Mjolnir Audio electrostatic amps

[Chefguru]

I find the Carbon bright in comparison to the other amps I own, I started with the Stax T1S then moved onto the Topping EHA5, then the 717, then the Blue Hawaii. The Blue Hawaii is laid back and so far the CFA seems to have a similar vibe.

Also if the CFA gets hot and its designed too but if it gets really warm the max current is reduced, so I have 2 120mm fans blowing into the vents. Mjolnir said this will make sure it is at max performance. Might get a couple more smaller fans for it too not sure.

Birgir said the CFA needs a fan blowing on it for max current ?

 

[Svperstar]

Birgir said the CFA needs a fan blowing on it for max current ?

I asked if the fans are ok and he said it was a good idea and would "help it work better" or something like that. I could search my email for what he said word for word.

 

[goldwerger]

I find the Carbon bright in comparison to the other amps I own, I started with the Stax T1S then moved onto the Topping EHA5, then the 717, then the Blue Hawaii. The Blue Hawaii is laid back and so far the CFA seems to have a similar vibe.

Also if the CFA gets hot and its designed too but if it gets really warm the max current is reduced, so I have 2 120mm fans blowing into the vents. Mjolnir said this will make sure it is at max performance. Might get a couple more smaller fans for it too not sure.

ok that's helpful to know thanks. I find the Carbon to be more forward and energetic, but not bright. That's highly subjective so will be good to see your comparison understanding your reference. I'm quite curious about the CFA as well!

fans would be a deal brearker for me as I wouldn't want any noise, espeically with very open estat headphones. That said, wouldn't the CFA heat sink be sufficient if you have of space around the amp?

 

[Svperstar]

That said, wouldn't the CFA heat sink be sufficient if you have of space around the amp?

Its designed to run hot but I tend to put fans on amps designed to run hot. I have little $5 fans on my Blue Hawaii and Carbon. I figure it will increase their lifespan if they run cool.

 

[Chefguru]

It’s designed to run hot but I tend to put fans on amps designed to run hot. I have little $5 fans on my Blue Hawaii and Carbon. I figure it will increase their lifespan if they run cool.

What dB notice do they make? Also a dealbreaker for me

 

[Svperstar]

What dB notice do they make? Also a dealbreaker for me

Can't really hear them at the speed I have them set at. I bought fans that come with a speed controller

 

[normie610]

I have my CFA, Carbon, and Blue Hawaii running and I have been playing a song, pausing, and switching between the 3 with the CBRN2.

To my ears the CFA is slightly less bright then the Carbon while maintaining the Carbon bass. Maybe the bass is a tad better controlled too. This isn't science, I am not volume matching them down to .1 db like I should be, just playing by ear.

I read CFA technology is "quicker" the conventional amps at reacting to changes in the signal. Might be a bunch of marketing BS but I could see that.

The CFA is still too "ooo new shiny" for me to be sure.

Interesting to hear. I have CFA3 + Mjolnir SRD-7 driving the CRBN2 at the moment, and did query Birgir on the CFA & he said it’s warmer than Carbon. I’m wondering whether CFA estat compared to CFA3 + SRD-7 would have similar sound. One advantage with CFA is that it has a smaller footprint than other amps, so it’ll be beneficial for someone who has limited space, including me.

Its designed to run hot but I tend to put fans on amps designed to run hot. I have little $5 fans on my Blue Hawaii and Carbon. I figure it will increase their lifespan if they run cool.

I would guess that it’s running at a similar temperature to CFA3, but since my room is fully air conditioned, I never have issues with heat.

 

[Svperstar]

Interesting to hear. I have CFA3 + Mjolnir SRD-7 driving the CRBN2 at the moment, and did query Birgir on the CFA & he said it’s warmer than Carbon. I’m wondering whether CFA estat compared to CFA3 + SRD-7 would have similar sound. One advantage with CFA is that it has a smaller footprint than other amps, so it’ll be beneficial for someone who has limited space, including me.

I would guess that it’s running at a similar temperature to CFA3, but since my room is fully air conditioned, I never have issues with heat.

I also have my audio equipment in an airconditioned room, central air FTW! It is nice the CFA is smaller then the Carbon and certainly smaller then the 2 box Blue Hawaii but I have my BH stacked vertically for space considerations. Wouldn't the heat from the power supply radiate up to the amp? You might ask, that's why I have a little USB fan on the power supply section. Its cool to the touch with that and I think I paid $5 for that fan I don't remember.

 

[Svperstar]

I rearranged my setup a bit. Too many estat amps. I'm set for life lol.

Four fans blowing on the CFA. 2 80mm, 2 120 mm. All sent to the lowest setting. The CFA heatsink fins feel slightly warm to the touch