HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp - The Official Thread

[chesebert]

I received my semi-deluxe and got to spend a few hours with it today. Here are my initial impressions.

• The form factor is great. It was one of the primary reasons I purchased it. I have an audio rack, but I wanted to leave room for headphones + an amp at the top. As you can see this fits perfectly without being comically large like some amps.
• The sound is BIG. I'm surprised by the amount of low end heft that this added over the OOR.
• Very transparent. OOR is about the same here, but maybe a direct A/B would bring out some differences.
• Top end is less relaxed than I expected. I've only used it with the Caldera so far and I guess they are supposed to have a smoother top end, but I'm getting the impression there is slightly less energy up top compared to the OOR. Maybe this is considered smooth and 'not harsh' by some, but I wouldn't have called the OOR harsh either. I'm guessing the CFA3 is allowing the Caldera to operate to their fullest, which might be perceived as slightly lower top end energy. I need more time to know for sure, maybe my ears are just tired. I listen to a very wide range of music and when listening to EDM I was finding myself wanting just a bit more top end energy. For most other music this wasn't really noticeable.
• Soundstage is wider than OOR. This was my main complaint with the OOR paired with the Caldera - it was too closed in for me at times. This is better, but not mind blowing.
• ZF/SS: Not sure where I will land here. I was leaning towards SS for the most part because it sounds cleaner to me. ZF seems more dynamic and pushes the mids forward. At lower volumes, or with poorer recordings, I prefer ZF. SS for everything else. This will probably change, but I welcome having choices!

Dukei version with the Toshiba output devices have more relaxed and natural top end than the headamp version. Dukei CFA3 is also a bit more fuller and grander sounding to me.

 

[gryphonos]

Hi,
probably a naive question:

are the headamp amps only offered by the manufacturer or are there also distributors, e.g. in Europe?

Thanks.

 

[lostumpire]

Will there be any Black Friday price offers?

 

[lostumpire]

I just realized I can get both Wandla and Oor for this price. What would you get? CFA3 or the set?

 

[Sajid Amit]

I just realized I can get both Wandla and Oor for this price. What would you get? CFA3 or the set?

I am expecting both to reach me this month. The CFA 3 is supposed to ship out this week as per the recent email from Headamp. The Wandla and OOR may reach me sooner. I am traveling for the next few weeks otherwise could have done a quick written impressions post for you.

But really depends on your use case. The CFA 3, from all accounts, punches far above its price class. @paradoxper and @jlbrach can weigh in more. I also hear it is dynamic and energetic which I always welcome, given my genre preferences.

I have already tested the Hypsos and OOR and while the amp is quite powerful, I found it somewhat polite in the treble which may or may not suit your overall chain.

 

[Exekuhtor]

I just realized I can get both Wandla and Oor for this price. What would you get? CFA3 or the set?

I think the Wandla only makes sense in the Goldensound edition, the features are really attractive.
While Oor + Hypsos were "ok", it was nothing mindblowing. It was FINE, but not more. The upgrade to the Envy was gigantic and i highly suspect that the CFA3 will also be on another level than the Oor.

 

[paradoxper]

I am expecting both to reach me this month. The CFA 3 is supposed to ship out this week as per the recent email from Headamp. The Wandla and OOR may reach me sooner. I am traveling for the next few weeks otherwise could have done a quick written impressions post for you.

But really depends on your use case. The CFA 3, from all accounts, punches far above its price class. @paradoxper and @jlbrach can weigh in more. I also hear it is dynamic and energetic which I always welcome, given my genre preferences.

I have already tested the Hypsos and OOR and while the amp is quite powerful, I found it somewhat polite in the treble which may or may not suit your overall chain.

We have custom builds. I am not sure at all how the Headamp is meaningfully different.

 

[JLoud]

I recieved my HeadAmp CFA3 last week. Have only used it with the Susvara so far. Planning on trying it with the LCD4 and HE6se as well as Stealth over the next couple of weeks. But I can attest to the fact it is incredible with the Susvara. Best I've heard it. My previous preferred amps were the WA33 and Wells Audio Dragon lv3 tube hybrid. I'll leave more detailed thoughts later.

 

[naynay]

I just realized I can get both Wandla and Oor for this price. What would you get? CFA3 or the set?

The Niimbus US5 not ticked all the boxes for you?

 

[chesebert]

I think the Wandla only makes sense in the Goldensound edition, the features are really attractive.
While Oor + Hypsos were "ok", it was nothing mindblowing. It was FINE, but not more. The upgrade to the Envy was gigantic and i highly suspect that the CFA3 will also be on another level than the Oor.

I think CFA3 is not quite at the level of TOTL 2a3/300B amps; close with deeper bass but no DHT magic. It’s more convenient and cost less (initially and over the lifetime of the amp). It’s probably the best solid state you can buy - at least I haven’t heard better.

 

[Exekuhtor]

It’s probably the best solid state you can buy - at least I haven’t heard better.

Wow, better than the likes of Zahl HM1 / MK 465? That's a bit hard to believe at this price point...

 

[chesebert]

Wow, better than the likes of Zahl HM1 / MK 465? That's a bit hard to believe at this price point...

Don’t know about HM1 but better than 465 based on my limited experience (probably spent 30-45min on the 465 Emm Labs system). I have Dukai CFA3s not the headamp version as noted in my sig.

 

[jlbrach]

The CFA3 is probably the best amp for the money you can buy…imho

 

[normie610]

The CFA3 is probably the best amp for the money you can buy…imho

+1

 

[lostumpire]

The Niimbus US5 not ticked all the boxes for you?

I guess so...