The CEC HD-53R v8 delivers great audio and is versatile. There are two input and three different output connections in one unit. Conceivably, you could connect four headphones to this unit: one in each quarter-inch and one in each eighth-inch.
C.E.C. allows you to hear every beautiful (and painful) detail of your music. Its connectivity really distinguishes it from other headphone amps. The textbook-sized unit boasts two separate headphone outputs with their own volume control. Each output has two jacks: eighth-inch and quarter-inch. The advantage here is that this eliminates an adaptor. However, it also allows you to plug two headphones into each channel, so the unit can actually nurse four headphones at once.
The third output option is for speakers. Spring-loaded banana clips can also accommodate an unsheathed thick-gage wire. The second volume pot controls the output level. With the +6dB input gain selected, you can get a significant level out of your speakers, considering they are being driven by a headphone amp.
A small toggle switch on the back lets you choose among three input gains: a +6dB boost, -12 cut or the flat signal. This can come in particularly handy if the device sending the audio signal does not have an adjustable output volume. With adjustable input gain, you can bring the signal up to speed or drag it back down to earth so it passes through the headphone circuitry properly. You don’t want to overload the amp nor overwork it with a weak signal.
RCA and XLR inputs are on the back of the unit. The XLRs are a great feature, allowing the user to connect balanced line signals. Balanced signals reduce noise, especially in long cable runs. A push switch on the back selects which input is being used.
The CEC HD53R v8 delivers the full audio spectrum, with incredibly low total harmonic distortion (0.009%). Mixes can breathe freely. This means you can easily hear the production values of your music. You can hear Bob Marley fumble around in the studio after each track. You can hear the compressors gently pumping on the snare tracks, and the reverbs in the far distance. Point is, this headphone amp pulls the protective plastic off the glass, giving you front row seats to the studio.
Compared with the Graham Slee Solo headphone amp, the HD53R proved to be slightly less bright, but it more than compensated for it with its versatility. Stay tuned for a full comparison between the two units.
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The Verdict
