Campfire Audio has earned a solid rep making killer in-ear monitors for both musicians and audiophiles, ranging from their entry-level Axion at $249 to the top-tier Trifecta that clocks in at over three grand. Now, the Portland-based company is stepping into the already overcrowded world of dongle DACs and portable amps with their new Campfire Audio Relay.
Look, we all love Campfire’s IEMs—many of us here own them—but the market for dongle DACs is seriously flooded. If this thing wants to stand out, it can’t just be “good enough.” It has to be noticeably better, pushing the sound and usability beyond the usual noise. Otherwise, it’s just another dongle we don’t need.
So, what’s a dongle DAC anyway, and why would you want one? It’s basically a tiny, serious upgrade over the mediocre DAC inside your phone or laptop. If you’ve invested in decent wired headphones or IEMs, your device’s built-in audio isn’t cutting it. A dongle DAC cleans up the signal, delivering clearer, richer sound.
Plus, it comes with a dedicated headphone amp that actually knows how to handle different impedance levels and give your headphones the power they deserve. But here’s the catch—it’s tethered directly to your device via a cable. That means less freedom to roam, and it’ll suck down your phone’s battery faster than you’d like.
Bottom line: If you want to squeeze top-tier sound from your quality headphones or IEMs, a dongle DAC is worth considering. Just remember—it’s wired in, it’s a power hog, and it’s not a magic bullet. Manage your expectations accordingly.
Campfire Audio Relay DAC/Amp: Portable Power for Audiophiles on the Go or Your Desktop
The Relay is a portable headphone DAC/amp that plugs into your smartphone, laptop, or tablet via USB-C. It comes with two headphone jacks—a standard 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced—so you can connect just about any wired headphones you’ve got lying around.
Inside, it’s packing an AKM SEQ 4493 DAC chip. According to Campfire Audio, this chip doesn’t just deliver technical muscle and sonic clarity; it adds a unique analog warmth and emotional vibe to the sound, aiming to make your music feel less like noise and more like an experience. The Relay works with Mac and Windows PCs, plus USB-C iPhones and Android devices–we’ll get into the details behind that down below.
Campfire Audio Relay DAC/Amp: High-Resolution Playback and Versatile Headphone Support
The Campfire Audio Relay is built to handle a wide range of wired headphones and earphones—even the stubborn, hard-to-drive ones. It offers precise control over your listening experience with low and high gain modes, six selectable digital filters, and a 60-step volume adjustment, so you can tailor sound and loudness exactly how you like it.
Powered by the aforementioned AKM SEQ 4493 DAC chip, the Relay supports ultra-high-resolution audio files up to 32-bit/768kHz and can decode both PCM and DSD formats, ensuring top-tier sound quality for audiophiles.
Connectivity-wise, the Relay plugs in via USB-C (USB 2.0) and works with Windows (7, 8, 10, 11—with ASIO drivers for older versions), Mac OS, Android, and USB-C iOS devices. It features two headphone outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended jack and a 4.4mm balanced output, with output levels ranging from 1.35 Vrms (low gain, single-ended) up to 4 Vrms (high gain, balanced), making it compatible with everything from sensitive IEMs to power-hungry headphones.
Compact at roughly 57mm x 23mm x 10mm, the Relay packs serious audio muscle in a portable package, perfect for upgrading your laptop or smartphone sound on the go.
The Bottom Line
The Campfire Audio Relay packs serious tech for a compact portable DAC/amp—featuring the AKM SEQ 4493 chip, balanced and single-ended outputs, and support for ultra-high-res audio—all for a $229 price tag that’s competitive but not exactly a steal. While it offers solid performance and the brand’s signature attention to detail, it enters a crowded battlefield filled with heavy hitters like FiiO, iFi, Questyle, AudioQuest, and Astell&Kern, all of whom bring proven pedigree and fierce feature sets. If you’re loyal to Campfire or looking for something that combines tonal warmth with precision, the Relay deserves a hard look—but be ready to compare carefully before dropping your cash.
Price & Availability
The Campfire Audio Relay works with Windows and Mac computers, plus Android and iPhones with USB-C. You can grab one now for $229 at Amazon. No surprises, no nonsense.
For more information: campfireaudio.com
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