Campfire Audio is an American hi-fi manufacturer that specializes in in-ear monitors (IEMs) and earphones for musicians and audiophiles. Its offerings start at a few hundred bucks, like its entry-level Axion ($249), and can go up to several thousand, like its flagship Trifecta ($3,300).
Now, the Portland-based audio maker has released a portable DAC and headphone amplifier, designed to elevate the sound of its in-ear monitors — or any wired headphones — when you’re listening from a laptop or smartphone.
Campfire Audio Relay DAC/Amp
Analog warmth
The Relay is a portable headphone DAC/amplifier that plugs into your smartphone, laptop or tablet via a USB-C cable. It features dual headphone jacks, one 3.5mm (single-ended) and one 4.4mm (balanced), so it can work with a wide variety of wired headphones.
It’s powered by an AKM SEQ 4493 DAC chip, which Campfire Audio says provides “a high-level of technical performance and overall sonic improvements, but also features a unique analog tonality, imparting a sense of emotional engagement and warmth that brings the listener a deeper sense of musical connection.”
