HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp (Pre-Order Deposit)
HeadAmp’s CFA3 brings electrostatic-like transparency to demanding planar and dynamic headphones, pairing huge headroom with a vast, layered soundstage, taut bass and naturally articulate tone. K. E. Heartsong found its 15W balanced output especially convincing with difficult flagships, delivering immersive scale, refined treble and effortless musical authority.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Delivers exceptional transparency, resolution, separation and dimensional imaging with electrostatic-like realism.
Its 15W/50-ohm balanced output provides substantial headroom and confident control of inefficient flagship headphones.
Combines propulsive, detailed bass with natural tone, articulate vocals and refined, airy treble.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The review describes an unusually transparent, spacious and technically accomplished presentation, combining electrostatic-like openness with considerable musical involvement. It also reports exceptional power and authority with difficult headphones, though it offers no direct assessment of background hiss or hum.
Transparency Resolution
97/100
The reviewer repeatedly praises the CFA3's transparency, resolution and ability to remove veils, with detail retrieval described as electrostatic-like. Imaging is said to have few peers, with clear identification of distant performers and meticulous layering across a large stage.
Tonal Balance Musicality
96/100
Its sound is portrayed as natural, refined and delicate without sacrificing energy or emotional engagement. The review highlights articulate, believable voices, convincing ambience and a presentation that combines technical precision with an easy, immersive musicality.
Dynamics
97/100
The CFA3 is described as having substantial power, headroom and a level of dynamic expression the reviewer considers exceptional. It reportedly delivers potent, propulsive low bass through the Abyss AB1266 Phi TC while retaining delicacy and control when the music calls for it.
Noise Floor
50/100
The review does not directly discuss hiss, hum, background silence or performance with sensitive IEMs. Its listening impressions emphasize clarity and refinement, but they do not establish how quiet the amplifier is with highly efficient headphones.
Headphone Compatibility
96/100
The reviewer reports that the CFA3 easily drives extremely inefficient headphones and cites ample headroom from its high-power balanced output. Successful listening with the Abyss AB1266 Phi TC and another demanding headphone supports its suitability for difficult full-size loads, although sensitive-IEM behavior is not covered.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
The CFA3 uses a CNC-machined anodized-aluminum chassis, passive heat fins, a substantial stepped volume control and extensive front-panel switching. The review describes the physical layout and controls but provides little direct commentary on long-term durability, connector quality or volume-control behavior at very low levels.
Features Usability
88/100
Connectivity is strong for a dedicated desktop amplifier, with two balanced XLR inputs, an RCA input, and 6.3 mm, XLR and 4.4 mm headphone outputs reported. Gain, feedback and input-selection switches, along with the 47-step volume control, add useful setup flexibility, though there is no integrated DAC, remote control or digital connectivity.
Value for Money
95/100
At $3,999 for the Regular Edition and $4,999 for the Special Edition, this is a premium amplifier. However, the reviewer states that no competing headphone amplifier can match it at twice the price or more, presenting it as an unusually compelling performer in its class.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Inputs
- 2x XLR balanced, 1x RCA stereo
- Outputs
- 4-pin XLR + TBD
- Input Devices
- 2NOS Toshiba matched pairs
- Gain
- TBD
- Volume Control
- 47 steps
- Voltage Output
- up to 80Vpp, balanced
- Power Output
- up to 15W/50-ohm balanced
- THD
- 0.001%
- SNR
- TBD
- PSU Type
- Linear, Golden Reference discrete regulation, at least +/-25VDC
- Power Transformer
- Toroidal, 120VA, 100-240VAC input
- Power Consumption
- at least 75W
- Thermal Regulation
- Passive Heatsink
- Chassis
- CNC machined anodized aluminum
- Dimensions
- 12x9x4.5\
- Weight
- 22lb
Manufacturer's Description — HeadAmp
Our re-imagined production of Kevin Gilmore's best solid state balanced headphone amp, the CFA3, is nearly ready for you! We've spent the last 2 years designing our CFA3 from the ground up with all-new surface mount circuit boards that are mixed with the best new old stock transistors famously found in Gilmore's designs. Plus, our innovative, compact chassis design is very desktop friendly.
This is THE headphone amp you will want to drive your HIFIMAN Susvara & Susvara Unveiled, Abyss AB-1266 or Dan Clark Expanse & Stealth to their FULL potential and beyond!
Desktop Friendly - A Giant in Power, Not in Size
Unlike other designs of the CFA3, HeadAmp's version can easily be placed on a desktop due to it's compact size. Our CFA3 is designed to bring as much power as you'll ever need in a conveniently small footprint. Truly take advantage of the HIFIMAN Susvara's sound while working on your latest project or relax while effortlessly powering every detail of Focal's Utopia 2022 against a dead silent noise floor. There's no other dynamic/planar headphone amplifier out there like it!
What's Under the Hood
HeadAmp brings you the best sound by choosing the best components and testing our designs to the strictest standards. We started with the end in mind: the absolute best sound from the hardest to drive headphones. By building our CFA3 from the ground up, HeadAmp was able to focus on getting the full performance out of the best planar and dynamic headphones out there. From its specially-designed heat sink that ensures the most power available, to a custom volume control that allows you to fine-tune your listening experience, no compromises were made on this CFA3.
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Authorized dealers for HeadAmp CFA3 Headphone Amp (Pre-Order Deposit)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- HeadAmp — online and in-store — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (website)
- Moon Audio — online and in-store — Cary, North Carolina, United States (website)
- Soundlux Audio — in-store — Miami, Florida, United States (website)
- The Source AV Design Group — online and in-store — Torrance, California, United States (website)
- Wilbrand Acoustics — in-store — Nordhorn, Niedersachsen, Germany (website)