[jlbrach]

I was referring to the Liquid gold as a realistic comparison to the Moon 430

 

[JohnnyCakes]

   
got the Moon Neo 430 last week and i've finally heard everything the Utopia and LCD-4 are capable of.  in my opinion, the HA-1 provided about 85% of what the Utopia is capable of.  the 430?  100%.  i felt the HA-1 provided about 70% of what the LCD-4 is capable of.  likewise, with the 430 it provides 100%.  

 
 
update:  it's funny, going from the HA-1 to the Nēo430, i thought it would make a bigger difference with the LCD-4 than the Utopia, due to the fact the LCD is the one that needs the huge power supply.  
 
but i must say, i already LOVED the LCD-4 at first listen, even on the HA-1.  it's the UTOPIA that i've realized has been more redeemed with the 430! 
 
the Utopia on the HA-1, i could tell it had skills, but i wasn't really feeling them.  there was no emotional connection at all to the music.  it was cold and at times sibilant/bright and was kind of a let-down after all the hype i read about the Utopia.  well ALL THAT HAS CHANGED with the Utopia on the 430.  they are absolute magic now.  the bass went from anemic to SOOO GOOOOD.  not quite as much bass as the LCD-4 (nothing is), but enough and insanely precise.  the music overall is warmer and flows better.  just addicting to listen to now.  
 
and realize - my Utopia's only have about..... 40hrs of burn-in?  the Moon about 15hrs?  i can't fathom that the sound is only going to get better from here after they both have a couple hundreds hours under their belt.  

i was almost secretly hoping the Utopia's wouldn't do this, so i could return them and save $4k.  not anymore.  like the LCD-4, they'll have to be pried from my cold dead hands.  the two cans complement each other beautifully, and i have my perfect "simple yet superior" set-up i've been looking for.  one amp+dac feeding two magnificent cans, depending on my mood.
 
i am one seriously happy camper. 
 
THANK YOU SIMAUDIO!!!   

 

 

[Here2rock]

 
i was almost secretly hoping the Utopia's wouldn't do this, so i could return them and save $4k.  not anymore.  like the LCD-4, they'll have to be pried from my cold dead hands.  the two cans complement each other beautifully, and i have my perfect "simple yet superior" set-up i've been looking for.  one amp/dac feeding two magnificent cans.  
 
 

 
You guys are really making me reconsider my plans, I am definitely going to give them an extended audition. 

 

[Sonic Guild]

To all Moon Neo owners:
 
I find it odd that I m listing to the LCD4 at vol 55, MAX on Neo is 80! 

I can go up to 60 on few songs!
 
Thoughts?

 

[longbowbbs]

Are you on low gain? On high gain with the LCD-X's I would not want to go past 40.

 

[Sonic Guild]

  Are you on low gain? On high gain with the LCD-X's I would not want to go past 40.

High gain!
The LCD4 200 ohms 

 

[longbowbbs]

300 Ohm HD800's on hi Gain I am at around 56.

 

[Sonic Guild]

  300 Ohm HD800's on hi Gain I am at around 56.

Do u find it normal?
 
We are talking about 4W amp.
If we are hitting vol 55 and MAX is 80, this is questionable, right? I am no technical guy, so I know nothing about numbers. 

 

[longbowbbs]

The wattage does not mean it is going to be linear from 0. The power is there if the particular cans need it. I would not be concerned.

 

[JohnnyCakes]

  To all Moon Neo owners:
 
I find it odd that I m listing to the LCD4 at vol 55, MAX on Neo is 80! 

I can go up to 60 on few songs!
 
Thoughts?

what's odd about it?
 
running Tidal (force volume) to the 430HAD (high gain) thru LCD-4, i usually listen between 60-65.  
 
my Utopia's, same set up, i listen between 50-55.

 

[stersa]

I running my abyss ab1266 in hi ,53-55 maximum..a lot of sound...

Regards

Sisco

 

[Sonic Guild]

 
what's odd about it?
 
running Tidal (force volume) to the 430HAD (high gain) thru LCD-4, i usually listen between 60-65.  
 
my Utopia's, same set up, i listen between 50-55.

I find it odd because the Moon is powerful amp with max vol at 80, hitting 60 still comfortable for me!
 
Isn't it linear relation between Vol level and power? 

 

[jlbrach]

When I listen to my LCD-4 through my Dave and Moon 430 I listen on low gain and vary between the upper 30's for the insanely loud remastered recordings to the upper 50's for those recordings mastered at much lower volumes...on high gain subtract about 6 from the numbers above...If i use my Utopia through the 430 which I rarely do the volume will vary from about 30-40

 

[Armaegis]

Guys, the output is also highly dependent on the input. If it's a small input signal, obviously you'll have to turn it up higher.
 
Also, volume is not linear with power. A doubling of power only equals +3dB of volume.

 

[jlbrach]

Actually I believe 10DB is a doubling of sound volume..I am pretty sure i have read that many times
 
How many DB to double sound?

Doubling of the volume (loudness) should be sensed as a level difference of +10 dB− acousticians say. Doubling of sound intensity (acoustic energy) belongs to a calculated level change of +3 dB. +10 dB is the level of twice the perceived volume or twice as loud (loudness) in psychoacoustics − mostly sensed.