In the event you’re the form of one who judges hi-fi by its specs, high-end community streamers current fairly an issue. On paper, there’s normally little to separate them from these out there at a fraction of their worth. The mass-produced price range choices usually paved the way in leading edge know-how, because of economies of scale and the sheer shopping for energy of the bigger corporations that invariably make them.
To ensure that smaller manufacturers reminiscent of Moon to compete efficiently, they must look upmarket to cost factors the place obsessive consideration to engineering element is valued and sound high quality takes absolute precedence.
Don’t take that to imply that this Moon 680D streamer is in any approach a stripped-out purist affair. Music streamers from the likes of Linn and Naim have proven that it’s doable to have an intensive options set and nonetheless ship nice sound, and this Moon merely reinforces that.
Options
You’ll discover no scarcity of connectivity right here. There’s a powerful array of digital inputs taking in USB, AES/EBU, optical, and coax in each RCA and BNC kinds. There are 9 inputs in complete, although quantity eight is reserved for the built-in streaming module and enter 9 is for aptX Bluetooth (although we might have hoped for aptX HD in a newly launched product at this degree).
Moon 680D tech specs
AirPlay 2 Sure
Roon prepared Sure
Inputs USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF, optical, ethernet, wi-fi, aptX Bluetooth
Frequency response 2Hz – 100kHz
Dimensions (hwd) 10 x 48 x 43cm
Weight 18kg
Whereas Bluetooth invariably falls in need of the hard-wired inputs when it comes to efficiency, we’re nonetheless glad that Moon has chosen to incorporate it. Such an enter makes the 680D a extra inclusive system, permitting a fast hear from a good friend’s telephone or to offer higher sound copy from a YouTube video.
You may join the 680D to your private home community wirelessly, however we might suggest taking the wired ethernet route – not that there’s something innately mistaken with Moon’s wi-fi implementation, extra that the cable method is at all times probably the most steady technique to go.
The analogue outputs are the same old units of single-ended RCAs and balanced XLRs. In our set-up, which features a Burmester 088/911 Mk3 amplifier, paired both to the ATC SCM50 or Wilson Benesch Precision P2.0 audio system, the Moon’s balanced outputs sound bolder and extra dynamic. We use the Naim ND555/555PS DR music streamer as our digital supply with an Apple MacBook Professional (loaded with Audirvana music-playing software program and loads of hi-res music) offering the USB sign and normal again up.
Construct
Look contained in the 680D and it’s onerous to not be happy by the construct high quality on provide. We’re impressed with the care taken over the circuit format and energy provide association. The 680D makes use of Moon’s MHP (Moon Hybrid Energy) energy provide module, as used within the firm’s even pricier, reference merchandise.
The MHP module mixes each conventional linear and swap mode applied sciences to ship a steady, low-noise and power-efficient power feed to the sign circuitry. The digital and analogue sections are powered by separate outputs from the availability to keep away from undesirable interactions and optimise efficiency.
These wishing to spice up efficiency additional can add an outboard energy provide unit within the type of Moon’s 820S, which at £7200 ($8000, AU$14,000) is an expensive improve and would nearly double your outlay. We don’t have one readily available for our assessment, however we are able to’t assist considering that almost all potential consumers will assume {that a} leap too far. That stated, our experiences with Naim, Nagra and others have proven that such energy provide upgrades invariably enhance sound high quality dramatically.
Every of the 9 digital inputs feed into an FPGA (Subject Programmable Gate Array) that identifies the file kind – whether or not that’s PCM, DSD or MQA – and re-clocks the sign accordingly. We’ve got no complaints concerning the Moon’s file compatibility, which is as much as 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 information and may, due to this fact, cowl just about everybody’s music file assortment.
The digital coronary heart of the 680D is predicated round ESS Sabre’s ES9028PRO DAC chipset. The chip packs no fewer than eight DAC chips, configured in order that 4 mix to create the sign for every channel. The output of every chip is fastidiously calibrated in order that none of them are set to work on the identical degree. Doing that is claimed to cut back the impact of any distortion which may be frequent at any particular output degree.
Nice care has been taken with the digital clocking system, too. It’s fastidiously positioned to minimise jitter results and has a devoted precision voltage regulator to make sure a steady energy feed. As soon as the digital music stream is transformed to analogue, it passes by a completely balanced output stage that, as anticipated, is filled with high-grade elements.
Sound
The Moon 680D sounds fairly good from chilly however improves significantly over a couple of weeks of use. Given time, it turns into clearer and extra clear, gaining an considerable quantity of openness within the course of.
We begin with the digital inputs, which show remarkably constant. In our expertise, many high-end corporations battle to make their USB inputs sound pretty much as good because the others. We suspect that has one thing to do with the truth that the USB receiver module tends to be a ready-made unit purchased from third-party suppliers that will not match as much as the requirements of the remainder of the DAC circuitry. We’re happy to report that Moon avoids any such points.
Whatever the enter chosen, the sonic signature is acquainted sufficient. The corporate’s merchandise have at all times been easy and refined performers and this one isn’t any completely different. It’s a pleasant and accommodating stability – one which isn’t simply provoked by vivid or aggressive recordings.
That doesn’t imply the 680D isn’t revealing – it is a splendidly detailed-sounding product – however moderately that its easy-going nature means it doesn’t are likely to get ruffled simply. We play Hans Zimmer’s The Darkish Knight Rises OST (24-bit/192kHz) and the Moon delivers a large-scale and opulent sound.
There’s additionally a hint of additional heat to the sound in contrast with hard-line impartial options, such because the pricier dCS Bartók. That heat isn’t overdone; it merely provides a pretty bloom to the sound, making it much less demanding to take heed to over longer listening classes.
Instrumental textures come by convincingly and it’s straightforward sufficient to observe refined musical strands within the dense manufacturing. We’re happy with the Moon’s composure when pushed onerous, in addition to its means to organise all that data right into a cohesive and musical entire.
It’s uncommon to listen to a community streamer render such an expansive and layered soundstage whereas populating it with such tightly centered devices. Every thing stays steady even when the music turns into busy – which, as you will know for those who’ve heard this recording, is saying one thing, as Zimmer doesn’t maintain again on his trademark bombast.
However right here, the Moon begins to separate opinion. Whereas loving its civilised method to music making, we are able to’t assist however want for extra muscularity relating to expressing dynamic contrasts and punching out crescendos. It’s not that the Moon can’t do this stuff, extra that it sounds just a little restrained whereas doing them.
Restraint is one thing that shouldn’t swimsuit Kanye West’s Yeezus, but the Moon’s agility and articulation make listening to this album a pleasure. Positive, just a little extra directness and rhythmic drive could be good, however there’s no denying that the Moon can entertain. It conveys the perspective of the music properly and there’s by no means any doubt as to what West desires the listener to really feel.
We swap to the onboard streaming module and discover it to be a slick performer. There’s a devoted app, and it really works properly. Moon has been making streaming merchandise for a lot of years now and that have tells within the consistency and stability of operation.
Over our check interval, all the things operates because it ought to, with out subject. Alongside the flexibility to stream music information from a NAS drive in your community, the app additionally offers entry to Tidal Masters, Qobuz Sublime+ and Deezer Hi-Fi. The 680D is AirPlay 2 and Roon-ready too. There actually is little to complain about on the options entrance right here.
Sonically, the stability matches what we hear by the digital inputs. There’s the identical grace underneath duress and the form of refined and cultured supply that works properly throughout a spread of recordings and genres. It’s an attractive hear, although given the expectations of the worth level we nonetheless have questions over its dynamic punch and skill to speak the momentum in a chunk of music. These shortcomings are extra apparent right here than when utilizing different digital sources (bar by Bluetooth, after all).
Verdict
The streaming module is basically the identical as that used within the firm’s Thoughts 2 community streamer, which is offered for £1950 ($1950, AU$3199) and appears like a superb performer for the cash. Whether or not it’s a adequate supply to profit from such an bold DAC design is open to query.
Regardless, there’s no denying that the 680D stays a powerful performer total. It’s slick in use, properly made and constructed with care. We’ve got no complaints about file compatibility, and we’re large followers of its refined and articulate sonic nature. On the very least it deserves a spot on the shortlist.
SCORES
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