Reviews by Magol79
Equipment used
Headphones: Arya Stealth, ZMF Auteur, ZMF Eikon
Amp/dac: RME ADI-2 (AKM 4493)
Tubeamp: Feliks Audio Euforia mkII (2019 ver)
Tubes: WE421A, Ken-Rad VT-231
Features
Having owned and daily driven a CMA400i for a few years, I have always been interested in Questyles newer models.
When I learned that the CMA Fifteen would sport analog inputs my interested shot up even more. Compared to the older models, CMA400i and CMA Twelve, the new CMA Fifteen now also offers analog inputs via RCA connectors. This means you can choose between using the built in dac or connecting an external dac. The built in dac is based on an ESS chip, the ES9038PRO.
Build
Ever since the CMA400i I have been very impressed by Questyle's build quality for their desktop models. There is a very solid feeling to the whole unit. When you pick it up there is some serious heft to it. The previous two models sported a beefy toroidal transformer, which I assume is the case for the CMA Fifteen as well. It's nice to have an amp that stays put when you connect your headphones, without having to hold it down.
Sound
The first thing that struck me was the grip this amp has on the headphones. There's no slack or looseness to the sound. A prominent quality of the older CMA400i was the blackground, this quality has been inherited by the newer model. Everything is clear and easy to pick out from top to bottom. The low end is clean and carries impressive impact.
The soundstage is wide and well defined, imaging is handled very well. The amp is good at sorting out complex musical passages. Panning instruments don’t blend together with the rest into an incoherent mess.
VS RME ADI-2 (AKM 4493)
The CMA15 gives a wider left-right staging on panning sounds. The ADI-2 is more center focused.
Better imaging, much clearer image placement on the CMA15. The ADI-2 pushes things together in comparison.
The CMA15 has a richer more fleshed out bass response. The ADI-2 sounds like it is lacking some low end body, I perceive it as being more mids focused.
With the ZMF Eikon listening to Peter Zimmermann's “Close To You” from the Let’s Dance album, voices are clearer and sound more present on the Fifteen compared to the ADI-2. This is with both units running on their respective internal dacs.
Listening to RATM “Killing in the name of” with the ZMF Eikon on the Fifteen is pure pleasure. This is how RATM sounds in my mind when I think about their music. Shout out to the Eikons for being such an excellent pair of closed backs.
VS Euforia (WE421A and Ken-Rad VT231)
Now, this is a bit of an apple to oranges comparison. I don't like to compare solid state amps to tube amps, I rather think of them as separate things. It's like comparing CD and vinyl players. The are different from each other, but both can make music come alive. Some of you may be interested in what you gain/lose when switching to tubes.
I should note that this tube combo more focus on the low end focus and some rolled of treble.
The Euforia sounds even more fleshed out. Less dry. Voices have a more natural presentation. The male vocal presentation on the Fifteen sounds a little bit thin in comparison (“Drama” – Christine, Atom From Heart)
Stronger center image on the CMA Fifteen. More spread out sound on the Euforia.
More up front presentation on the CMA15. Images are closer to you. On the Euforia, things take a step back and are positioned further away from you. (“Bombtrack” – RATM)
Summary
The CMA Fifteen is an excellent amplifier with a competent dac, rock solid build quality and a good selection of input and output options. It has the power and control to drive both high ohm dynamic headphones and planar headphones while delivering great sound quality. If you are looking for a high end AIO, you really can't go wrong with the CMA Fifteen.
Headphones: Arya Stealth, ZMF Auteur, ZMF Eikon
Amp/dac: RME ADI-2 (AKM 4493)
Tubeamp: Feliks Audio Euforia mkII (2019 ver)
Tubes: WE421A, Ken-Rad VT-231
Features
Having owned and daily driven a CMA400i for a few years, I have always been interested in Questyles newer models.
When I learned that the CMA Fifteen would sport analog inputs my interested shot up even more. Compared to the older models, CMA400i and CMA Twelve, the new CMA Fifteen now also offers analog inputs via RCA connectors. This means you can choose between using the built in dac or connecting an external dac. The built in dac is based on an ESS chip, the ES9038PRO.
Build
Ever since the CMA400i I have been very impressed by Questyle's build quality for their desktop models. There is a very solid feeling to the whole unit. When you pick it up there is some serious heft to it. The previous two models sported a beefy toroidal transformer, which I assume is the case for the CMA Fifteen as well. It's nice to have an amp that stays put when you connect your headphones, without having to hold it down.
Sound
The first thing that struck me was the grip this amp has on the headphones. There's no slack or looseness to the sound. A prominent quality of the older CMA400i was the blackground, this quality has been inherited by the newer model. Everything is clear and easy to pick out from top to bottom. The low end is clean and carries impressive impact.
The soundstage is wide and well defined, imaging is handled very well. The amp is good at sorting out complex musical passages. Panning instruments don’t blend together with the rest into an incoherent mess.
VS RME ADI-2 (AKM 4493)
The CMA15 gives a wider left-right staging on panning sounds. The ADI-2 is more center focused.
Better imaging, much clearer image placement on the CMA15. The ADI-2 pushes things together in comparison.
The CMA15 has a richer more fleshed out bass response. The ADI-2 sounds like it is lacking some low end body, I perceive it as being more mids focused.
With the ZMF Eikon listening to Peter Zimmermann's “Close To You” from the Let’s Dance album, voices are clearer and sound more present on the Fifteen compared to the ADI-2. This is with both units running on their respective internal dacs.
Listening to RATM “Killing in the name of” with the ZMF Eikon on the Fifteen is pure pleasure. This is how RATM sounds in my mind when I think about their music. Shout out to the Eikons for being such an excellent pair of closed backs.
VS Euforia (WE421A and Ken-Rad VT231)
Now, this is a bit of an apple to oranges comparison. I don't like to compare solid state amps to tube amps, I rather think of them as separate things. It's like comparing CD and vinyl players. The are different from each other, but both can make music come alive. Some of you may be interested in what you gain/lose when switching to tubes.
I should note that this tube combo more focus on the low end focus and some rolled of treble.
The Euforia sounds even more fleshed out. Less dry. Voices have a more natural presentation. The male vocal presentation on the Fifteen sounds a little bit thin in comparison (“Drama” – Christine, Atom From Heart)
Stronger center image on the CMA Fifteen. More spread out sound on the Euforia.
More up front presentation on the CMA15. Images are closer to you. On the Euforia, things take a step back and are positioned further away from you. (“Bombtrack” – RATM)
Summary
The CMA Fifteen is an excellent amplifier with a competent dac, rock solid build quality and a good selection of input and output options. It has the power and control to drive both high ohm dynamic headphones and planar headphones while delivering great sound quality. If you are looking for a high end AIO, you really can't go wrong with the CMA Fifteen.
