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Moon Nēo 430HA Reference Headphone Amplifier
Dec 5, 2016 at 12:41 PM Post #1,366 of 1,920
i also ask because i am getting some crackle in my sound, regardless of headphones.  it happens when i adjust the Moon Neo volume up or down, but also occasionally when just listening steady.  was wondering if i have dirty power coming in from the wall.  (my Moon is plugged straight into the wall)
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 12:49 PM Post #1,367 of 1,920
talkingmuffin said:
  i also ask because i am getting some crackle in my sound, regardless of headphones.  it happens when i adjust the Moon Neo volume up or down, but also occasionally when just listening steady.  was wondering if i have dirty power coming in from the wall.  (my Moon is plugged straight into the wall)
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That doesn't sound like power to me. More like a defective volume control. 
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 5:43 PM Post #1,369 of 1,920
sonic guild said:
   
This does not happen all the time (rarely). Believe it or not, it only happens with specific songs/albums!
  
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yes.  after more "research" today, it does indeed seem to happen with some songs and not others.  all going thru Tidal, mind you, so explain that.  i'm at a loss.  don't think it's a Moon Neo issue, however.  i will say that a lot of music producers purposely add a crackle effect to make the album seem retro or something.  not very audible on regular speakers but very much so on crazy ass headphones like an LCD-4.  for instance.... in Tidal, go to the new album by A Tribe Called Quest (Thank You For Your Service).  go to track 7 called "Melatonin".  go to 2:45 - 3:15, the chorus.  i'm getting a very slight but noticeable static interference sounding thingy there.  it happens the whole song but it's particularly noticeable there.  is that Q-Tip being silly on Pro Tools?  or is that a problem with my equipment?  anyone else hear it?  Moon on high gain at 65 volume.
 
 
also - Sonic Guild - you said you had a $50 surge protector strip.... just so you know, that won't do crap if there's a serious lightning strike or something like that.  those things are crap.  once again, you get what you pay for.  
 
i have Panamax units for my home stereo/TV setups.  i'm thinking about doing the same for my headphone station which is now home to $13k worth of equipment.  the model in particular i'm looking at is this one, with their highest level of power conditioning/cleaning:
 
http://www.panamax.com/Products/A-V-Components/M5300-PM.php#tab_features
 
it's $500-something on Crutchfield (retail) but it's on Amazon for like $376.  
 
the Bryston IT 15 is a little more audiophile oriented, but a LOT more expensive at like $1700.  
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 6:19 PM Post #1,370 of 1,920
talkingmuffin said:
   
 
yes.  after more "research" today, it does indeed seem to happen with some songs and not others.  all going thru Tidal, mind you, so explain that.  i'm at a loss.  don't think it's a Moon Neo issue, however.  i will say that a lot of music producers purposely add a crackle effect to make the album seem retro or something.  not very audible on regular speakers but very much so on crazy ass headphones like an LCD-4.  for instance.... in Tidal, go to the new album by A Tribe Called Quest (Thank You For Your Service).  go to track 7 called "Melatonin".  go to 2:45 - 3:15, the chorus.  i'm getting a very slight but noticeable static interference sounding thingy there.  it happens the whole song but it's particularly noticeable there.  is that Q-Tip being silly on Pro Tools?  or is that a problem with my equipment?  anyone else hear it?  Moon on high gain at 65 volume.
 
 
also - Sonic Guild - you said you had a $50 surge protector strip.... just so you know, that won't do crap if there's a serious lightning strike or something like that.  those things are crap.  once again, you get what you pay for.  
 
i have Panamax units for my home stereo/TV setups.  i'm thinking about doing the same for my headphone station which is now home to $13k worth of equipment.  the model in particular i'm looking at is this one, with their highest level of power conditioning/cleaning:
 
http://www.panamax.com/Products/A-V-Components/M5300-PM.php#tab_features
 
it's $500-something on Crutchfield (retail) but it's on Amazon for like $376.  
 
the Bryston IT 15 is a little more audiophile oriented, but a LOT more expensive at like $1700.  
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The music that produce static noise has nothing to do with retro style, I am talking about new trance music 
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On my surge's packaging, It says that they cover up 100000 dollars of damaged items! 
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What is exactly the difference between the surge and conditioner? 
At this stage I just care about the sonic improvements. So, do you find the conditioner a useful tool to improve sonics? 
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 7:23 PM Post #1,371 of 1,920
sonic guild said:
   
What is exactly the difference between the surge and conditioner? 
At this stage I just care about the sonic improvements. So, do you find the conditioner a useful tool to improve sonics? 
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surge protectors protect your equipment from catastrophic loads of electricity going to your equipment.  this is fairly cut and dry.
 
power conditioners help send a steady flow of amperage to your equipment.  so for a 120v amplifier, it will ensure that a steady, uninterrupted stream of exactly 120 volts go thru it.  one of my panamax units show the variance and you'd be surprised how much a regular power outlet varies from 118-122.  there's a bit of a mixed jury on how damaging this is to electronics.  but if you can get a surge protector that also power conditions, it seems like a winning combination.  
 
that $100k guarantee you referenced is more of a sales tool than a dependable measurement of its abilities.  good luck getting a penny out of them if anything happens.  good power surge protectors have fail-switches that disconnect everything in that case of an overload.  that said, if lightning strikes close enough that a literal bolt of energy is going thru your house, nothing can protect against that.  
 
i did some search-reading on head-fi about power conditioning and (surprise) there's a lot of conflicting views.  some say it's all BS.  others support it.  one guy says that traditional power conditioners like the Panamax actually worsened the sound quality, while that Bryston model i mentioned improved it.  but he probably works for Bryston.  haha.
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 7:51 PM Post #1,372 of 1,920
talkingmuffin said:
   
 
surge protectors protect your equipment from catastrophic loads of electricity going to your equipment.  this is fairly cut and dry.
 
power conditioners help send a steady flow of amperage to your equipment.  so for a 120v amplifier, it will ensure that a steady, uninterrupted stream of exactly 120 volts go thru it.  one of my panamax units show the variance and you'd be surprised how much a regular power outlet varies from 118-122.  there's a bit of a mixed jury on how damaging this is to electronics.  but if you can get a surge protector that also power conditions, it seems like a winning combination.  
 
that $100k guarantee you referenced is more of a sales tool than a dependable measurement of its abilities.  good luck getting a penny out of them if anything happens.  good power surge protectors have fail-switches that disconnect everything in that case of an overload.  that said, if lightning strikes close enough that a literal bolt of energy is going thru your house, nothing can protect against that.  
 
i did some search-reading on head-fi about power conditioning and (surprise) there's a lot of conflicting views.  some say it's all BS.  others support it.  one guy says that traditional power conditioners like the Panamax actually worsened the sound quality (i HIGHLY doubt this), while that Bryston model i mentioned improved it.  but he probably works for Bryston.  haha.
 
i'm getting the Panamax M5300.  primarily to protect my $4300 investment (the Moon Neo) with $376 of Panamax protection.  the power conditioning will just be an added bonus.  
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What about the 2 huge blue power tanks inside the Moon? Don't they clean and power? see pic

 
Regarding surge issues, nothing to worry about in my city.
 
I am only interested in sonic improvements, I was planning to get Dana power clarifier cable. But the M5400-PM might be better investment, thoughts?
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:13 PM Post #1,373 of 1,920
sonic guild said:
 
What about the 2 huge blue power tanks inside the Moon? Don't they clean and power? see pic

 
Regarding surge issues, nothing to worry about in my city.
 
I am only interested in sonic improvements, I was planning to get Dana power clarifier cable. But the M5400-PM might be better investment, thoughts?
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You just want something without MOV's (look up what they are, they can affect sound negatively). I have what @Jude has, a Brickwall audio unit. Sounds great, not super expensive: http://www.brickwall.com/collections/surge-protectors-home-theater-hdtv/products/eight-outlet-audio-surge-protector
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:28 PM Post #1,374 of 1,920
mediahound said:
   
You just want something without MOV's (look up what they are, they can affect sound negatively). I have what @Jude has, a Brickwall audio unit. Sounds great, not super expensive: http://www.brickwall.com/collections/surge-protectors-home-theater-hdtv/products/eight-outlet-audio-surge-protector
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But this is just surge protector, right? no conditioner? 
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:31 PM Post #1,375 of 1,920
sonic guild said:
 
But this is just surge protector, right? no conditioner? 
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It conditions:
 
 
EMI/RFI Filter Response (bi-directional, wave tracking): With 50 ohm Rg load: 3db at 5kHz; 26dB at 100kHz; 38dB at 300kHz.
 
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:32 PM Post #1,376 of 1,920
mediahound said:
   
You just want something without MOV's (look up what they are, they can affect sound negatively). I have what @Jude has, a Brickwall audio unit. Sounds great, not super expensive: http://www.brickwall.com/collections/surge-protectors-home-theater-hdtv/products/eight-outlet-audio-surge-protector
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this is exactly the feedback i was looking for.  very compelling option.  thank you Mediahound!
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 9:20 PM Post #1,378 of 1,920
talkingmuffin said:
  Does the Moon Neo have any kind of power conditioning ability in it?  
 
or should i look into getting a power conditioner and surge protector like a Panamax or a Bryston BIT 15?
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I have used power conditioner for my entire HIFI setup (Shunyata hydra 8) and it made a big difference to the overall sound. So much that you can't live without it in the system because you know what your system is actually capable of.
I would imagine the Simaudio 430 would benefit from cleaner power, but it can be costly especially for a single component.
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 9:57 PM Post #1,379 of 1,920
kank said:
   
I have used power conditioner for my entire HIFI setup (Shunyata hydra 8) and it made a big difference to the overall sound. So much that you can't live without it in the system because you know what your system is actually capable of.
I would imagine the Simaudio 430 would benefit from cleaner power, but it can be costly especially for a single component.
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Which conditioner u r using?
 
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