions?!

 

[Tristy]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if I could ask for some recommendations for a DAP to pair with my Andromeda 2020, please? I've found that its frequency response isn't affected as significantly as I'd expected when moving between lower- and higher-impedance sources, e.g. with a Schiit Magni 3 or an iPhone 7 with dongle at below 1 ohm vs. the AK Jr at 2 ohms.

I'd like to upgrade from the AK Jr. for three reasons: longer battery life (my unit's a few years old now, of course), more storage space, and stronger macro-dynamics (the AK Jr is quite soft, I've found; it lacks punch). The natural upgrade would seem to be the AK SR25 (1.8 ohm or 1.6ohm, for unbalanced and balanced, respectively). I'm not fussed about the reports of wi-fi dropouts, which seem to be common complaints about the AK SR25, nor is streaming a priority (or, by extension, MQA).

The AK SR25 at $700 is at about the threshold of what I'd be prepared to spend. I'm not sure the Sony NW-507 represents a worthwhile extra $130. But if I were to be able to go with a lower OI source, then iBasso, Plenue, and HiBy DAPs could come into play... any suggestions?!

I can't speak for the Andro 2020 but the SR25 is a great pairing with the Solaris SE. It is attached to it indefinitely while the Cube is used with the Legend X and Z1R. I'd imagine it would also be a great pairing with the Andro but cannot say for sure.