Questyle CMA 18 Master DAC and Headphone Amp

The CMA Eighteen Master upgrades to the XMOS X316 USB platform, supporting D/A converting up to PCM768/DSD512. It also supports both USB-B and USB-C interfaces, avoiding audio quality degradation and unstable high-definition data transfer arise with the need for conversion adapters associated with the recent shift to USB-C ports on PCs.

Crafting For Pursuit

Since the debut of the first CMA800 in 2012, each flagship in Questyle’s series has shared the same soul: Current Mode Amplification Technology. The CMA Fifteen, released in 2020, featured the flagship ESS Current mode DAC for the first time. Coupled with Current Mode Amplification, it established the CMA series as a new era of full current processing, essentially “lossless throughout the entire chain.”

Current Mode Amplification

Current Mode Amplification, referring to a Current Mode Audio Amplifier, is a patented technology of Questyle Audio. It is a state-of-the-art technology of audio amplification different from the traditional audio amplifier. As the “engine” of audio system, Current Mode Amplification, featuring a fully discrete and topological structure, achieves ultra-high sound performance close to recording scene that makes the audience truly moved. Meanwhile, based on Current Mode Amplification technology, users can get a much better listening experience than common devices, even with their own headphones or speakers rather than the original collocation.

To dissipate the substantial heat generated by processing ultra-high-definition lossless audio data with the ES9039PRO, we decided to upgrade the PCB to Rogers material. This material, originally designed for military equipment, missiles, and specialized instruments, is approximately 20 times the cost of ordinary materials.

Synchronized Performance Enhancement

The performance of the headphone amplifier and independent pre-amplifier is enhanced simultaneously. The latest optimized Current Mode Amplifier, combined with a Rogers board with a dielectric constant only 1/10th of regular PCBs, shows a 30% improvement of performance in distortion test in the laboratory compared to the previous generation. There is also a noticeable improvement in the dynamic range and background tranquility, focusing on the subjective listening experience.

• The dielectric constant vs regular PCB: 1/10
• Distortion performance improved by: 30%

The headphone amplifier features a fully balanced architecture, along with APLS quad analog potentiometers, and peak current output capability of up to 3A, allowing the CMA Eighteen Master’s headphone amplifier to unleash the full potential of all high-end headphones.
The CMA Eighteen Master’s digital power and Amp/DAC power are entirely independent, ensuring the purest signal processing. An independent NORATEL toroidal transformer and Schottky rectifier provide the cleanest power to the analog side of the DAC.