[vladzakhar]

I guess it's a design flow. Hope it won't brake over time.

 

[BlankName]

Does anyone know what the hold switch does?

 

[vladzakhar]

You can’t press any buttons when it’s on

 

[CMA Fifteen]

My CMA18P has arrived.
Contrary to my expectations, the unit is small and lightweight, fitting easily into my pants pocket.
I think it will be very handy for listening to music via Bluetooth outdoors.
As expected of a current-mode amplifier, it drives the Prestige LTD with ease and the sound quality is very impressive.
My first impressions are very pleasing.
I'll compare it to my XD05 BAL2 later.

 

[noplsestar]

Dear audiophiles, this is my humble take on the Questyle CMA18P:

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/questyle-cma18-portable-cma18p.27062/reviews#review-33381

Have fun reading the review (with comparisons between other DACs like the Quloos MUB1 as well as the Calyx K).

What can I say ... I just love that incredible device (with my Austrian Audio "The Composer" headphones)

 

[Premetec]

Waiting for battle Mojo2 vs CMA18p

 

[walker.777]

The CMA18 Portable is impressive.. It's not in the rarified air of a Hugo 2 but, it's close enough that I haven't used the Hugo 2 much since the CMA18 Portable landed.

I've had my CMA18 Portable for about 2 weeks now. I've tried it with the Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor, MEST MKII, Empire Ears Legend Evo, Fir Audio Xenon 6, 64 Audio U12t, FAudio Mezzo LE, Sony IER-Z1R, Meze Liric, and Sony MDR-Z1R.

I still have a few more IEMs to listen to... Thus far, I think it is a remarkable device.. I don't feel so bad that I missed out on the Questyle QPM now. The CMA18 Portable definitely caters to musical enjoyment and detail retrieval.

Could you please share some notes about how does CMA18 stack up against Cayin RU6 and Mojo in terms of sound quality???

 

[vladzakhar]

I tested the CMA18's battery in balanced mode with medium volume level on low gain. 5 hours from full to zero. Far away from advertised 10 hours.
Maybe 10 hours is for single ended mode, but can't be half of it for balanced. Is my battery bad? Does other owners have the same results? 5 hours to play and 3.5 hours to charge is very disappointing. It means, in year and a half it might go down to 2-3 hours.
Love the sound, by the way.

 

[Questyle]

My understanding is that it was only the first batch sold in China that couldn't charge and play at the same time. I think with subsequent batches here - and the ones shipped overseas - they had updated the firmware to enable charge and play. Maybe @Questyle can confirm.

@someyoungguy @gto88 That's correct, only the first small batch of CMA18Ps that were released only in China did not have the charge & play function. Starting with the second batch, which began shipping internationally, this was resolved.

@OneEyedHito Unfortunately no, those lights cannot be switched off during operation.

can the battery be bypassed, when connected to a laptop via usb? I fear the battery will die within 2-3 years, when used on a daily basis. Will it be replaceable by someone who is able to do this on a smartphone?

@sofastreamer No, the battery cannot be bypassed in this model, unfortunately.

 

[Ichos]

CMA18, love the design!

What do I think about the sound performance? Well, just a little patience please!

 

[sofastreamer]

@someyoungguy @gto88 That's correct, only the first small batch of CMA18Ps that were released only in China did not have the charge & play function. Starting with the second batch, which began shipping internationally, this was resolved.

@OneEyedHito Unfortunately no, those lights cannot be switched off during operation.


@sofastreamer No, the battery cannot be bypassed in this model, unfortunately.

thank you for your reply and honest communication! much appreciated!

 

[Questyle]

You're very welcome, we'll try to do better about responding even more promptly in the future.

 

[davidmolliere]

CMA18, love the design!
What do I think about the sound performance? Well, just a little patience please!

Just as great as the design
This device is blowing my mind every time

Best purchase in 2024 for sure and I don't expect anything to top the value for money!

 

[gLer]

Can someone please try using the CMA-18P as a portable amp with balanced line-in from a TOTL DAP, and let us know if it improves on the DAP's amp stage?

 

[Tex Irie]

Just as great as the design
This device is blowing my mind every time

Best purchase in 2024 for sure and I don't expect anything to top the value for money!

Same here... Literally, every IEM and Headphone I've plugged into the CMA18 Portable just gravitationally pulls me in to the music. Loving mine very much.

Can someone please try using the CMA-18P as a portable amp with balanced line-in from a TOTL DAP, and let us know if it improves on the DAP's amp stage?

@gLer, I will have to order a balanced aux cable but I will definitely test this out with my Sony NW-WM1ZM2. That sounds like an interesting use case and experiment.