Questyle CMA600i first impressions thread

[Luis Alberto]

When I came home this evening, I made another trial. Just by turning on the Questyle and the Xdp30r... everything was fine
Same with xdp300r (but didn't work on each restart) and my Android phone.
I even had the surprise to notice that the equalizer was still active (even the parametric equalizer of USB Audio Player Pro on the Xdp300r)
I still don't understand exactly what is working, but the key seems to be restarting the DAP with the cma600i connected...
EDIT : doesn't work all the time... Still a part of mystery...

If you want to get nerdy about this, I would recommend checking the support page for the player you are using and check for any known issues and fixes.

 

[XP_98]

If you want to get nerdy about this, I would recommend checking the support page for the player you are using and check for any known issues and fixes.

I didn't see such a support page on Questyle web site...

 

[esauseesaw]

Quick test during lunch time...

Serial number ends in xxxx683, so it should be the new firmware.

But this time, I could not get any sound, neither from DAP nor from laptop (latest driver from Questyle installed), the latter indicating "USB device not recognised"...?

What can it be ? The cable ?
How can I force the Questyle DAC to communicate with the source ?

I didn't see such a support page on Questyle web site...

I think check on the Pioneer site. Questyle will only be able to test their drivers on standard PC/Mac systems. The way DAPs implement USB connectivity is a little more complicated and down to the way they use the OS and what it is (iOS, Android, Linux, etc). Products with USB 2.0 UAC drivers (like the new Questyle CMA Twelve for example) are more compatible with streamers and DAPs but generally speaking it's not a given your DAP will work seamlessly with all DACs.

 

[betula]

Current mode Class A amplification is quite a thing. You've got all the benefits of a class A amp, while everything is a bit smoother and friendlier. Give this amplification a better DAC and you are up in the top leagues. IMO of course.

 

[stevedlu]

Current mode Class A amplification is quite a thing. You've got all the benefits of a class A amp, while everything is a bit smoother and friendlier. Give this amplification a better DAC and you are up in the top leagues. IMO of course.

OH YES!!! Have a CHord Qutest going into the CMA600i and its TOP SHELF for a LCD-3 or LCD 4.

 

[betula]

OH YES!!! Have a CHord Qutest going into the CMA600i and its TOP SHELF for a LCD-3 or LCD 4.

One day I might get the Qutest but I am not ready to pay the full retail price of £1195. I paid £500 for my 2Qute. I am also happy with my LCD2C which some people actually prefer to the LCD3 or LCD4. Saving a few thousands here as well...
Using iFi iPurifier 3.0 and a silver cable actually brings unexpected levels of clarity to the LCD2C. I am a happy camper for now.

 

[esauseesaw]

Current mode Class A amplification is quite a thing. You've got all the benefits of a class A amp, while everything is a bit smoother and friendlier. Give this amplification a better DAC and you are up in the top leagues. IMO of course.

I had the opportunity to compare straight out of the DAVE to the analogue in of the CMA600i last weekend at a show. Two sets of Utopia where available so it was easy to do quick A-B. To my ears through the CMA600i amp there was better sound stage and a deeper more defined bass. The sound was also some how warmer and musical but without obscuring detail. I certainly preferred it. I found the DAVE headphone out a little brittle by comparison. Great combination using a Chord DAC and the Questyle amp - best of both worlds.

 

[betula]

Has anyone else noticed that a 10-15 mins warm up time does good to the 600i? Sound gets warmer and bass fills up, treble gets smoother vs. a completely cold start up.

 

[Gipss]

Has anyone else noticed that a 10-15 mins warm up time does good to the 600i? Sound gets warmer and bass fills up, treble gets smoother vs. a completely cold start up.

Yes it's the same for me

 

[betula]

Transparent acrylic top for your CMA 600i on a good price. I have just bought one of the two available pieces for £18.
Edit: beware, these have quite a number of scratches.

 

[betula]

 

[DrWhite]

Hi,

İ am planning to buy a CMA Twelve anyone tried this against cma600i? Any difference in sound?

 

[headpfizer]

I bought the other one

Transparent acrylic top for your CMA 600i on a good price. I have just bought one of the two available pieces for £18.
Edit: beware, these have quite a number of scratches.

 

[mikewr]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if a power cable with the text "10A 125V 1250W" would be ok to use with a CMA600i? I know nothing about power cables sorry.

I just got a unit used; It has it's own power cable but wanted to use another one that I was already using for a separate amplifier. I have it going through my cable runs and was curious if I could avoid adding another cable to the mix.

NVM, got it answered by questyle

 

[betula]

I wonder what DACs people use with their 600i. To be frank, the built in DAC is pretty weak in performance.

I have been using the Chord 2Qute for quite a while with great satisfaction but recently tried the iFi Pro iDSD which has a much better resolution, detail and awesome, much superior bass control. Really lifts the 600i to other levels.

Since I do not need 80% of the functionalities of the Pro iDSD and I can't afford to spend £2400 on a DAC I was wondering what upgrade I could find to improve the performance of my 2Qute.

The straightforward option is the Chord Qutest, but I am opened to any other suggestions around £1000.