moonhead said:

  BydoEmpire
 
I see you have the Asus essence one, how does that compere to Questyle ? 

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I'd say the CMA800R gives a wider sound stage with better separation/details in comparison to using the HP amp on the E1 (at least with the HD800s). Don't get me wrong I think the 800s pair well with the E1 built in amp but CMA800R + HD800 =

Darn now I'm hungry.

For anyone interested, my review of the Questyle Q192 is now posted. It's very good, among the best affordable DAC/amp solutions I've seen - assuming you don't need loads of power. Sort of an opposite approach compared to Audio GD, in terms of both current levels as well as signature. 

Thanks a lot for the review, it does indeed seem like a great option for the HD800s.
 
Having listened to the HD800s with the CAS192 plus CMA800, how would you describe the SQ difference between this much more expensive configuration and the Q192?
 
 
Cheers

The CAS192 plus CMA800R is definitely an extension of the Q192 sound signature. It's not like it deviates and becomes some completely different animal - the Questyle sound is still in full display. Since the big combo is over 4 times the price, you'd expect a significant improvement. And that's exactly what you get.
 
The CAS192 is more resolving than the Q192. It digs deeper into the recording for superior microdetail, bigger soundstage, more accurate imaging, all that good stuff. Q192 is very good for what it is, but will become a bottleneck when used in a really high end system. Which is not unexpected given the price.
 
Likewise, CMA800R is a juiced up version of the Q192 amp section. Or rather I should say Q192 amp is a "lite" version of the big amp. With the CMA800R, expect a more full-bodied tone, more dynamic presentation, and even higher resolution than the already good Q192. Also, it can comfortably drive more power hungry cans, where the Q192 is better suited for easier loads. 
 
Q192 is a great starter device - I can easily recommend it for someone looking to build a system. Grab the Q192 and then start going through headphones to see what you like - try some Grados, an HD598, Audio Technica AD900X, the Focal Spirit Pro.... just see what sort of signature you prefer. Throw in some HiFiMAN RE-400 or maybe even some custom IEMs from 1964 Ears or Cosmic Ears, and you'll be all set. Oh, and don't forget the Emotiva Airmotiv 4 as well, in your desktop rig (controlled by Q192 of course!). 

Wondering if anyone in the Seattle area has a CMA800?  It sounds like what I'm looking for, but I'd really like to hear it before buying one.  

Thanks for the detailed comparison project86

Anyone compared this to the HDVD800/HDVA600?

sonido said:

Anyone compared this to the HDVD800/HDVA600?

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't those the same to some degree? And one has d/a onboard and other - doesn't? So basicly amp setion should sound the same? But then again... I might be wrong.

00lunar said:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't those the same to some degree? And one has d/a onboard and other - doesn't? So basicly amp setion should sound the same? But then again... I might be wrong.

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Yup. That's why I was wondering if anyone tried out either one of those and the CMA800 or CMA800R.

sonido said:

Yup. That's why I was wondering if anyone tried out either one of those and the CMA800 or CMA800R.

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I reviewed HDVD800 and to be honest, pricewise I wasn't that impressed. One thing that comes to my mind now is that Senns brick was quite sharp, but I reviewed it a while ago (may 2013). I don't want to guess, since both CMA800R and HDVD weren't compared side by side. But if I had to pick, well, there's only one way for me to go with amp now in around 1500$ price range. Anyway, conclusion of my review was as follows: with HD 800 Phoenix paired with NuForce DAC-9 performed better than HDVD800. Though there's some synergy between Senns integrated and HD 800 for sure.

Read through all 19 pages so far and saying that my interest has peaked for this amp is definitely an understatement. Is there any chance someone can compare this to the Mjolnir when running LCDs ?

Saer
 
I had the Mjolnir amp before, one of the biggest disappointments in my Hifi journey, i now have Questyle cma800r and this is endgame for me
- Mjolnir doesn't even come close to the Questyle in built quality and most important in performance

moonhead said:

  Saer
 
I had the Mjolnir amp before, one of the biggest disappointments in my Hifi journey, i now have Questyle cma800r and this is endgame for me
- Mjolnir doesn't even come close to the Questyle in built quality and most important in performance

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Ya, I figured as much   What was your setup when you had the Mjolnir and what heaphones were you using ?
 
What about the Gungnir feeding the CMA, temporarily ?

I returned Mjolnir/Gungnir after two weeks, it had an very unnatural sound signature, especially in the top, Very very bright,  but i was using it with HE6. 
But if that wasn't enough, the built quality looked and felt very cheap, as if the company didn't even try.. maybe is could work well Audeze, I'm not sure, but Questyle is really in a whole different league. 
I would urge you to stay away from schiit gear and go the questyle route  
- i doesn't colour the sound i any way.

moonhead said:

  I returned Mjolnir/Gungnir after two weeks, it had an very unnatural sound signature, especially in the top, Very very bright,  but i was using it with HE6. 
But if that wasn't enough, the built quality looked and felt very cheap, as if the company didn't even try.. maybe is could work well Audeze, I'm not sure, but Questyle is really in a whole different league. 
I would urge you to stay away from schiit gear and go the questyle route  
- i doesn't colour the sound i any way.

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Ahh I see, the M/G stack has been mentioned a few times that it doesn't pair well with the HE-6 as not many headphone amps do. 
 
My experience with Schiit gear has been quite enjoyable thus far but I am itching to try something else, the CMA looks like just the thing to fulfill that urge 
 
Would still very much like to hear from people who have been able to compare this and the Molnir when driving LCDs.