[8140david]

Has any one tried the DAC of the Simaudio Moon i3.3 integrated Amplifier? (3000$)
The DAC comes as an option (add 400$ to the 3000).

Here are its characteristics:
"Optional Digital-to-Analog Converter: Digital Input Types S/PDIF (RCA) x 2 USB x 1 TosLink x 1 Digital Input Impedance S/PDIF 75 ohms @ 0.5 Volts DAC / Digital Filter BurrBrown PCM1793 Bit-depth range 16 - 24 bits Sampling Rate range 32.0 - 192kHz Frequency Response (audible) 20Hz - 20kHz +0/-0.2dB Frequency Response (full range) 2Hz - 72kHz +0/-3dB THD @ 1kHz, 0dBFS (A-weighted) < 0.001 % IMD < 0.004 % Dynamic Range > 116dB Signal-to-noise ratio > 115dB @ full output Slew Rate 50V/µs Channel Separation > 115dB Low Level Linearity ±1.0dB to below 120dBFS Intrinsic Jitter < 25 picoseconds RMS"

The manufacturer's page for this integrated amplifier is here:
Simaudio MOON i3.3 Integrated Amplifier

 

[HiFi FOR METAL]

Yeah I know this Thread is a little old, but I thought I would chime in. The DAC section of the i3.3 is Very Similar to that of the Sim Audio CD-1. I am a Sim Dealer and can tell you that the sound character of the DACs is very resolved with lots of air, low jitter, and great up-sampling techniques it up-samples at 352.8kHz which allows it to sound more like analog and less like digital. As for the tonality the Sim stuff is very neutral and has a very black background, but tends to lean ever so slightly on the warm side and has lots of control, balance, punch, airiness, power, authority and time domain coherency. You can hear attack and decay details very easily on their products which is very hard to capture on digital in general. Their CD players and DACs are some of the best at the price and have a very wide sound stage good current and power supplies and low jitter, very musical nonfatiguing yet detailed presentation. I hope that answers your question.

 

[auee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFi FOR METAL /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah I know this Thread is a little old, but I thought I would chime in. The DAC section of the i3.3 is Very Similar to that of the Sim Audio CD-1. I am a Sim Dealer and can tell you that the sound character of the DACs is very resolved with lots of air, low jitter, and great up-sampling techniques it up-samples at 352.8kHz which allows it to sound more like analog and less like digital. As for the tonality the Sim stuff is very neutral and has a very black background, but tends to lean ever so slightly on the warm side and has lots of control, balance, punch, airiness, power, authority and time domain coherency. You can hear attack and decay details very easily on their products which is very hard to capture on digital in general. Their CD players and DACs are some of the best at the price and have a very wide sound stage good current and power supplies and low jitter, very musical nonfatiguing yet detailed presentation. I hope that answers your question.

Hi-Fi For Metal, How does the Sim Audio CD3.3 factor into this? I am going back and forth between the CD-1 and the CD3.3. Is the transport the same? If so, other than the digital input on the CD3.3, can you advise me how they are different and if the difference is material to sound quality? BTW, I listen primarily to classic rock.

Thanks so much.

 

[Turn&cough]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFi FOR METAL /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah I know this Thread is a little old, but I thought I would chime in. The DAC section of the i3.3 is Very Similar to that of the Sim Audio CD-1. I am a Sim Dealer and can tell you that the sound character of the DACs is very resolved with lots of air, low jitter, and great up-sampling techniques it up-samples at 352.8kHz which allows it to sound more like analog and less like digital. As for the tonality the Sim stuff is very neutral and has a very black background, but tends to lean ever so slightly on the warm side and has lots of control, balance, punch, airiness, power, authority and time domain coherency. You can hear attack and decay details very easily on their products which is very hard to capture on digital in general. Their CD players and DACs are some of the best at the price and have a very wide sound stage good current and power supplies and low jitter, very musical nonfatiguing yet detailed presentation. I hope that answers your question.

I'm considering the i3.3 as an upgrade from my present Cambridge 640A V2.
My short list also includes the Naim Nait XS, Cambridge 840A V2 and possibly something from Prima Luna.
Feel free to comment.

 

[auee]

I did some extended listening to a system with the Naim XS. I will be blunt, I could not live with this amp. The mid range seemed to me to be recessed. It sounded thin and there was no presence to the music. I really disliked this amp. This was a great disappointment. Bear in mind, that I own a Naim CD5x and was hoping to like the new Naim amp. I do not know your preferences, but for me, I would not purchase this amp no matter the purchase price.

 

[SleepyOne]

Probably either the Moon or Prima Luna. Question also depends on whether you like tube or SS. Best to try it all out yourself and decide.

 

[Turn&cough]

Quote:

Originally Posted by auee /img/forum/go_quote.gif I did some extended listening to a system with the Naim XS. I will be blunt, I could not live with this amp. The mid range seemed to me to be recessed. It sounded thin and there was no presence to the music. I really disliked this amp. This was a great disappointment. Bear in mind, that I own a Naim CD5x and was hoping to like the new Naim amp. I do not know your preferences, but for me, I would not purchase this amp no matter the purchase price.

WOW - I didn't expect that. The only Naim I've heard is the Nait 5i and its mids sounded anything but recessed. I need to do some serious listening to Naim again. I like the Moon sound plus it has a very respectable head amp but I'm not crazy about its look especially with that big red display panel - but that can always be turned off. The Prima Lunas sound beautiful but you need to get the top of line model if you want a remote and I find the larger models a bit bulky. I'm not sure if I want to do the room warming "tube thing" again either.
Darn compromises.

 

[auee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn&cough /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm considering the i3.3 as an upgrade from my present Cambridge 640A V2. My short list also includes the Naim Nait XS, Cambridge 840A V2 and possibly something from Prima Luna. Feel free to comment.

If you get a chance to listen with the Simaudio i3.3, please post your impressions. It sounds to me that Simaudio's sound signature is a good fit for my preferences. Best of luck in your search.

 

[Turn&cough]

Quote:

Originally Posted by auee /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you get a chance to listen with the Simaudio i3.3, please post your impressions. It sounds to me that Simaudio's sound signature is a good fit for my preferences. Best of luck in your search.

Will do. The Moon dealer also carries Naim and the the new Marantz PM-15S1. Marantz has finally understood that not everyone liked their "blingy" gold finish and are now offering the Reference series in black.

 

[SleepyOne]

Not fan of marantz. Probably better stick to the others. Alt. could also consider passive pre + power amp. This way you are still within budget.

 

[danrhiggins]

I was able to bring home a Moon 3.3 CD players this weekend to demo. As I am listening to it I was reviewing this thread. I like it a lot. I demo's a Bryston CD-1 last night. I like this a bit better. Can't say exactly why. Just like the sound better. Maybe a tad bit on the warm side but not like Marantz. Which is good because my Vienna Acoustic speakers already have a warm sound. I primarily listen to classical.