Alright, I just got this thing in, maybe a half hour of listening so far and I can already tell this is a winner. Don’t want to go into too much detail yet, but I would like to actually try and put up my somewhat detailed impressions once I do get some more time with it. This will pretty much be a first for me, since I’m usually not the best at putting what I’m hearing into words, but I really want to try with this one. Stay tuned.
15 Likes
I remember wanting this so badly a long time ago. I wonder how it compares to others in its price range…
2 Likes
You know @j.fopps likes it if he’s going to write detailed impressions.
3 Likes
So I’m curious here for anyone who’s had some experience with questyle gear. Other than Focal, what are some great pairings with the questyle gear? DAC pairing can’t hurt also. Just curious for future possibilities.
The hd800 is real nice on the 800r imo (that’s what it was actually designed for hence the name), from memory the lcd 2 pf was pretty interesting and worthwhile, and pretty great with the akg k812
Dac wise it really depends on what sound you are after
1 Like
QP1R and Jomo Hakas was one of the most relaxing pairings I’ve ever heard
1 Like
When I had the CMA400i, one thing that was noticeable was how well planars did with it. I dont know if that is by design or not, but every planar I owned sounded best on the Questyle when I had it.
1 Like
Ah awesome, I have another lcd 2pf on the way to me. Glad that this amp will cover most of my bases then.
2 Likes
Likely because of the high current architecture they use.
1 Like
I didnt know if that was across the board or not as I only had the CMA400i. But that totally makes sense for sure.
I guess I just assume it’s the same across the board, but I’ve also only had the CMA400i. Their DAPs also have current mode, I think.
1 Like
Alright. Ive had what i would consider ample time with this amp to give my impressions. I did not forget about this, things have just been a bit crazy over here the last few months. This is really my first time actually trying to convey what I’m hearing, so i may not have the right words and such but ill do my best here.
So first of all let me say that since this amp has gotten in, Ive sold every other solid state amp I had here (with the exception of the Asgard 3 for a second setup), and i have not missed a single thing about any of them. This amp has also ended my constant “hm i wonder what that one is like” thought, at least for a good while. Ill get that curiosity back eventually, Im sure. It achieves everything i hoped it would. I now own 3 different pieces of Questyle gear (M12, QP2R, CMA800R) and I can say without any doubt they have a house sound, and it is one that hits my preferences perfectly.
Chain has been Bifrost 2 >>CMA800R>> LCD2PF and HD800s. Ive been meaning to get the Andromeda 2019 on there as well but i just haven’t gotten around to trying that out yet. soon. Anyway, the HD800s has definitely gotten the most time, as I haven’t been able to put it down since it got here. Just today went back to the LCD2PF for a bit so I can finally write this. So with both of these two headphones, IMO id use the following words to describe this amp: full, organic, natural, balanced, wide. It took me a while to figure out what my preference actually was, but these words pretty much describe it. I feel like there isn’t anything being emphasized enough to distract me from the big picture. Everything sounds very “correct” to me, which is how id use the words natural and organic. Its how I’d expect to hear things if i was hearing them in person, with a very satisfying warmth. I hear things having this extremely pleasant weight to them, nothing ever sounding even close to thin. I also hear a little bit of width being added, most noticeably on the LCD2PF. As for the HD800s, I learned that this amp was basically designed for this set before I had it. Kind of wish i did not know that, because i feel like i would have been able to figure this out on my own. Its such a great amp for the HD800s. Heres where i kind of lose the words to describe things. I guess I’m hearing the synergy factor here, I’m not really sure, theres just nothing that I’d want to change about it.
Its been quite an addicting setup for me, and its cured me of the constant searching and wanting to try different headphones and amps. I will eventually want to look at upgrading the DAC, but for right now I’m super satisfied. Thanks for reading, I hope my impressions were easy to understand and i look forward to expanding upon this in the future.
8 Likes
Nice lol
Glad you’re liking the setup. 800s is an awesome pair of headphones and it’s good to hear the synergy is spot on.
1 Like
I just had to pop back in here to share some thoughts mid listening session. (Warning: May not be the most coherent, im just so excited)
I just got Aeon 2 Closed in, was listening to them on the Hiby RS6. Thought they were pretty solid with that pairing, no complaints for what i paid. Then decided to take them to the desk setup and put them on the BF2>CMA800R chain. This really took them to the next level. Since ive had the Bifrost 2 a while i can say this, while the Bifrost is great on its own, this next level that im hearing is the CMA800R. Im learning more and more how to identify what this amp is doing to things.
While i may not be the best at putting this into words, I will again try my best. This amp seems to add a VERY noticeable sense of space, richness, and weight to anything ive plugged into it thus far. I cant believe this sound is coming from a closed back set right now.
Thats all for now. Wasnt meant to be a long winded thing. Just more and more blown away by this amp as time goes on and i hear it with more things. Just felt like sharing.
12 Likes
Happy to hear you are enjoying the Aeon 2. I’m listening to my Aeon 2 Noire at the moment as well on my EM5 > Luxman P-1u. Very enjoyable and relaxing set of headphones. Listening to Run by Collective Soul and it sounds excellent.
4 Likes
TLDR: Does anyone know how to tell if a cma800r is a 110 or 220v?
Long story, back in February i bought a pair of Que cma800r. They arrive, i check omit out, they look good, and they both play. Today I find myself with a balanced headphone and some time. So i figure i try out the dual mono block thing and notice on the other box it says 220v, must be just a generic box right, well i look at the power cord and its an EU two circle prong!
Fuck!
I tested it prior and used the first good unit’s chord (not knowing) and all was fine and it played correctly. They have the same usual 3 prong connection on the amp
To those that know more than me. Would/did using a US chord on the 220v unit potentially cause damage or an issue? I am also trying to see if it really is a 220v as the spots that say 110v on the other unit are blank on this one.
I have already sent a message to the seller asking what gives as non of this was disclosed.
Running 110V AC into something expecting 220V AC, is unlikely to damage anything, but I’m surprised it worked at all, usually the first thing that happens is it goes through a stepdown transformer and 1/2 the voltage in means half the voltage out, and I’d expect something to have issues with that.
3 Likes
Same. There is a chance this isnt 220v but with the serial stickers on the documentation and on the actual amp mismatching this feels more of a con job. I cant imagine this guy ran both, one Us plug 110v, the other 220v
According to the manual, it covers both voltages. I don’t know if “internal switchable” means you have to flick a switch inside the box (which presumably the previous owner would have done), but I suspect it’s automatic. When I moved from England to the US, all my audio equipment could automatically support both voltages.
Edit: According to the 6 Moons review, there is a 115/230V chassis-mount voltage selector attached to the PCB. And for once, I’m grateful that 6 Moons pads their reviews with pictures. Open up your case and see what yours is set to.
5 Likes
Good info ill put a ticket in with Questyle. The manual in the boxes are sparse.
1 Like