Manufacturers return on investment would be better realized by pricing at 5k and selling a lot more amps. Pricing at near 10k+ precludes a lot of would-be buyers from buying at the asking price. Plus there are other builders making great CFA3 amps selling at reasonable prices.
HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp - The Official Thread
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newToAudio100
100+ Head-Fier
I'm also still not sure what makes it even worth 5k. I'm hoping it is "better" than the cfa3s you can get by builders on headfi. I've seen used upgraded cfa3s with external psu for as low as 1600 on classifieds. There is a maxed upgraded cfa3 230v for 1800 with external psu for sale right now on audiophile style. I pre ordered the cfa3 but for 5k I'm really hoping to see totl parts used in this cfa3. 10k I would be out no question. I understand they are still working on it and I'm looking forward to seeing what it's capable of. I just know I won't be willing to spend 5k without it being exceptional. I almost bought a used maxed cfa3 for 1600 but decided to wait for headamp.
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There's clearly not £5K in material cost in any amp, but it is what it is. See how the reviews are and find a way to make peace with it.
Fegefeuer
Headphoneus Supremus
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Well, you get service, support, rigorous testing, parts replacement for a few years down, you gotta factor in ROI etc...it's a different game compared to DIY.
What's the definition of maxxed anyway? If you go DIY and put parts into your basket that would fit the term maxxed, a set of WBT silver speaker outs can cost you over 400€. Now add WBT/AECO RCA, XLR inputs etc and you are at 1000€ now, just for inputs.
My custom amp cost 4k in parts before the price explosions of 2020+, now the whole sum would be a good bit over 5k before anyone even touched a screw driver. If it wasn't my friend building it the man hours would add an insane amount on top as he builds very well with great care and tuning.
Now I am curious about a CFA3 too and looked at a few builds and it might sound arrogant from the perspective of someone who might get killed while DIY but most haven't impressed me at all save for one or two. I'd rather have the headamp one but will go DIY in the end since I am located in Europe. Add customs, shipping and it's beyond saving. DIY again. One day.
What's the definition of maxxed anyway? If you go DIY and put parts into your basket that would fit the term maxxed, a set of WBT silver speaker outs can cost you over 400€. Now add WBT/AECO RCA, XLR inputs etc and you are at 1000€ now, just for inputs.
My custom amp cost 4k in parts before the price explosions of 2020+, now the whole sum would be a good bit over 5k before anyone even touched a screw driver. If it wasn't my friend building it the man hours would add an insane amount on top as he builds very well with great care and tuning.
Now I am curious about a CFA3 too and looked at a few builds and it might sound arrogant from the perspective of someone who might get killed while DIY but most haven't impressed me at all save for one or two. I'd rather have the headamp one but will go DIY in the end since I am located in Europe. Add customs, shipping and it's beyond saving. DIY again. One day.
newToAudio100
100+ Head-Fier
I too am looking forward to the amp. I've tried a few solid state amps. Considering the price I'm just hoping this amp can really be one of the go to for susvara and abyss, which are my primary two headphones. I've tried the Bliss kte, Niimbus, and MJ3 for these two headphones and I liked them all.Interested to see how the cfa3 compares to these amps. 4-5k isn't cheap and I would say it should at least aim to "beat" the cfa3s available for 3k or less and beat the bliss. Somewhat subjective but we'll see how it goes.
Looking forward to seeing what is offered considering it's going to be headamps premiere flagship for susvara and abyss. I'm sure it will be good. Has anyone here had a chance to listen at CanJam?
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Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
Soooo after taking pre orders for months now, are we closer to actual models, price, and options? Not in a hurry and not criticizing but the site looks outdated stating fall launch when it’s new year launch?
ChJL
500+ Head-Fier
One more!
But wouldn't it be unreasonably more expensive for us EU the US customers?
Chefguru
Headphoneus Supremus
I’m getting flashbacks to when headamp first released the BHSE and people were waiting over a year to get theirs. Hopefully this time it’s done reversed and the amps will be ready to go once the preorder is done
rwelles
1000+ Head-Fier
Question for anyone that's heard a prototype: what are the sonic differences between ZF (zero feedback??) and SS (?) modes?
I think SS is Super Symmetry mode but would also like to understand the difference between the two sonically.
Have a CFA3 built by Dukei with the switch.
Most people like the Zero Feedback and here is a post that talks about it briefly.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kg-cfa3-headphone-amp.938064/post-17763570
chesebert
18 Years An Extra-Hardcore Head-Fi'er
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ZF for me. SS might be too clinical for my tastes.
paradoxper
Headphoneus Supremus
Clearly not even close. And if people actually understood BOM costs in context of these amps, they'd learn something.
cost of materials, the internals, is only one part of an amp. there is also designing the amp, the case work and then actually building it. you are paying for all of this. of course, as the amp becomes more expensive there is an expectation that premium/better quality parts will be used in assembly.
This thread really resembles the early stages of BHSE thread.
Keep it up guys.
Keep it up guys.
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