Simaudio MOON Neo 230HAD

Just saw this post over on Cnet http://www.cnet.com/news/moon-neo-230had-a-stereo-preamp-digital-converter-and-headphone/ and thought it was interesting especially considering the price which is $1,500.

Here is the official website with specs http://www.simaudio.com/en/product/101-headphone-amplifier-dsd-dac.html Power output is quite low.

Any thoughts?

 

I'm interesting in hearing it, for sure. But this section of the review makes me a bit terrified:

With the Audeze LCD-2 headphones the HA-1 sounded warmer and more laid-back than the 230HAD, which I felt was more see-through transparent, and presented more precisely focused stereo imaging. I'm big on clarity, so I preferred the 230HAD, but if you crave a richer tonal balance the HA-1 might be a better way to go.​

The HA-1...warm and tonally rich? A sphincter says what?

 

Hahaha yeah I was also really taken aback when he said that. Doesn't the HA-1 use a sabre dac?

 

meh he said warmer compared to something else. i've seen same thing here. "did you just call x warm?" "yeah in comparison to x it is warmer" "oh, okay"

 

The 230 HAD is even colder sounding than the HA-1, yikes... that's kind of scary. I did try out the 230 HAD at a local store before but I only got to use it with the HE-X and HE-K, both headphones that i wasn't very familiar with.

 

Well if the HA-1 is cold and sterile and the 230HAD makes it sound warm in comparison, then that might be kind of a troubling issue Perot. It would be make headphone pairing extremely difficult. I think you can use an external dac with just the amp section but at $1500, I wouldn't want to spend anymore money on a separate dac when i'm paying for a combo unit. Here's hoping the amp section isn't shit.

 

Opps, I meant I tried it with the 230 HAD in-stores. I've tried the HA-1 at a friend's house before with the hd800s.

 

I have demoed the 230 HAD several times with my own cans at the same local store that thegunner100 was referring to. I like it quite a bit and it is a purchase I have considered/am considering. I don't think it is cold and sterile at all. In fact, ESS Sabre DAC notwithstanding I tend to think it is kind of warm and laid back but In a good way. In fairness to Guttenberg, he had both units on hand to directly compare and contrast. But my recollection is that the Oppo unit is a bit cold and sterile and the main reason why I did not purchase that otherwise feature-rich unit. But the Moon was not at all like that to me. And it played nice with all of my cans, which is a plus (those cans being PM-2, Senn HD 600 and AKG K7xx).

I tend to think the Moon is not bad at anything but may be a master of none. Still, a well built, versatile amp that looks good and comes with a remote is appealing to me even if it is not the last word on anything in particular. The main reason I did not buy it is more a reflection on me than the amp itself. Sadly, I just don't have enough confidence in my own ears and in the absence of many reviews (at least ones that I trust) I am afraid of overpaying for a combo unit where the same dollars applied to separates (and, of course, putting together the right combination is the trick) might very well get better performance. That said, I have struggled to find such a combo that will work for all my cans and as I said I have enjoyed to 230 HAD with all of my own cans. And I have listened to a few Audezes with the Moon and thinks it drives those nicely as well. Would like to hear how they sound with the HD 800. If it could pull off those while still being good with the aforementioned planers that would be a pretty decent trick.

If I do end up purchasing one I will be sure to report back.

 

I totally agree about not wanting to spend that much money on a combo unit when there is a chance that buying components separately will give a better value. Tyll loves the 430HAD so I would at least hope the little brother of that unit performs well since it's being made with the MOON name on it.

 

my experience with otherMoon products has been positive and like I said, I think the 230 HAD is a solid product. Not sure idi is most bang for buck for the educated buyer looking at components but for me at least it ticks a lot of boxes and is potentially a pretty good plug and play solution for all my headphone needs. But I strongly suspect I could better optimize the potential of my HD 600 with that same budget applied specifically trying to get those cans to scale as much as possible for such sum (understanding that one would need to spend much more to fully tap their potential).

 

I'm thinking I may pick this up. It seems to tick all my boxes, plus it's actually available in NZ so I don't have to deal with customs. I just wish there were more reviews!

 

Was it really THAT boring? Makes me wonder why Tyll loves it so much besides it being a reference amp for analyzing.

 

More than enough powa running HD800 and Sonarworks at -12dB gain. There's still third of the pot left (or half with hot records), so "normal" users would be more than fine.

 

I cannot comment on the HD 800 but with each of PM-2 and Senn HD 600 (and AKG K7xx for that matter) I never got much past 9 o'clock. With the LCD-3 maybe a little further to the right but not much.

 

Thanks for elaborating. I've always been very interested in that amp ever since Tyll first introduced in on innerfidelity. The price is quite a high and would take me years to save up for but it's dead neutral and transparent nature would make it quite appealing to me. That said, now that you've given your opinion on it's characteristics as being boring with not much low end slam as it's competitors, I have more knowledge of the sound I would be paying for.

Just relying on 1 persons opinion/impression isn't a very reliable nor smart thing to do when you are looking to drop SERIOUS money on an end game set up for audio haha. Had no plans of saving up for end game at the moment but now I can look at other pieces of equipment for the future. Thank you again for your honest opinion Hands. I appreciate it man.

Btw, was the 430HAD using the on-board dac or was it using a separate dac?