Crafting For Pursuit

Since the debut of the first CMA800 in 2012, each flagship in Questyle's series has shared the same soul: Current Mode Amplification Technology. The CMA Fifteen, released in 2020, featured the flagship ESS Current mode DAC for the first time. Coupled with Current Mode Amplification, it established the CMA series as a new era of full current processing, essentially "lossless throughout the entire chain."

The CMA Fifteen was almost perfect 3 years ago, but Questyle sought to improve it. Over the past 3 years, they have continually refined, explored and sought superior designs giving you their latest flagship: the CMA Eighteen Master.

Questyle CMA Eighteen Master DAC/Amp Overview

Current Mode Amplification

Current Mode Amplification, referring to a Current Mode Audio Amplifier, is a patented technology of Questyle Audio. It is a state-of-the-art technology of audio amplification different from the traditional audio amplifier. As the "engine" of audio system, Current Mode Amplification, featuring a fully discrete and topological structure, achieves ultra-high sound performance close to recording scene that makes the audience truly moved. Meanwhile, based on Current Mode Amplification technology, users can get a much better listening experience than common devices, even with their own headphones or speakers rather than the original collocation.
To dissipate the substantial heat generated by processing ultra-high-definition lossless audio data with the ES9039PRO, we decided to upgrade the PCB to Rogers material. This material, originally designed for military equipment, missiles, and specialized instruments, is approximately 20 times the cost of ordinary materials.

Questyle CMA Eighteen Master DAC/Amp Current Mode Amplification

Synchronized Performance Enhancement

The performance of the headphone amplifier and independent pre-amplifier is enhanced simultaneously. The latest optimized Current Mode Amplifier, combined with a Rogers board with a dielectric constant only 1/10th of regular PCBs, shows a 30% improvement of performance in distortion test in the laboratory compared to the previous generation. There is also a noticeable improvement in the dynamic range and background tranquility, focusing on the subjective listening experience.

The dielectric constant vs regular PCB: 1/10
Distortion performance improved by: 30%

The headphone amplifier features a fully balanced architecture, along with APLS quad analog potentiometers, and peak current output capability of up to 3A, allowing the CMA Eighteen Master's headphone amplifier to unleash the full potential of all high-end headphones.
The CMA Eighteen Master's digital power and Amp/DAC power are entirely independent, ensuring the purest signal processing. An independent NORATEL toroidal transformer and Schottky rectifier provide the cleanest power to the analog side of the DAC.

Questyle CMA Eighteen Master DAC/Amp Synchronized Enhancement

The New Flagship: CMA Eighteen Master

The CMA Eighteen Master upgrades to the XMOS X316 USB platform, supporting D/A converting up to PCM768/DSD512. It also supports both USB-B and USB-C interfaces, avoiding audio quality degradation and unstable high-definition data transfer arise with the need for conversion adapters associated with the recent shift to USB-C ports on PCs.

Exceptional D/A converting capabilities
PCM768 | 32Bit
Latest XMOS USB platform
XU316
The CMA Eighteen Master's bluetooth mode has been upgraded to support both aptX HD and LDAC, ensuring optimal wireless sound quality with a stable wireless connection.

SPECIFICATIONS

Input/Output Interface Specifications
- Digital Input:
USB Including a high-priority USB Type-C interface and a USB Type-B interface.
PCM: 44.1kHz-768kHz/32Bit
Native DSD: DSD64,DSD128,DSD256, DSD512;
DOP DSD: DSD64,DSD128,DSD256;
USB input supports UAC 2.0.
Supports Win XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS and iOS
Note: Windows system under Win10 will need to install the ASIO driver developed by Questyle. Win10 system supports DOP DSD 256 without installing the driver, and supports Native DSD 512 with the driver installed.
Optical Input: Supports PCM: 44.1kHz-192kHz/24bit
Coaxial Input: Supports PCM: 44.1kHz-192kHz/24bit
Bluetooth Input: Supports SBC, AAC, aptX, aptx-HD, LDAC(up to 96kHz/24Bit, 990kps/909kps)
- Analog Input RCA: Standard level 2Vrms
- Headphone Amplifier Output Interface:
4.4mm balanced headphone jack/4-PIN balanced headphone jack/6.35mm standard headphone jack
Note: You can set High/Standard bias through the BIAS switch on the front panel of the headphone amplifier, and set Standard/Low gain through the four Gain switches on the bottom of the headphone amplifier.
- Pre-Amp Output Interface: XLR X 1, RCA x 1 (Note: The output level can be set by Standard/Studio switch

Headphone Amplifier Technical Specifications
-Max Output Power (PO):
6.35mm: 188mW@3000; 1.5W@320
4.4mm balanced / XLR 4-PIN balanced: 765mW@3000; 2W@320 -THD+N:
<0.0003%
- Frequency Response: +0.2dB (DC-22kHz)@48kHz/24Bit
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):
6.35mm: >117dB;
4.4mm Balanced/ XLR 4-pin Balanced: >120dB
Pre-amplifier Technical Specifications
- Maximum Analog Output Level:
RCA: 2V (STANDARD), Studio mode output increased to 14dBu XLR: 4V (STANDARD), Studio mode output increased to 20dBu - THD+N: <0.0003%
- Frequency Response: ±0.2dB (DC-22kHz)@48kHz/24Bit