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Moon Nēo 430HA Reference Headphone Amplifier
Jul 3, 2015 at 2:17 PM Post #556 of 1,920
Jul 11, 2015 at 4:19 PM Post #557 of 1,920
I'm very interested in theNeo 430HA. I would be interested if a Simaudio Moon Neo 430HA owner could tell me what they have compared it to or had prior to buying the Sim amp. I currently have a Auralic Taurus and wonder if the Neo 430HA would be an upgrade?
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 4:28 PM Post #558 of 1,920
vangelis said:
I'm very interested in theNeo 430HA. I would be interested if a Simaudio Moon Neo 430HA owner could tell me what they have compared it to or had prior to buying the Sim amp. I currently have a Auralic Taurus and wonder if the Neo 430HA would be an upgrade?
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I have both and I prefer the 430HA. Slightly warmer presentation, better dynamics, similar detail. It is an upgrade, but perhaps not a large one. The Taurus is a very good unit as is. My main reason for getting the 430HA is that it can throw 8W into the HE6 - enough to drive it very well indeed. The Taurus can only manage around 4W into the HE6 and that isn't enough. Sound is thin and bass is weak compared to the 430HA.
 
If you love the HE6 it makes sense, otherwise it is a lot of cash to through at a small upgrade over the Taurus IMHO. Personally, I would look at DAC and/or headphone upgrades first. The price of a 430HA (without DAC) would cover the cost of a HE1000 for example. That might be a better investment. YMMV
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Jul 11, 2015 at 5:48 PM Post #559 of 1,920
Your right other upgrades may be more appropriate. My front end is pretty good, cables and pwr cords are all addressed unless I go for the second mortgage level stuff. My over all my system presentation has plenty of warmth, so I would only go for the Simaudio if it offered more openness texture and detail, clearly that would make it worthwhile.

My 3.7 DAC is strong with the Bel Canto ref pwr supply and Ref USB to SPDIF . I listened to a lot of DACs, but I'm open-minded. Maybe the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil but it would have to be a world beater for its price to compete with the Bel Canto.

Yeah, really If the difference between these two amplifiers are really close, HE 1000s might be a good path.
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 6:30 PM Post #560 of 1,920
Some really interesting chat recently on the Abyss forum regarding the comparison between the Abyss and HE1000 - worth a look if you haven't already. I won't be getting a new HP until 2016. Both the HE1000 and Ether are on the shortlist. Can't do it this year as the Takatsukis + Glenn amp are soaking up my audio toy budget (in a good way).
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 6:32 PM Post #561 of 1,920
I'll have to check out the conversation. ATM, I would buy the Ether's over the other two. YMMV. 
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 10:46 AM Post #562 of 1,920
Anybody seen any measurements of the 430HA's internal DAC? Trying to decide if it would be worth it to pick up a used Oppo 105D, or to just use a 103 and get the DAC option in the 430HA when I pick one up.
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 11:20 AM Post #563 of 1,920
Hello all,

Very interested in this amp though I would appreciate your thoughts on what I see as a somewhat repeated criticism by a some reviewers: the unit is TOO sweet and euphonic, TOO much of a good thing.

I'm considering the amp with the DAC: not trolling, just very much hoping to hear that these concerns are unfounded.

Thanks!

Shmuel
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:41 PM Post #564 of 1,920
That's an acute over exaggeration; it's not akin to a muddy tube amp :¬)
 
If you like a bit of warmth (I prefer coherence as a verb, the amp offers top class detail), it's a great option. It will be 'too' 'warm' for those that like 'clinical' 'neutrality', but it's all subjective. It's impossible to gauge whether something is for you by other's opinions.
 
Try it yourself :¬)
 
P.S. I've put the internal DAC against the Yggdrasil and Lamp Big 7 using the Abyss (blind A/B). Neither warranted the 'upgrade' outlay. I take *any* comparison by *any* person with a pinch of salt if it's not been A/B blind tested, we're too easy influenced to be rational in purchasing decisions.
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:49 PM Post #565 of 1,920
shmuel said:
Hello all,

Very interested in this amp though I would appreciate your thoughts on what I see as a somewhat repeated criticism by a some reviewers: the unit is TOO sweet and euphonic, TOO much of a good thing.

I'm considering the amp with the DAC: not trolling, just very much hoping to hear that these concerns are unfounded.

Thanks!

Shmuel
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Check out the review in my signature. It is NOT euphonic. I have not read any reviews that had that opinion.
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:50 PM Post #566 of 1,920
I very much appreciate your replies.
I have been enjoying my he1k with the microZOTL and Chord Hugo--just can't stop wondering what the Moon 430had would sound like and if it would be appreciably better.
I should know by Tuesday if I'm going to take the plunge--and will report back if I do.
Thanks again!
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:52 PM Post #567 of 1,920
No comparison vs the Hugo to my ears, though if you've read any of this thread you'll likely be aware of that already :¬)
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:56 PM Post #568 of 1,920
Yoga,
Can you give me a few details wrt how the Moon Dac betters the Hugo? I would need to sell the Hugo if I am going to be able to afford the Moon, so this is a very important question for me.
I very much like the sound I'm getting with the Hugo though am surprised by a lack of soundstage in a number of different set ups and wonder if this is due to the Chord.
Shmuel
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 4:58 PM Post #569 of 1,920
I just stumbled into review of the Taurus II. The reviewer commented about the amplifier not fleshing out or becoming open and detailed until the gain level set higher . I thought I was crazy I've been experiencing the same thing for over a year and now I feel kind of vindicated. Does the Simaudio 430 have a more linear presentation and then perhaps remaining more detailed at low-volumes? Maybe a better way to ask it, is the 430 perhaps slightly more detailed then the Taurus at a low-volume? Having Teniasis, I'm a very low volume listener and require the most resolution.
 
Jul 12, 2015 at 5:07 PM Post #570 of 1,920
vangelis said:
I just stumbled into review of the Taurus II. The reviewer commented about the amplifier not fleshing out or becoming open and detailed until the gain level set higher . I thought I was crazy I've been experiencing the same thing for over a year and now I feel kind of vindicated. Does the Simaudio 430 have a more linear presentation and then perhaps remaining more detailed at low-volumes? Maybe a better way to ask it, is the 430 perhaps slightly more detailed then the Taurus at a low-volume? Having Teniasis, I'm a very low volume listener and require the most resolution.
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I am a low level listener - just how I like my music (and to preserve my hearing).
 
I prefer the 430HA everytime, but I didn't notice the Taurus having a major problem at low levels. Let me do some more some A/B testing and get back to you.
 
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