That the world no longer needs a $9000 CD player is something I’m pretty sure the folks at Simaudio realized a few years ago, when they quit calling their upper-end source components « CD players » and began marketing them as « DAC-transports. » With the consistent decline of CD sales and the growth of downloads in recent years, sales of CD players have slowed while sales of D/A converters have grown. Emphasizing a player’s ability to convert digital signals to analog, rather than the type of disc it plays, sidesteps its eventual obsolescence while emphasizing its continued relevance. But still — does the world need a $9000 DAC-transport?
Description
The 650D is part of Simaudio’s top series, Moon Evolution (their lower-priced series is called, simply, Moon). In many ways, the 650D is a scaled-down version of its predecessor, the 750D DAC-transport ($13,000). The two models’ overall designs are quite similar, including their size and weight — each measures about 18.75″W x 4″H x 17″D and tips the scales at 35 pounds. They also look the same, with silver « cheeks » framing a faceplate available in black or silver. (I favor the black faceplate for the way it contrasts with the silver cheeks, pushbuttons, and Moon logo and name.) The rest of the 650D is black except for the silver corner columns, into which are screwed the supporting feet, and the small silver top plate, in which is engraved a larger version of the Moon