The Kinera Celest CD-2 is a budget-friendly portable headphone amplifier and DAC that defies expectations. Priced at just $25, this compact device boasts impressive internal specifications including a balanced Conexant CX31993 DAC and Maxim MAX97220 output stage, supporting up to 52-bit/384kHz audio. Its all-metal construction ensures durability, while its dual output (3.5mm and 4.4mm) caters to a variety of headphone types. But the real surprise lies in its sonic performance.This review delves into the CD-2's sound signature, build quality, and overall value proposition. We'll explore its detailed and clean sound, impressive detail retrieval, and the trade-off between its analytical neutrality and potentially dry presentation. Discover whether this inexpensive amplifier truly punches above its weight, delivering an audio experience that rivals much more expensive options, and if its minor drawbacks are overshadowed by its significant strengths.
Pros And Cons
- All-metal build
- Very small size
- Available in army green and gunmetal gray
- Features both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced audio jacks
- Good sound quality for the price, including fast and clean bass, detailed and clean mid-range, and clear and extended treble
- High detail reproduction, particularly in the mid-range and treble
- Scales well with higher-quality headphones
- 145dB signal-to-noise ratio
- 111dB dynamic range
- -95dB total harmonic distortion
- Only one output jack can be used at a time (3.5mm or 4.4mm)
- Mid-range described as 'flat, a little bit dry, and a little bit more analytical than warm'
- Scene imaging is flat and wider than deep
- Prefers good quality uncompressed audio; compression artifacts noticeable in lower-quality MP3s
- Plugging directly into a phone's USB port may be risky due to potential leverage on the port.
Read more: Fiio K11 R2R DAC/Amp Review: A Worthy Upgrade or Redundant Luxury?
Specifications and Internal Components
The Kinera Celest CD-2 is a surprisingly well-equipped portable headphone amplifier and DAC for its price point. Internally, it boasts a Conexant CX31993 digital-to-analog converter working in balanced mode, paired with a Maxim MAX97220 analog output stage. This balanced configuration is key to its superior performance, minimizing electromagnetic interference often encountered with typical single-ended designs. The specifications are impressive: it supports up to 52-bit audio with a 24/384kHz sampling rate and claims a signal-to-noise ratio of 145dB and a dynamic range of 111dB, exceeding expectations for a budget-friendly device.
Furthermore, the CD-2 delivers a respectable power output of 140mW at 16 ohms and 60mW at 52 ohms. Its frequency response extends from 20Hz to 40kHz, suggesting a flat and detailed sound signature across the entire audible range. The surprisingly low cross-talk of -25dB at 1kHz further underlines the quality of the internal components and design.
Build Quality and Design
The CD-2 features an all-metal construction, making it durable and well-built for its price. Its incredibly compact size makes it highly portable, easily fitting into a pocket or bag. Available in army green and gunmetal gray, the device maintains a sleek and professional aesthetic. The device offers both single-ended (3.5mm) and balanced (4.4mm) outputs; however, only one can be used at a time, unlike some more advanced designs that support multiple simultaneous outputs.
While the reviewer was unable to open the device to fully examine the internal components without risking damage, the external build quality appears robust and well-engineered. The dual output options cater to both traditional and balanced headphone setups, further demonstrating thoughtful consideration of design choices given the low price point.
Sound Quality Analysis
The reviewer was impressed by the CD-2's surprisingly detailed and clean sound signature. The bass response is described as fast and precise, not overly emphasized but well-defined. The mid-range is detailed and clear but leans slightly towards a neutral to analytical presentation rather than a warm or colored tone. This results in excellent clarity and resolution, revealing fine details in the music, especially in the higher frequencies, though this lack of warmth might not appeal to all listeners.
The treble is described as clear, extended, and sparkling without being harsh or fatiguing. The reviewer highlights a “black background,” suggesting excellent noise floor and low distortion, making even subtle sounds easy to discern. The soundstage is described as more wide than deep, typical of many smaller Class D amplifiers. Despite its limitations, the stereo imaging and separation are effective, creating a pleasant listening experience.
Detail Retrieval and Scalability
One of the CD-2's strengths is its impressive detail retrieval. The reviewer notes that using higher-quality headphones reveals even more subtle nuances in the recordings. This indicates good scalability, meaning the amplifier benefits from better headphones and can unlock their full potential. The CD-2 excels at presenting fine details in the midrange and treble, revealing subtleties that might be lost with less capable devices.
However, it is important to note the CD-2's preference for high-quality, uncompressed audio. Compressed formats like MP3 will reveal audible artifacts due to the amplifier's ability to present such fine details. This characteristic reflects the amplifier's transparency and resolution.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Kinera Celest CD-2 is an exceptional value for its $25 price. It significantly improves upon the sound quality of a standard 3.5mm headphone output and outperforms other budget DACs. The build quality is solid, the sound is clean and detailed, and the device easily integrates with various devices. While the sound is slightly dry and analytical, this is a characteristic many will appreciate for its clarity and precision.
Its best pairing would be with warm-sounding headphones, though its neutral presentation works well with other neutral sets as well. The reviewer's only minor concern is the potential for damage to USB ports when inserting the device. Overall, the Kinera Celest CD-2 is a strongly recommended upgrade for budget-conscious audiophiles seeking a significant improvement in headphone sound quality.
