July 16, 2015

  • Simaudio Neo 260D, Part 12

    If you are going to use the Simaudio Neo 260D as a one-box CD player, you have to address its (well, the transport's) shortcoming in the upper mids/lower treble. Obviously, the Stereotypical Audiophiles' attempts are going to include expensive powercords and interconnects. Those are fine and dandy, but one of the most cost-effective solutions is to use Hi-Fi Tuning's $60 Supreme fuse. Since the Neo 260D uses two, that'll run you..........$120. Nevertheless, that's less than what a family of spends on a Costco run.
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    In the Neo 260D, the HFT Supreme preserves image size and focus. Other fuses erroneously expand, stretch, warp, enlarge, and bloat the images.

    By not inflating image size, and by not being noisy, the HFT Supreme more cleanly and clearly defines the space or distance between those images.

    The upper air can make it appear as the top 1/4 of the soundstage is disconnected from the rest of the spectrum. But that is far preferable to the other fuses sucking out the top 1/4 of the soundstage. And with more precise image outlines, the Supreme better preserves the snap of snare drums. This leads to better PRAT.

    Of all the fuses we've tried in the Neo 260D, the HFT Supreme allows the Neo 260D to become its most chameleon-like. That is, the Neo 260D does not impose as much, and can now more accurately resolve what is actually on each CD. So on an overall basis, this will get the most out of your library (as a whole), if not specific individual discs. For everyday use, I find myself leaving the HFT Supremes in the Neo 260D.