What’s Kraken! In this video I’m checking out Campfire Audio’s Relay, a portable dongle DAC/amp that comes in at $229 and—honestly—plays right in that $200-ish tier. I walk through what you get in the box (the magnetic riptop pouch, USB-C to USB-C cable, microfiber cloth, and manual), then I also show off Campfire’s new DAC Mag Wallet accessory that snaps to a Mag-style phone setup and holds your dongle hands-free. The Relay itself is CNC machined aluminum with a slick contoured shape, tactile buttons, and a glass side that shows the AKM 4493 chip. From features to real-world use, I cover the 3.5 single-ended and 4.4 balanced outputs, high/low gain, 60-step volume control, media controls, DSD/PCM support, and the six digital filters (and yeah… the filter switching with the single-color LED is a pain in the ass). For pairings I used IEMs like the Simgot ET142, Campfire Alien Brain, and JQ Instinct Emerald—no noise issues at all—and headphones like the HiFi For All Dalia, Meze 105 Silva, and the Odyssey LCD LS20 planar, which the Relay drove beautifully. Sound-wise, I’d call it analog-warm without killing treble or detail, with great grip and a slightly closer stage. I also compare it to my iBasso DC Elite and the Cayin RU7, and for price-to-performance, the Relay is a really strong pick.