[fiascogarcia]

What i think is the final design..
I filled in the machined lettering with metallic paint and really like how it came out. I can do any color / combination someone wants, at least for now

That looks great, in my opinion!

 

[Astral Abyss]

Looks excellent!

Does the plexi bottom add any extra heat buildup or was that always part of the design?

 

[justin w.]

I like a color in yellow/gold on the panels for example something like this. I really hope this could be possible.

Yes, see the champagne color for the Blue Hawaii SE, GS-X mini and GS-X mk2. We will do it

 

[justin w.]

Looks excellent!

Does the plexi bottom add any extra heat buildup or was that always part of the design?

I haven't checked to see if there is really a difference..possibly the rest of the chassis runs 1-2 degrees warmer without the metal bottom panel.

 

[K3cT]

Is it possible to add switch to bypass the volume pot?

 

[justin w.]

No, but you can turn the stepped attenuator to max volume which is the same thing

 

[justin w.]

Today a lot of boxes of cfa3 packing foam arrived

 

[rwelles]

How many will you be producing in your 1st run?

 

[Astral Abyss]

How many will you be producing in your 1st run?

I'd expect a lot of people that have been waiting as long as I have will go for the deluxe version.

 

[eddie0817]

I will definitely opt for the deluxe version as well. Even though I don't use a remote control, the superior sound quality makes it worthwhile.

 

[Relaxasaurus]

^ trying to collect all the info from Headamp about the differences in deluxe vs standard, and I think these are the two main posts-

At minimum the deluxe edition has the motorized 47 step attenuator w/ remote, Dual mono golden reference voltage regulators, making it semi dual mono & Upgraded main psu caps, could wind up being more

the standard edition has no motor or remote

in this case it just came down to that I felt the most analog option, rotary switched resistors + a motorized version, was the best fit for the cfa3, and I think 48 steps works very well with the right attenuation curve.

Here is a photo that shows the internal differences between the two models, for now called cfa3 Standard and Deluxe Editions. Anyone who has pre-ordered will have the option to go for either version, so if you did pre-order expect an email from us soon about that.
note: these are both late prototypes, and not final builds.

The Deluxe Edition on the left - features 48 step motorized analog stepped attenuator w/ machined remote. Semi dual mono power supplies with a pair of Golden Reference voltage regulators for each channel. More TBD

Standard Edition on right - 48 step analog attenuator w/o remote, stereo Golden Reference voltage regulation.

I also remember some talk about only the deluxe version using JFETs but it seems both versions will be using those across the board-

our CFA3 is being made with JFET input which is a lot more expensive than the standard bipolar and works much better without a pre-amp in front - and the reputation of FETs being that they sound more tube-like compared to bipolar/BJT. We've also been tweaking the gain levels trying to find what works/sounds best. The standard gain settings were pretty low considering the amount of voltage swing available. Not every source is putting out 5 to 12Vrms, so those with <1 to 3Vrms sources will appreciate the higher gain.

 

[XVampireX]

No problem. Living on the Oregon coast, I'm used to LOTS of rain!!

I already have the TT2/M scaler that I feed to my GS-X mini, then my Susvara. It seems to suit my tastes. What can I say, I'm a detail freak.

Hmm... detail We love it.

Might love the Raal Immanis then

 

[justin w.]

How many will you be producing in your 1st run?

A lot, which is partly why it is taking a while. I didn't expect we would get nearly as many pre-orders as have come in, but ultimately a good thing! At this point, we're getting amps built up and ready to go. Not much time for anything else

 

[Alenotta]

Is there a special pre-order price or discount on the first run of the amp? I absolutely loved this amp at CanJam SoCal. Been waiting to see where the price lands.

 

[bunnygal23]

Any insight as to the general tonality of this amp? I remember hearing it with Susvara at Canjam NY and it sounded fantastic, had a bit of warmth and body which I really enjoyed so much so I pre-ordered right after. I didn't make note of the dac during the demo unfortunately so I want to make sure I have a nice complimentary dac pairing.