Simaudio Moon Neo 260D CD Player
 

Anyone have? Thought and opinions please!
Thx

I don't have the neo 260D but I do have the 360D (not neo). It sounds great, lots of details but a bit more bright than my mcd301. My mcd301 overall offers more bass and sounds a bit fuller. I know that simaudio, in the moon series at least, is on the bright side. For its price range however, the 360D offers an excellent price to performance ratio.

I don't know for the neo series though since simaudio raised the pricing, and i am not sure if the neo séries is not only the moon series with a new look.

Reviews:

MOON N

Sim Audio Moon 260D Neo and 250i Neo | Hi-Fi+

Simaudio Moon Neo 260D CD Transport/DAC Reviewed

Thanks!
Your opinion....would I gain anything by selling my MCD301 for the 260D....and using the DAC in my C50?

Based on my experience I am not sure you would gain much. I like very much the 360D but I would not be willing to sell my MCD301 in favor of the 360D. I would prefer instead up grade to the MCD550 or esoteric K03, since both have the DAC input.

It is difficult to say which of the 260d or the c50 would offer the best performance, but for me i would just pass and go to higher end model I Can afford and use the DAC of the source instead of the C50. BTW, the C50 is the next preamp I intend to purchase; your situation is similar to mine.

EDIT:
My CDP is Simaudio 360D, not 340i as previously written.

Have had good experience with both the 260d and the mcd301.

Personally never thought too highly of the 301 for the money, tonally excellent (classic McIntosh) but didn't quite have the precision in soundstaging and placement I personally enjoy in a really nice system.

The 260d surprised me, it was actually a bit of a joy to use, the controls were fast, responsive and easy. Sound quality wise, not too shabby at all. Good rhythm, timing and articulation. It had a touch less of the transparency where their evolution series CD players excel. The sound was tonally a bit warmer with an overall slight lift in the lower midrange (to my ears), quite unlike the CD1 and .5. Which to me were a little more grating.

To me the neo 260d should have been given a different name to seperate it better from the old CD1, later renamed the 260d. It's a far superior player, which to me is a better match for the neo 340i and better, than for the junior neo series stuff.

Hopefully that helped a little...

Recently Added the 260D
 

I bought the 260D and replaced an Oppo 105. I got the transport only version and linked up to the recently released Moon Neo 280 Dac. I am really pleased. The 280 is a better Dac than the optional Dac that is associated with the 260D. In any event, just somethign to consider if anyone is considering purchasing the 260D or 280.

Looking to replace my Cambridge CXC and I am down to 3 transports:

Woo Audio $1K
Moon 260D $2K
Mac MCT450 $4K

Not sure if the Woo would offer a noticeable improvement over the CXC.
Not sure if I want to spend 4K on the Mac (but I do love McIntosh).

Perhaps the 260D is the best choice.
Any opinions?

So far, what is your opinion on sound and reliability?

I am looking at new transports and the Neo 260D and Woo WTP1 are on the short list. However, I am concerned about reliability as I have no experience with either brand.

As much as I would like to McIntosh MCT450, $4K is a lot of scratch for a retiree.

Going to home demo the 260D transport next week.