Delivery time approx. 2 weeks

Concept

Evolution never stands still. Since we never stop researching, neither should a true flagship device.

With an outstanding level of performance and all the ingredients for a new flagship, we present to you our new flagship headphone amplifier with DAC: the Questyle CMA Fifteen.

The CMA Fifteen was developed in honor of the revolutionary Current Mode Amplification technology by Questyle.

Current Mode Amplification 

Current Mode Amplification, referring to a Current Mode Audio Amplifier, is a patented technology by Questyle Audio. It is a state-of-the-art audio amplification technology that fundamentally differs from traditional audio amplifiers.

As the "engine" of the audio system, Current Mode Amplification achieves an extremely high sound quality through its fully discrete and topological structure, so close to the original recording scene that it truly moves the audience. At the same time, users can enjoy a significantly better listening experience than with conventional devices – even with their own headphones or speakers, beyond the original combination.

• THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise): 0,0003 %

• Current mode amplifier: 4 groups

• Ultra-low distortion * Balanced headphone output: 4.4 mm

• Premium components: Nichicon FW capacitors, WIMA capacitors, DALE military resistors

When Current Mode Amplification meets a Current Mode DAC

After 3 years of preliminary research together with ESS, Questyle selected the flagship DAC ES9038Pro – a decoding chip with the most powerful performance on this planet. Together with ESS, the CMA Fifteen was launched, supporting master tape formats 32-Bit/768k and DSD512.

• Supported Formats: PCM768 | DSD512 | 32-Bit

• ESS Technology / SABRE PRO HiFi As is well known, most high-end DAC chips from renowned manufacturers worldwide choose a current-driven output (Current-Type Output), combined with an IV converter and a traditional classic amplifier architecture to achieve extreme performance.

Our Approach: We take a different path. We use the ES9038Pro current-mode DAC and let four current-mode amplifiers work together in fully balanced mode to achieve the absolutely lossless purity ("All-Link Lossless") we expect.

CMA Fifteen supports full MQA decoding.

(Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The MQA master file is fully authenticated and small enough to stream or download easily.

The CMA Fifteen features MQA technology, allowing you to play MQA audio files and streams to enjoy the sound of the original master recording.

• LED Display Status: * Green or Blue: Indicates that the device is decoding and playing an MQA stream or MQA file. It guarantees the source to ensure the sound is identical to the original material.

  • Blue: Indicates that an MQA Studio file is being played, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or verified by the copyright holder.

• Co-inventor note: mqa.co.uk – Bob Stuart, co-founder of Meridian and inventor of MQA technology.

CMA Fifteen supports LDAC Bluetooth

As a global member of Sony, we have equipped the CMA Fifteen with LDAC Bluetooth. LDAC™ is a new audio technology from Sony that allows you to enjoy high-quality audio wirelessly over Bluetooth. With three times the amount of transmitted data, LDAC offers an enhanced wireless listening experience for all your music.

Bring Apple Music Lossless to your high-end audio system The CMA Fifteen supports Apple Music Lossless. In addition to the classic USB Type-B interface, a USB Type-C interface has been added to avoid cable conversion losses. Without memory load, you can finally start the new experience of high-resolution, lossless online audio – anytime, anywhere.

⚠️ Priority note: The USB Type-C port has priority. If USB Type-C and Type-B are connected simultaneously, the system will default to processing the Type-C audio source.

• Device rear / connections: * Designed by Questyle, Made in China

  • Digital inputs: OPT INPUT (Optical), S/PDIF INPUT (Coaxial), USB INPUT (Type-B / Type-C)

  • Analog inputs: ANALOG INPUT (RCA LCH/RCH)

  • Stereo outputs: STEREO OUTPUT (RCA and balanced XLR LCH/RCH)

CMA Fifteen as a preamplifier (preamp) for your turntable

The CMA Fifteen offers an analog interface. When you connect the CMA Fifteen as a preamplifier to your turntable, you can enjoy the best possible sound quality. Tired of digital music? Transport yourself back to the golden age of vinyl records.

• Connect speakers to create a concert hall at your desk.

Continuity and Heritage

Questyle believes that a great product starts with the details. The CMA Fifteen continues the classic design concept and perfect production technology, further enhancing the details.

• Resonance Minimization: Resonance is a detail that is easily overlooked. Mechanical vibrations affect audio signal processing and the resulting sound. To avoid resonance, the CMA Fifteen’s chassis is made from 10 mm thick aircraft-grade aluminum 6063, using high-precision machining techniques with ±0.02 mm.

• Thoughtful Layout: The CMA Fifteen even considers layout balance before and after connecting cables to ensure inherent resonance is minimized.

• Protection Function: The device has a complete output protection function. If the device detects a fault or other anomalies, it automatically shuts off the output to protect your headphones and stereo system.

Technical Specifications

Input and Output Parameters

• Digital Input: USB x 2 (Including a high-priority USB Type-C interface and a USB Type-B interface).

  • PCM: 44.1 kHz – 768 kHz / 32-Bit

  • DSD: Native DSD512; DoP DSD256

  • MQA: Full / Core Decoder

  • System Compatibility: The USB input supports UAC 2.0. Supports Windows XP, Vista, Win7, Win8, Win10, Linux, MAC OS, and other operating systems. Can also connect to smartphones that support OTG audio output.

  • Driver Note: Windows systems before Win10 must install the ASIO driver developed by Questyle. Win10 supports DoP DSD256 without driver installation and Native DSD512 with the driver installed.

• Optical Input (Optical) x 1: PCM: 44.1 kHz ~ 192 kHz / 24-Bit

• Coaxial Input (Coaxial) x 1: PCM: 44.1 kHz ~ 192 kHz / 24-Bit

• Bluetooth Input x 1: SBC, AAC, LDAC (at highest level of 96 kHz / 24-Bit, 990 kbps / 909 kbps)

• Analog Input: RCA x 1, 2Vrms standard level

• Headphone Amplifier Output Interfaces: * 1x 6.35 mm standard headphone jack

  • 1x 4-PIN balanced headphone jack

  • 1x 4.4 mm balanced headphone jack

  • Note: You can set the Bias mode (High/Standard) via the BIAS switch on the front. Gain (Standard/Low Gain) can be adjusted via the four Gain switches on the bottom of the device.

• Pre-Amplifier Output Interface (Pre-Amp): XLR x 1 ; RCA x 1

  • Note: The output level can be adjusted via the Standard/Studio switch. Volume control is done via the ADJ/FIX switch on the back.
    
    

Headphone Amplifier Output Specifications

• Maximum Output Power: 6.35mm: 188mW @ 300Ω 1.5W @ 32Ω / 4.4mm balanced / XLR 4-PIN balanced: 765mW @ 300Ω 2W @ 32Ω

• THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise): <0.0003% @300Ω ； <0.001%@32Ω 

• 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 Output Specifications

• Maximum Analog Output Amplitude: * RCA: 2 V (Standard), Studio mode output up to 14 dBu

  • XLR: 4 V (Standard), Studio mode output up to 20 dBu

• THD+N: RCA: 0.0004% ; XLR: 0.0003%

• Frequency Response: ±0.2dB (DC-22kHz)@48kHz/24Bit

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): RCA: >116dB ; XLR: >119dB