Moon by Simaudio 680D streaming DAC

I also asked Dominique about the collaboration necessary to integrate Roon and MQA into Moon’s products. He said that both companies were very attentive to manufacturer differences when integrating their technologies into Moon products. An example with Roon centred around how the volume control programming was written at Roon did not function well with the Moon volume control. They worked together to write new software to correctly meld Roon, MiND2 and the 680D DAC function when using Simlink and a Moon preamplifier. That tight collaboration between vendors ultimately works for the benefit of music lovers.

Enough preamble! How does it sound? In fact, the preamble gets you through the few weeks of burn-in you should spend before opening up the 680D’s throttle for some critical listening. First up after the burn, was ‘Miss Marlene’ from Donald Fagen’s Solo album Sunken Condos [Warner Music]. Fagen sets a strong groove with this song that really drives the music. The guitar work is crisp and precise. Fagen’s control of the sound space is well represented. Clear spatial definition outlines each instrument within the whole. The bass guitar and drums provide a funky strong rhythm that gives the song a jump that engages the listener. The 680D opens up the song smoothly and allows the band to bring the listener along for a great sonic ride.

Next up was the new Evanescence album, The Bitter Truth [BMG] and the song ‘The Game is Over’. Amy Lee is one of my favourite female singers. Her voice can be powerful, subtle and bewitching. Combine her vocal prowess with hard crunching metal guitar work and you get a symphonic rock sound that is wonderful. ‘The Game is Over’ showcases her soaring operatic power to full effect. The 680D gave perfect shape to her impressive range while framing it with the crunch and growl of the drop D guitar assaults. The presentation is at times kaleidoscopic and thrilling. Ultimately, I listened to the entire album enthralled by the 680D’s wonderful presentation of this great new work by Amy and the band.

One evening listening with the 680D and Roon radio up popped Duncan Sheik’s ‘Barely Breathing’ [Duncan Sheik, Atlantic]. I have always enjoyed this breezy song. What I took notice of was once again the clarity of the presentation. Duncan’s voice was smooth and relaxed. The band was presented in a near 3D sonic field. The song is now twenty-five years old, and it still sounds fresh and new, and it sounded as grain free and pure as I have ever heard it. Coming across as a random stream it was exciting to have a sit up and take notice moment that I place at the feet of the 680D’s exceptional technology. I expect recordings that are hi-res and directed at audiophiles to sound pristine but to have 16/44 older recordings be transformed is outstanding.