HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp - The Official Thread

[OnlySoMany]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

Niimbus
Enleum 23R
Moon 430ha
Zähl

 

[Viktorsa]

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Vote also for Nimbus, Zahl HM1, and even if it's a bit unusual Cayin Soul 170HA

 

[leylandi]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

Silver Fox
Bliss
AMP23R
US5
394II
P750u MKII
Prelude
Mentor

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

I'd add the Violectric 550 Prom if you can get your hands on one. I'm not sure if it makes sense to include it if the Niimbus is tonally similar.

 

[genefruit]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

anything that doesn't involve a tube output stage seems fair game.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Mass Kobo 394 mk2. Same price range. Both SS. Fair comparison.

 

[rsbrsvp]

The problem of any comparison is that the tuning and the other components might favor one amplifier over the other, and unless one spends lot of time, exchanging a lot of equipment to properly synergize with the amplifier you are testing, the results will come out skewed. I guess the idea is to compare general strengths and weaknesses, along with general sound profile rather than making conclusions as to which is better or worse.

 

[vsrrr]

Other SS amps you know well that are +/- 25% of the cost of the CFA3 ($3k-$5k range) feels like the most practical and relevant comparisons. I'd vote:
Holo Bliss KTE
Ferrum Oof+Hypsos
Violectric V550
Cen Grand Silver Fox
Burson Soloist Voyager

 

[Hiker816]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

I presume you are already planning on it, but I'd love to hear your take on the comparison to your Audma, despite the price difference.

 

[paradoxper]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

You should go for the CFA3 hybrid. It'd be a useful comparison.

 

[George Hincapie]

Guys

I am planning to drop my Headamp CFA 3 review soon.

What are some contender amps you would like to see comparisons with?

Thanks

Holo Bliss, Mass Kobo 465, Zahl HM1 and ZMF Aegis.

 

[skylinekursk]

Zahl, Niimbus, Headtrip, GSX-mk2, mass kobo 465

 

[rsbrsvp]

How long till cfa3 hybrid is ready?

 

[chesebert]

The problem of any comparison is that the tuning and the other components might favor one amplifier over the other, and unless one spends lot of time, exchanging a lot of equipment to properly synergize with the amplifier you are testing, the results will come out skewed. I guess the idea is to compare general strengths and weaknesses, along with general sound profile rather than making conclusions as to which is better or worse.

Exactly. CFA3 can go from analytical and harsh to warm, full and even lush depending on the associated equipment. It’s generally hard to evaluate a neutral high powered SS amp. You have to try a bunch of dacs and headphones to get an idea of the performance.

 

[number1sixerfan]

The problem of any comparison is that the tuning and the other components might favor one amplifier over the other, and unless one spends lot of time, exchanging a lot of equipment to properly synergize with the amplifier you are testing, the results will come out skewed. I guess the idea is to compare general strengths and weaknesses, along with general sound profile rather than making conclusions as to which is better or worse.

Agree, but this is just the case across the board in the hobby with any gear. And synergy is more of a subjective thing anyway. So I think general strengths and weaknesses evaluated on a decent chain kept consistent are always the best output, and then users can personalize and experiment on their own with chain synergy.

And agree with @paradoxper, if it were somehow possible, a CFA3 vs. CFA3 Hybrid would be far more interesting than I think anything else.