Will be interesting to see if this’ll top my current fav can (utopia)…
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Nice chairs if you are 2 or 3 years old. I’d totally enjoy an adult-sized model.
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What are your thoughts on the Ara? Do you still have them? Drop has them right now at a pretty good price… What are you using them with?
Thanks for any feedback!
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I heard enough of the stock rectifier when I had the demo Stratus 
Leaving the stock 2A3’s in during burn-in, and then my NOS Sylvanias will take over. The 6N1P is also out, replaced with a Philco (by Sylvania) 6BK7B.
Thanks! I’m so happy to be in it 
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I bought the Campfire Ara a little over 8 months ago during CFA’s Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale as an upgrade to my CFA Satsuma IEMs. I paid $899, which coincidentally enough is what Drop currently has them for. For $899, I think they are worth the price, considering sound quality, build and materials, accessories, and country of manufacture. It’s a substantial upgrade from the Satsuma. While not perfect for all the various genres I listen to, it does a good enough job that if I had to pick one headphone or IEM to keep, the Ara would be it.
Currently, I am using the Qudelix 5K as my primarily DAC/headamp, connected to my iPad Pro either via Bluetooth or USB-C. I don’t hear any hissing with the 5K and the Ara didn’t hiss with my Schiit Asgard 3 nor with my RebelAmp at normal listening volumes. I’m still in the process of trying out different ear tips, but so far the only ones I dislike are the stock silicone ones (not the Final Type E).
Feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions you’d like me to address.
Regards,
Vic
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I agree with these impressions too. I have the Ara now and enjoy them - they do lean neutral-bright, so keep that in mind.
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JDS Labs Element II. $200 off due to the release of the Element III. Personally, I prefer the simplicity of the II (no display or too-clever-by-half automatic gain switching).
Volume-matched A/B comparison with RME ADI 2 suggests they’re identical. IF there’s a difference, the Element has a slightly softer presentation - like the difference between San Pellegrino and Perrier (but less pronounced), which may be preferable for extended listening at my desk.
Looks as though the RME is bound for the living room.
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Welcome to the hive club. It looks like there were a few changes since my model. Strips instead of grid on the outside, and Sajiv decided to get BOXES! In the early days it was bubble wrap in a generic box. Can’t wait to hear your commentary.
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Thanks!
It’s a new model - Bee instead of Hive, Planar instead of E-stat.
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Recently picked up a Legend EVO and decided it was time to upgrade my dongle DAC game too. Picked up this bad boy from a little website called headphones dot com. 
Just arrived today, but my first impression is that this little thing is magical. Much power, many options, very audiophile.
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Congratulations on your acquisition @chrisnyc75. As a big EE fan too I think this will be a great combo.
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Love my Mercury streamer!
If you do not like it - PM me, and I will buy from you. I have a need for a 2nd unit…
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Honestly, the Evo is so bassy the x-bass hardly has an effect. But the x-space is a great tweak for jazz and acoustic that is better with a little less low end. Overall, though, the Go Bar gets a thumbs-up from me. I feel like it lacks for nothing.
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They do have some similarity to Audeze sound, but not the same. I’m still working on time to post a detailed review of my set, but the first 2 weeks have been great. Like earlier reviews by @Resolve and @ProfFalkin, I find that EQ is not necessary, the sound is just about right out of the box.
And yes, no two are exactly alike as far as the colors. Apparently you can work with their custom side if you have certain things you want included in them. I could see getting a set done in amber if I had a few trilobites around.
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I have my eye on a custom set made from asphalt with decorative used chewing gum and cockroaches. They’ll never die that way, as made from indestructible stuff. The green glow of nuclear waste could aslo help me find them in the dark for the next 700,000,000 years.
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