Moon Neo 230HAD review
What is the Moon Neo 230HAD
If you spend a lot of time at your desk enjoying music through high-end headphones then you need a DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) in your life, and the Moon Neo 230HAD should be a serious consideration if you have the cashThe Moon Neo 230HAD is a headphone amplifier and DAC that channels music from computers and other audio devices through its formidable arsenal of high-end electronics. "Why do I need a DAC when my PC has perfectly good 3.5mm jacks?", you ask. Well, your PC's sound card and audio outputs are most likely not high-end pieces of kit (unless you have a dedicated sound card), with cheap components causing a noticeable drop in audio quality for even non-enthusiast listeners. That's why a DAC is so important if you want the best audio quality from your existing equipment, taking digital signals via USB and converting them into lovely, clean analogue away from the mess of interference that is your PC or laptop
With a price of £1,150, it isn't exactly a budget option. But considering headphone amps can sell for much more, the 230HAD could be seen as good value if you’re in pursuit of high-end performance at a more reasonable price
Moon Neo 230HAD – Design and Connections
The design is esoteric but stylish. The thick curved faceplate is textured with an elegant, brushed effect, while the silver Moon logo and silver standby/input buttons are eye-catching touches. The top and sides have a coarser, dappled texture.
The large volume knob on the front turns smoothly but firmly, offering a more satisfying way of adjusting the volume than buttons. A central blue light fires up when you switch it on, while two columns of red LEDs on the left indicate the selected input – each one labelled to match the rear sockets – and the sample rate of the incoming signal
The Neo 230HAD’s DAC supports PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit through all inputs, and up to 384kHz/32-bit via USB. It also supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256
Three LEDs indicate whether it’s receiving a 44.1kHz, 48kHz or DSD signal, but for higher sample rates up to 384kHz, the 2x or 4x LEDs also light up. For example, if the signal is 192kHz, the 48kHz and 4x lights come on. Similarly, when playing DSD128 or DSD256 files, the DSD indicator comes on alongside the 2x or 4x light respectively
All these lights make the front panel more cluttered and make interpreting what you're actually listening to needlessly complicated – a screen would have been nice – but with that said it isn't exactly difficult to use
Also on the front panel are a 3.5mm analogue input for portable audio players and a 6.3mm headphone jack, ideally placed to plug in headphones and devices as you slog away at your desk
The rear panel is well stocked with connections. There are four digital inputs – one optical, two coaxial and a USB-B port for your PC or laptop – plus a set of single-ended analogue RCA inputs. They’re joined by two sets of RCA analogue connectors offering fixed and variable output, which means you can use the 230HAD as a DAC and pass the analogue signal to an amplifier
Moon Neo 230HAD – Operation
Controlling the 230HAD is a cinch whether up close or on the sofa. The input button on the front toggles through the six inputs quickly and the volume dial turns with a pleasing action
You also get a remote in the box, which is useful but looks like it fell out of a 1990s time capsule. The button layout is fairly cluttered and all the keys look the same, despite the addition of blue panels to differentiate the transport controls – for Moon CD players – and number keys. It's certainly an old-school touch, but it's probably time for a change
Moon Neo 230HAD – Performance
I hooked up some headphones and headed straight for "Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk (88.2kHz/24-bit). When the dramatic intro to "Give Life Back To Music" kicks in, the 230HAD’s pedigree pours through the headphones with a rich, cohesive presentation of the guitars and synths as the track buildsWhen the disco drums are let loose, they’re energetic and full-bodied, probing the low-frequency talents of the drivers. The kicks are tight and punchy and the bass line is solid, yet there’s lovely agility and accuracy in the notes
Bass doesn’t dominate the balance, however – the clear mid-range and silky treble are given equal attention. There’s tons of detail, with the 230HAD bringing attention to even the subtlest cymbals and effects. The level of refinement and insight here easily justifies the price tag
Power isn’t a problem either. The 230HAD reaches eardrum-damaging levels with the dial turned barely half way, and dives enthusiastically into the madness of the closing track "Contact" with all its dynamics and scale intact
It also offers good levels of attack, although with more aggressive styles such as hip-hop or drum and bass, I'd have liked just a little more bite and drive – I needed to crank up the volume to get the adrenalin flowing
But that aside the 230HAD shines, making tunes sound great no matter the source or sample rate
Should I buy the Moon Neo 230HAD
The Neo 230HAD needed something special to justify its substantial price tag, and just about pulls it off. Top-drawer build quality gives it the feel of a high-end product, while its muscular, spacious and detailed sound will let your high-end headphones unleash their true potentialCertain aspects aren’t quite up to scratch, like the old-fashioned front LEDs and naff remote, plus the sound could do with a little more bite, but on the whole this Moon is unlikely to be eclipsed at this price
