If you read our Questyle CMA18 Portable review, then you’re already familiar with the company’s current mode amplification technology which, in our opinion, takes pure analogue sound to the next level.
That level has now reached its zenith with the new Questyle CMA Eighteen Master headphone DAC and amplifier, which we will soon be exploring in a full feature review. Until then, here’s a taster of what this powerhouse device has to offer, even for portable audio users.
Flagship DAC architecture. CMA Eighteen Master introduces a whole new DAC architecture based on the flagship ESS Sabre ES9039PRO platform. Working in tandem with the Class A current mode amplification circuit, CMA Eighteen Master makes use of the new octa-core DAC’s patented Hyperstream PWM technology and 8x two-pass oversampling to completely eliminate post-conversion distortion for a smooth, clean, utterly analogue sound.
Reinforced Rogers construction. To manage the significant heat produced when processing ultra-high-definition, lossless audio data with the ES9039PRO, the PCB has been upgraded to Rogers material. Initially developed for military applications, missiles, and specialised instruments, Rogers materials are about 20 times more expensive than standard alternatives.
Fully upgraded I/O architecture. CMA Eighteen Master features an upgraded XMOS XU316 USB platform, with digital-to-analogue conversion up to 32-bit PCM768 and native DSD512. It includes fully-isolated USB-B and USB-C input interfaces, along with Hi-Res Bluetooth support for both aptX-HD and LDAC for near-lossless wireless input.
Optimised amplification cohesion. The latest optimised current mode amplifier, combined with a Rogers board with a dielectric constant 1/10th that of standard PCBs, delivers a 30% improvement in distortion tests, along with enhanced dynamic range and background clarity. The fully-balanced headphone amplifier, equipped with ALPS quad analogue potentiometers and a peak current output of up to 3A, maximises the performance of high-end headphones, while a low-gain option is available for noise-free IEM amplification.
Watch this space for our full, in-depth review, coming early 2025.
The Questyle CMA Eighteen Master is available now for $2,999 (normally $3,499) direct from Questyleshop and leading online retailers.
