July 23, 2015

  • Simaudio Neo 260D, Part 14

    When it comes to powercords on the Simaudio Neo 260D, I've saved the best for last. Of my stable of powercords, the one which allows the Neo 260D to perform at its absolute best is the (properly burned-in on an audiodharma Cable Cooker) Pranawire Vajra with Oyaide M1/F1 plugs.
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    This Vajra itself is exceedingly neutral (characterless). But at the same time, its ability to keep noise at bay reveals the Neo 260D's true performance capabilities.

    Quite clearly, the transport section is the weak link. While it does have full extension, something in the upper mids through mid-treble is down in level. It's as though your nose is slightly or partially stuffy. Thus, there is a diminution of air and breath around and between instruments.

    When fed external digital sources, the internal DAC section shows no sign of this upper midrange to mid-treble diminution.

    With the Vajra providing a quiet and neutral platform for the Neo 260D, you can easily hear the difference in not just the various fuses, but in the direction of those fuses. With the Vajra not introducing distortions and colorations, the Neo 260D will have a more even tonal balance when the F1 fuse points toward the front panel, while the F2 fuse points toward the nearby side wall.

    With the Vajra maximizing the Neo 260D's abilities, we can now compare it to the "Big 3" CD players, the dCS Puccini, Simaudio Andromeda, and Wadia 781i.

    Versus the dCS Puccini, the Neo 260D does not decode soundstage depth as well. Nor does the Neo 260D reproduce those refined and classy instrumental textures. However, the Neo 260D has better hold and grip of the music. Especially with the Synergistic Research Quantum Red fuses, the Neo 260D rocks, something the Puccini isn't really that good at. Note: if you want the Neo 260D to mimic the Puccini, become a Puccini alternative, use the Pranawire Maha Samadhi, instead of the Vajra.

    No, the Neo 260D is not the equal of Simaudio's own Andromeda. The Neo 260D cannot touch the Andromeda's unparalled sense of liveliness, ease of resolution, and exquisite imaging.

    The Neo 260D does not come close to the Wadia 781i's professional solidity, and unflinching resolution. The 781i has a mature poise, which is like a calm adult male lion, overlooking the plains. Unperturbed, this adult male lion is impervious to rain, heat, quakes, wind, birds, hyenas, ants, flies, other lions, humans, and other stimuli. The Neo 260D comes across as a dependable and well-credentialled adolescent lion. The adolescent lion may not have the grandiose stature and reverence as the adult lion, but s/he has the instincts, energy, curiosity, and fearlessness needed to explore and get across those plains.