relay dac/amp
In-Depth Media Reviews
your hifi multi-tool
Campfire Audio Relay is a powerful, portable DAC/AMP that offers versatile performance. It utilizes the premium AKM 4493SEQ DAC chip, selected as the result of an exhaustive search for the perfect chip to synergize with a wide range of in-ear monitors and headphones. It offers variable bitrates with high-res playback, selectable filters, low/high gain, and media playback controls in a sleek and minimal form factor that is durable and easy to operate. Relay can also be paired with Campfire's Portable DAC Mag Wallet to create an all-in-one, streamlined, pocketable hifi rig.
The verdict
Reviewers highlight Relay's punchy and dynamic performance, strong detail retrieval and clarity; creating a technical and engaging performance. They also reference its power/size ratio, and its ability to punch above its weight as a portable 'dongle' style DAC. There is also consensus that its build quality and form factor are premium and reliable, and that Relay offers a straightforward, minimal interface that is easy to use with a plug-and-play approach.
"Relay herald’s Campfire Audio’s successful evolution into a new product category while maintaining everything that makes their approach special. It represents the finest portable DAC/amplifier I’ve encountered at anywhere near a reasonable price point, delivering mature DAP-level performance in a genuinely pocketable package."
- Guy Lerner, The Headphone List
"With the Relay they have succeeded. It does not try to impress with gimmicks or forced coloration. It offers a clean, confident and dynamic sound that works across a wide range of IEMs and genres. The build is reassuring, the controls are practical and both outputs offer enough grip and refinement to make it perform far above what you expect from a portable dongle."
- Jjazzifi
"The Campfire Audio Relay does indeed do justice to (many) full-sized headphones and to most if not all earphones. Despite its minute size, it is not only (almost) universally deployable with plenty of power but also does an incredible job in terms of imaging and staging. "
-Dr. Jurgen Kraus, Audio Reviews
"First of all the performance of this is fantastic… I do really like the analog sound signature, I think it does a great job for technical performance… anything to do with the sound signature I do really enjoy with the Relay."
-Skeeb23
"[Relay] has a good facility for giving even the more transient, fleeting occurrences the correct amount of weighting and puts them into convincing context. Its presentation is reasonably spacious... and it ensures every element gets the sort of elbow room it needs in order to express itself."
-Simon Lucas, Tech Radar
More reviews
"After about 20 hours of listening, I can report that the dongle sounds thoroughly enjoyable and is a dream to use. Compared to FiiO's similarly sized KA15 dongle ($99), the Relay sounds richer, smoother, and more powerful and plays with less fatigue over long stretches."
- Alex Haberstadt, Stereophile
"The Campfire Audio Relay is a seriously impressive first entry into the dongle DAC space. For $229 (£229), you’re getting robust codec support (PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD256), a CNC-machined aluminum and glass build that feels far more premium than its featherweight size suggests, and enough power output (500mW @ 32Ω) to comfortably drive everything from sensitive IEMs to full-sized planar headphones. Sonically, it leans hard-hitting and energetic, with deep, textured bass, clear mids, and treble detail that brings out micro-dynamics"
- ecoustics