Network Player MOON by Simaudio 280D 2-Tone

MOON 280D – network DAC with MiND2 module and fully balanced differential architecture

The Simaudio MOON 280D is a high-end D/A converter with a built-in MiND2 network streamer, designed as the central digital source of a hi-fi system. It handles PCM up to 32 bits and 384 kHz, DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 (via USB and the network input; the other inputs work with lower limits) and supports full MQA decoding, including display of the resulting sampling rate of the unfolded stream in the app. The streaming module occupies one of the inputs and is in no way given priority – switching between NET, Bluetooth, USB and the conventional digital inputs is entirely equal.

The design is based on fully balanced differential circuitry and strict isolation of interference from the signal sources. Measurements show practically perfect isolation of the USB and Ethernet connections: when a computer is connected to the network, there is no typical hump at 50 Hz nor noise spikes in the treble, with an overall figure of -115.5 dB. The manufacturer states a signal-to-noise ratio of 118 dB, dynamic range of 120 dB, operating distortion THD of 0.001% and intrinsic jitter of 1 ps RMS with a 32-bit signal. The measured values with 16-bit material (THD 0.00034%, IMD 0.00357%, noise floor -97.8 dBA) as well as with 24 bits (THD 0.00017%, IMD 0.0006%) confirm the declared specifications.

The chassis, weighing 7.5 kg and measuring 429 × 86 × 333 mm, carries four control buttons and twenty LED indicators on the front panel: eight for input selection, eight for the PCM sampling rate and three for DSD64/DSD128/DSD256. Such indication makes it possible to verify instantly whether a bit-perfect signal is reaching the converter – which is crucial above all with a computer as the source, where the operating system often changes the format unnoticed. The only piece of information not shown on the panel is the MQA status. The equipment includes two optical and two coaxial inputs, AES/EBU, USB-B, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the outputs are implemented as analogue RCA and balanced XLR.

The low noise floor, negligible jitter and consistent input isolation translate into legible microdynamics, stable localisation of instruments and a calm background free of audible artefacts from the network or USB connection. Operation is handled by the MiND app, built around playlists that can combine local network sources (NAS, computer) as well as streaming services – TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, HIGHRESAUDIO, Spotify, internet radio and podcasts are supported, and among network protocols UPnP/DLNA and Apple AirPlay 2. Communication between the app and the unit is bidirectional, so a change made on one device appears on the others almost immediately. Firmware 2.00 from August 2021 removed the faulty display of the sampling rate when skipping tracks.

Key features

• PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD64/128/256, full MQA
• Fully balanced differential circuits, XLR and RCA outputs
• MiND2 network module with UPnP/DLNA and AirPlay 2
• Intrinsic jitter of 1 ps RMS, dynamic range of 120 dB
• Input and sampling rate indication via 20 LEDs