Campfire Audio, the Portland-based brand known mostly for its high-end earphones, is stepping into new territory with a compact, wallet-friendly device designed to improve your everyday listening setup. It’s called the Relay—a small, USB-C DAC and headphone amp built for folks who want better sound from their phones, laptops, tablets, or gaming rigs without hauling around bulky gear.

Available now for $229 at Amazon (or £229 in the UK), the Relay isn’t exactly a budget pick, but it sits comfortably in the entry-level range for portable hi-fi. And while it’s small enough to disappear in your pocket—just 57mm long—it comes packed with features you’d normally expect from larger desktop DAC/AMPs.

“Relay is the culmination of an exhaustive and expansive search for the best sonic qualities, form factor, and functionality possible to meet the demands of modern, portable hi-fi,” says Ken Ball, founder and lead acoustic designer at Campfire. “We hope that it gives users the high level of performance they expect from bulkier devices, with the flexibility of variable parameters and the convenience of a compact, robust form factor.”

At the heart of the Relay is the AKM 4493 SEQ DAC chip. If you’re not familiar with DAC chips, they’re what turn digital music files into the analog signals your headphones can play. This particular chip is a popular choice among audio enthusiasts because it supports high-res audio up to 32-bit/768kHz and works with both PCM and DSD files. That means it can handle everything from everyday Spotify streaming to studio-quality music files, if that’s your thing.

Campfire says they picked this chip after a lot of testing and liked that it offered not only technical performance but also a slightly warmer sound, more in line with classic analog gear than ultra-clinical digital playback.

One of the more practical features on the Relay is the inclusion of two headphone outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended jack and a 4.4mm balanced output. That means it works with just about any wired headphones or IEMs you’ve got, whether they’re simple earbuds or something a bit more power-hungry.

The device connects via USB-C and is compatible with just about anything: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. So you can plug it into your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even gaming PC without worrying about special adapters or extra software.

While you can just plug in and go, the Relay also gives you a bit of control over how your music sounds. You can toggle between high and low gain settings depending on your headphones, and choose from six different digital filters to tweak playback characteristics.

There’s also a 60-step volume control built right into the device, plus media buttons to pause, skip tracks, or adjust playback without reaching for your phone. These might seem like small touches, but they’re especially handy when you’re on the move or using gear that doesn’t have a headphone jack.

Even though it’s packed with features, the Relay is still all about portability. The aluminum chassis is both lightweight and sturdy, good for everyday use and travel. It doesn’t have a built-in battery (it draws power from whatever it’s plugged into), which helps keep the size and weight down.

In the box, you’ll get a short USB-C to USB-C cable (6cm long), a microfiber cloth, and a black cushioned Ripstop bag for carrying everything safely.

The Relay feels like a practical option for anyone looking to get a little more out of their wired headphones. If your laptop’s headphone jack sounds flat, or if you’re using a phone that doesn’t have one at all, this device can make a noticeable difference. It’s not necessarily aimed at hardcore audiophiles building out multi-thousand-dollar setups—but for everyday listeners, travelers, or gamers wanting a better experience, it fits the bill.

It also represents a bit of a shift for Campfire Audio. The brand is usually associated with pricier, boutique earphones, like  but this product feels more accessible—something designed to slide into your backpack or pocket without much fuss.

The Campfire Audio Relay DAC/AMP is available now from Amazon and select audio retailers for $229 / £229.