[Chefguru]

A remote volume control is what has me considering upgrading from my GSX-mkII. Not everyone is within arms reach of their headphone amp.

I could see the downside if it was part of the standard model's feature set as many wouldn't need/use it so wouldn't want to pay for it.

Most high-end dacs have remotes that can do the same functionality since they're also catering to a speaker market.
I have a dac that cost less than the upgrade differential that has a remote that would do that. I guess I'm not the market.

 

[purk]

A 47 stepped attenuator to me worth at least $500 if not more. Please make that an option.

 

[paradoxper]

I would just make it one version. How many people will buy a $4k+ solid state headphone amp these days - 50? 100?

Bah. I'm considering the HeadAmp CFA3. Less people have this issue.

 

[HeadAmpTeam]

A 47 stepped attenuator to me worth at least $500 if not more. Please make that an option.

this is the standard. The option is for the same 47 step to be motorized with a custom stepper motor, which you can also operate by remote

 

[Chefguru]

I would just make it one version. How many people will buy a $4k+ solid state headphone amp these days - 50? 100?

It's a good question, I bet over the next 5+ years it'll have 100s of purchases. Seems like the two versions will use the same case, so probably no real downside for HA to offer it (even if I don't really get the appeal of the remote).

For a dynamic/planar SS is the superior option since it requires a step-down (unlike estats). Having a commercial ver of the amp is such great news. Makes it really easy to blanket recommend for majority of TOTL D/P headphones. I'm more wondering about how many GC amp buyers there will be.

 

[chesebert]

Bah. I'm considering the HeadAmp CFA3. Less people have this issue.

You definitely need a second CFA3

 

[newToAudio100]

I would just make it one version. How many people will buy a $4k+ solid state headphone amp these days - 50? 100?

I think the market is bigger than that. 4-5k for a solid state is a lot and there is competition at lower prices but I can imagine there have been tens of thousands of susvaras /ab 1266 phi tcs sold around the world. To me it still feels like a lot but it's all relative. If it actually is better than the competition and meets its niche then it will sell. Really depends on marketing and word of mouth.

 

[chesebert]

It's a good question, I bet over the next 5+ years it'll have 100s of purchases. Seems like the two versions will use the same case, so probably no real downside for HA to offer it (even if I don't really get the appeal of the remote).

For a dynamic/planar SS is the superior option since it requires a step-down (unlike estats). Having a commercial ver of the amp is such great news. Makes it really easy to blanket recommend for majority of TOTL D/P headphones. I'm more wondering about how many GC amp buyers there will be.

My point was that they should just offer the most expensive (highest margin) model. For TOTL buyers, the difference between $4k and 5K is not all that great. I would probably price it the same as Zahl and load up on premium options and parts.

 

[purk]

Hell, I am neck-deep in amps and still want the Headamp CFA-3. There is a 4.4 mm headphone out jack for me as well!

 

[chesebert]

I think the market is bigger than that. 4-5k for a solid state is a lot and there is competition at lower prices but I can imagine there have been tens of thousands of susvaras /ab 1266 phi tcs sold around the world. To me it still feels like a lot but it's all relative. If it actually is better than the competition and meets its niche then it will sell. Really depends on marketing and word of mouth.

you would be surprise at how small the high-end headphone electronics market is - people are no longer flushed with cash like 2021.

 

[newToAudio100]

you would be surprise at how small the high-end headphone electronics market is - people are no longer flushed with cash like 2021.

Things have definitely slowed down. I was estimating for total lifetime sales. No way of really knowing unless you get info from hifiman on sales or from abyss. A lot of these high end amps probably don't sell much initially but over time if they gain a reputation and if the brand has a reputation I suppose it adds up.

High end market is definitely a niche. Headamp knows their customers. Hopefully the amp performs well and feels worth it, and is successful for headamp long term. I don't know how many high end headphones actually sell but it has to be higher than hundreds.

 

[Makiah S]

that's what I thought, but I find myself using the remote all the time

Likewise, especially when I’m sitting back relaxing at night and listening to music. I don’t wanna have to lean all the way forward to fuss with knob, not when there is a remote right next to me

Yes, I can attenuate digitally, but I’d rather not. I prefer to just leave my source at line level

 

[chesebert]

Things have definitely slowed down. I was estimating for total lifetime sales. No way of really knowing unless you get info from hifiman on sales or from abyss. A lot of these high end amps probably don't sell much initially but over time if they gain a reputation and if the brand has a reputation I suppose it adds up.

High end market is definitely a niche. Headamp knows their customers. Hopefully the amp performs well and feels worth it, and is successful for headamp long term. I don't know how many high end headphones actually sell but it has to be higher than hundreds.

I think DCA sold a few hundred Stealth a year when they were hot. No idea the situation now.

 

[Ciggavelli]

The TOTL headphone world is a lot smaller than one might expect. I was talking with the Spirit Torino guys at Can Jam NYC, and they said they only sold like 35 Valkyrias. Then I bought some limited edition th900mk2s a couple of years after the release year (which was limited to a 100). I'd say that there aren't as many hardcore headphone heads as maybe the internet suggests. I think that people in the hobby are just really vocal online, which is, of course, great.

I'd bet like 10-15 people buy the Grand Cayman, and maybe like 50-75 buy the CFA3. I guess relatively speaking, that's still a lot, but it's not thousands by any means. You have to know what you are purchasing with these amps. Like, you don't walk into the headamp store and randomly pick up a CFA3.

 

[justin w.]

STAX has made about 1,000 of the SR-X9000 so far, in just over 2 years. Comes out to about 1.4 per day. for comparison Apple sells about 250,000 Air Pods per day

there's probably about a dozen pairs in Manhattan, but you could spot that many pairs of Air Pods almost at any single location