Digital Drive: REVIEW: Sim Audio Moon Supernova CD Player/Recorder by shaikhy

Model:	Moon Supernova
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$4500
Description:	CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Sim Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by shaikhy ( A ) on January 05, 2006 at 00:19:12
IP Address: 219.95.59.81

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for the Moon Supernova

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Please note: I'm about to give you my humble opinion on a product based on my biasness, preferences and taste using my system in my room. It might not be the most accurate observation so bear with me and leave the flames elsewhere. Constructive criticisms are welcomed though.
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"I don't plan to upgrade anymore". That was what I said 3 months ago when I put my Audio Aero Prima at the Dealer for sale intending to focus on analog front end alone. However, my Prima is back on the hi-fi rack (I missed it) and my car kept pulling itself towards the dealer showroom. Maybe I want to upgrade but just didn't know it...strange thing this subconscious mind...
Anyway, here I was in the dealer showroom when I noticed this beautifully sculpted piece of equipment staring at me and I can almost hear it say "Hi, I'm Supernova...you wanna take a ride with me?"...'Yes please...Mr. Dealer play me a song!' After a few tracks, wiping away the drool all I can say was 'Can I take it back for a while?'
Back at home....
It hit me the first time I heard it at the dealer and again at home, the minute the music starts to play I just exhaled, relaxed and gave a big sigh of relief. The music that is presented was warm, inviting and effortless. I forgot about mids, highs and lows, forgot about depth, width and stage, forgot about focus and dynamics....it's just effortless music that the musicians were playing and the singers were singing. Don't you hate it when you can't describe the music the way it's normally described? Have I hit the music 'G' spot?...and all this without the help of some silly weed! My big VR4s just disappeared and instead I'm presented with the performance itself. I've heard people describing this phenomena before. Just that I've never experienced it until now.....poor me. And please don't hit me on the head for saying this....err...ahem....I find the Moon Supernova sounded better than my Linn...probably the Linn setup has gone off...I'm using an entry RB250 anyway...please don't hurt me...phew.
Here are some 'Acid Tests' I gave myself to evaluate the Supernova:
1) Do I miss any part of the Prima (a very good player)?: Nope
2) Do I want to give it back?: Nope but it's beyond my budget (Help me Simaudio)
3) Do I still frown and cock my head during critical listening? Nope
4) Do I remember my kid's school grades when listeneing?: Nope
IT'S A KEEPER
Let me attempt to describe the sound:
I had the Moon Equinox at home a while back. In comparison the Equinox sounded a bit cold and detached. The supernova has an analoglike quality that's coupled with good tube amplification (CJ Premier series comes to mind). Tried asking myself those important questions; bass depth and control?-It's there; Soundstage?-lifelike; Musical flow?-excellent; Instrument separation and decay?-again lifelike; Focus?-not important to me, an area I find difficult to evaluate even with live music; Presence?-in abundance. I can go on but you get the picture.
So how does it compare with my Prima? The Supernova just gave me a clearer picture of the music. Vocals that are slurred with the Prima sounded clearer...and it outtubed the tubed Prima without having any...go figure.
Again, please don't take offense in my write-up. If I've offended anyone please accept my sincere apologies. After all music is entertainment. Have fun and enjoy your music!

Product Weakness: you tell me
Product Strengths: Effortless analoglike qualities

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Labs X150
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Pass Labs X1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Aero Prima/Linn LP12
Speakers:	von Schweikert VR4
Cables/Interconnects:	JPS Supurconductor FX, Wireworld Eclipse Gold II, AnalysisPlus Oval 9 & Silver Oval
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Secret Garden, Sting, Jacqui Dankworth, Eva Cassidy, Pat Metheny,Sarah McLachlan,Juan Carlos Quintero, Robert Plant, Kate Bush,Stanley Clarke
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 12 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Chang Lightspeed, PS UO
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	you tell me
Product Strengths:	Effortless analoglike qualities