[gLer]

@gLer, I will have to order a balanced aux cable but I will definitely test this out with my Sony NW-WM1ZM2. That sounds like an interesting use case and experiment.

Thanks, yes, I'm surprised it doesn't come with a balanced interconnect in the box. This could well be my primary use case for it if the amp quality is up to par.

 

[Tex Irie]

Thanks, yes, I'm surprised it doesn't come with a balanced interconnect in the box. This could well be my primary use case for it if the amp quality is up to par.

You're welcome @gLer!

 

[someyoungguy]

Can someone please try using the CMA-18P as a portable amp with balanced line-in from a TOTL DAP, and let us know if it improves on the DAP's amp stage?

My understanding is that the analogue inputs are for using the CMA18p as an analogue-to-digital converter only, not as a standalone amp. The CMA18p can output digital audio from the USB port, e.g. to a computer or other DAC, in combination with an analogue source like vinyl. I've tried to use it as an amp only just to check and haven't been able to get any audio out of the headphone jacks.

 

[gLer]

My understanding is that the analogue inputs are for using the CMA18p as an analogue-to-digital converter only, not as a standalone amp. The CMA18p can output digital audio from the USB port, e.g. to a computer or other DAC, in combination with an analogue source like vinyl. I've tried to use it as an amp only just to check and haven't been able to get any audio out of the headphone jacks.

Hmm, that's disappointing to hear. Missed opportunity - I mean, what would audiophiles need ADC recording for in this day and age? If you already have analogue audio coming in via Line In, why not route it to the headphone ports? Strange.

 

[TheFritz]

My understanding is that the analogue inputs are for using the CMA18p as an analogue-to-digital converter only, not as a standalone amp. The CMA18p can output digital audio from the USB port, e.g. to a computer or other DAC, in combination with an analogue source like vinyl. I've tried to use it as an amp only just to check and haven't been able to get any audio out of the headphone jacks.

That is not correct. You can use the CMA18 as an amp for your analogue sources with input to the Line-In ports and "direct" output to the headphone jacks (it is however internally ADC-DAC converted obviously). This also works when not connected to a USB-Host for recording. You just have to select "BAL" as input for the 4.4mm and "AUX" as input for the 3.5mm SE. The internal conversion is presumably not improving the sound quality of your source but it is great for convenience.

 

[gLer]

That is not correct. You can use the CMA18 as an amp for your analogue sources with input to the Line-In ports and "direct" output to the headphone jacks (it is however internally ADC-DAC converted obviously). This also works when not connected to a USB-Host for recording. You just have to select "BAL" as input for the 4.4mm and "AUX" as input for the 3.5mm SE. The internal conversion is presumably not improving the sound quality of your source but it is great for convenience.

So the analogue input goes through the AK4493 DACs before its output again to the headphone ports? So you basically lose the DAC quality of your source?

 

[TheFritz]

So the analogue input goes through the AK4493 DACs before its output again to the headphone ports? So you basically lose the DAC quality of your source?

Yes. I guess that's why they advertise this only as recording function (to a USB-host) "with simultaneous monitoring from the headphone outputs" of the CMA18p and not as analogue amplifier. But you can also "monitor the recording" with your headphones without being connected to any USB-host.

The moment you connect the CMA18p via USB while listening to the BAL input to a PC(or tablet ...) the REC-LED lights up but nothing changes w.r.t. the "monitoring" of BAL/AUX and you can continue to listen to the input signal and now also record it on the PC if you wish to do so. If you unplug the CMA18p from your USB-host, the monitoring continues as before.

So everything from the Line-Inputs is passed through the 48khz/32bit ADC and the DAC-Amp of the CMA18p. It is not meant as a pure analogue amplifier (but it still sounds quite good and relatively transparent if you keep your input levels at or below +2 dBu).

 

[someyoungguy]

That is not correct. You can use the CMA18 as an amp for your analogue sources with input to the Line-In ports and "direct" output to the headphone jacks (it is however internally ADC-DAC converted obviously). This also works when not connected to a USB-Host for recording. You just have to select "BAL" as input for the 4.4mm and "AUX" as input for the 3.5mm SE. The internal conversion is presumably not improving the sound quality of your source but it is great for convenience.

Maybe I'll try it again, but the important point I was trying to make is that it isn't a stand-alone amp, the analogue inputs are doing analogue to digital conversion. Seems like you'd just lose resolution from the additional conversion steps, but I guess if you like the particular sound you get from some combination it would be worthwhile. It does seem like an unusual design choice rather than just being able to use it as an amp only.

 

[Aeonyx]

Has anyone compared CMA18 with the Luxury & Precision W4? Having a hard time deciding between the two.

Thanks

 

[neobandog1]

W4 is nothing special better buy fiio q15 for same money instead....cma18 is very expensive

 

[sofastreamer]

it might be the price for better sound and much much much more conveniant size and weight

 

[baneand]

Interestingly there is still no data on the website about wight in grams - does anyone know how much is it exactly? I am guessing somewhere around 100-200g

Edit, from the Bloom audio review video it says 6 oz which should be 170g

 

[bassfreak93]

Guys can someone tell me how this would work with Fatfreq scarlet mini?
currently i have fiio k7 and wondering should i get k9 akm or this?

 

[forsakenedzero]

Hmm, that's disappointing to hear. Missed opportunity - I mean, what would audiophiles need ADC recording for in this day and age? If you already have analogue audio coming in via Line In, why not route it to the headphone ports? Strange.

That is not correct. You can use the CMA18 as an amp for your analogue sources with input to the Line-In ports and "direct" output to the headphone jacks (it is however internally ADC-DAC converted obviously). This also works when not connected to a USB-Host for recording. You just have to select "BAL" as input for the 4.4mm and "AUX" as input for the 3.5mm SE. The internal conversion is presumably not improving the sound quality of your source but it is great for convenience.

Did you try stacking a dongle from the usb c output of cma to a dongle? I know it mainly meant to record audio but I am wondering if it can actually power a dongle and what would be the outcome of processing the output in such a way.

 

[TheFritz]

Did you try stacking a dongle from the usb c output of cma to a dongle? I know it mainly meant to record audio but I am wondering if it can actually power a dongle and what would be the outcome of processing the output in such a way.

I think I get your idea and such an application would be nice but I'm afraid, that's not how these things work. The CMA18p is just an audio device with output plus recording/input channels to the USB-host device (normally your PC, Mac, Phone, DAP or tablet ...) - just like any other audio interface for studio recording etc.

It is not in itself a USB-host for other devices and not capable to stream USB-audio to an external DAC or to "negotiate" any power delivery with an attached dongle or self-powered DAC.

Thus plugging a DAC/Dongle into the USB-C-port of the CMA18p while in BAL/Line-In recording mode does not provide any useful USB-audio data for an external DAC to play. The CMA18p is a kind of passive device, controlled by the USB-host which provides or retrieves the USB-audio data to/from the CMA18p.

Despite knowing all this, I tested it anyway (I am a scientist so I experiment) to check how an external DAC and the CMA18p behave in this setting and interestingly, the REC- and XMOS-USB-Processing LEDs of the CMA18p lit up but the external DAC are not recognized and not powered ... as expected.