SimAudio 780D Evolution Owner's Manual

780D Evolution Series

Reference Streaming DSD DAC

Owner’s Manual

780D Evolution Series

Owner’s Manual

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves or another
apparatus that produces heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding­type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong is
provided for safety. If the provided plug does not fit
into the outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience

receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus. Unplug mains cord during
transportation.

11. Only use attachments and accessories specified by
the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or

table specified by the manufacturer
or sold with the apparatus. When a

cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as when the power cord
or plug has been damaged; liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus; or the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. No naked flame sources, such as candles, should be
placed on the apparatus.

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

FCC information for MOON 780D Digital-to-Analog Converter equipped with the Qualcomm® aptXTM audio for Bluetooth module
and MiND Music Streamer module::

This unit contains Transmitter Module FCC ID : SSSBC127-X and Transmitter Module FCC ID : ZUCSEDMP3. This device complies with
part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

780D Evolution Series

Important Safety Instructions (cont’d)

The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within
the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.

Marking by the “CE” symbol (shown left) indicates compliance of this device with the
EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the
European Community

Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely
before operating your MOON 780D Reference DAC.

1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from

the AC mains before connecting or
disconnecting any cables, or when cleaning any
component. To completely disconnect this
apparatus from the AC mains, disconnect the
power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

2. The

3. AC extension cords are NOT recommended for

4. NEVER use flammable or combustible

5. NEVER operate the

MOON 780D must be terminated with a

three-conductor AC mains power cord which
includes an earth ground connection. To
prevent shock hazard, all three connections

must ALWAYS be used. Connect the
780D only to an AC source of the proper
voltage; Both the shipping box and rear panel
serial number label will indicate the correct
voltage. Use of any other voltage will likely
damage the unit and void the warranty

use with this product. The mains plug of the
power supply cord shall remain readily
accessible.

chemicals for cleaning audio components.

MOON 780D with any

covers removed. There are no user-serviceable
parts inside. An open unit, especially if it is still
connected to an AC source, presents a
potentially lethal shock hazard. Refer all
questions to authorized service personnel only.

MOON

6. NEVER wet the inside of the MOON 780D with
any liquid. If a liquid substance does enter your

MOON 780D, immediately disconnect it from

the AC mains and take it to your MOON dealer
for a complete check-up.

7. NEVER spill or pour liquids directly onto the
MOON 780D.

8. NEVER block air flow through ventilation slots
or heatsinks.

9. NEVER bypass any fuse.

10. NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type
other than those specified

11. NEVER attempt to repair the
problem occurs contact your MOON dealer.

12. NEVER expose the
high or low temperatures.

13. NEVER operate the
explosive atmosphere.

14. ALWAYS keep electrical equipment out of
reach of children.

15. ALWAYS unplug sensitive electronic
equipment during lightning storms.

16. WARNING: Do not expose batteries or battery
pack to excessive heat such as sunshine, or fire
or the like.

MOON 780D to extremely

MOON 780D. If a

MOON 780D in an

Owner’s Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction 6
Unpacking 7
Installation & Placement 7
Front Panel Controls 8
Software Setup 9
Rear Panel Connections 14
SimLink™ 15

Operating the 780D

15
Remote Control Operation 16
Balanced Operation 18
Specifications 19
Quick Reference: Setup Menus Appendix

www.simaudio.com

Simaudio Ltd., 1345 Newton Road

Boucherville, Québec J4B 5H2 CANADA

Date Code: 20161101

780D Evolution Series

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the MOON 780D Reference
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) as a part of your
music/cinema system. This DAC has been designed to
offer state-of-the-art high-end performance in an
elegant package, while retaining all the sonic hallmarks
on which Simaudio has made its reputation. We have
spared no effort to ensure that it is the finest DAC
available. We have been building high-performance
audio equipment for 35 years, and the know-how
gained through our cumulative experience is an
important reason why MOON DACs are so musically
satisfying. The know-how gained through our
cumulative experience is an important reason why
MOON DACs are so musically satisfying.

The performance of your 780D will continue to improve
during the first 400 hours of listening. This is the result
of a “break-in” period required for the numerous high
quality electronic parts used throughout this DAC.

Before setting up your new MOON 780D, we encourage
you to please read this manual thoroughly to properly
acquaint yourself with its features. We hope you enjoy
listening to the MOON 780D DAC as much as the pride
we have taken in creating this fine audio product. We
understand the power and emotion of music and build
our products with the goal of faithfully capturing these
elusive qualities.

The information contained in this manual is subject to
change without notice. The most current version of this
manual is available on our official website at
www.simaudio.com

Your MOON 780D DAC incorporates many innovative
significant design features to achieve its “world class”
level of performance. This is an abbreviated list of the
more important features:

Nine (9) digital inputs include USB (hi-res audio), AES/EBU,
SPDIF (x3), Optical (x2), Bluetooth® with Qualcomm® aptXTM
audio support, and Ethernet/Wi-Fi.

Supports native DSD up to DSD256 (USB only) and PCM up to
384kHz (32-bit on USB only) .

Built-in MiND network streaming player includes TIDAL Music
Service. (Note: TIDAL is a paid subscription based service).

DSD Streaming over Ethernet via MiND.

Femto second clock (vs. Pico second clock where 1 pico-

second = 1000 femto-seconds): The result is much lower jitter

- 150 femto-seconds (less than 1/6 of a pico-second) - and
therefore lower distortion.

There is one DAC chip per channel running in mono mode for
a true dual-mono design; each of these two DAC chips are
programmed to process a single channel for the best possible
sonic performance, whereby each chip contains 16 individual
DAC circuits which provides for 8 differential mode DAC
circuits.

On-board programmable software for customization of the
end-user interface.

MHP (Moon Hybrid Power) is a “High Performance Universal
(Power Supply” using conductive polymer capacitors, high
speed digital switching and analog linear regulators post
stages (non-switch mode) for ultra stable and exceptionally
low noise DC output

2 stages of our M-LoVo (MOON Low Voltage) DC regulation
circuit; a highly sophisticated circuit that is virtually free of
noise, yielding an exceptionally fast, precise, and stable DC
voltage. The result is a power supply with a virtually
unmeasurable noise floor

Power supply voltage regulation includes i²DCf (Independent
Inductive DC Filtering); There is one inductor dedicated to
each integrated circuit type component (DAC, Op-Amp, etc.)
in the audio circuit's signal path; 4 stages in all

A very short capacitor-free signal path using a DC servo circuit
and proprietary 18dB/octave analog filter

RS-232 port for (i) full unsolicited bidirectional feedback and
(ii) firmware updates; 12 Volt trigger output for remote
operation; IR input for external control with aftermarket
infrared remote control receivers and SimLink
ports that allow for 2-way communications between other
MOON components.

Ultra rigid chassis construction to minimize the effects of
external vibrations

Fully compatible with the 820S external power supply.

4-Layer printed circuit boards with pure copper tracings for
a much shorter signal path; This results in greater sonic
accuracy and a dramatically improved signal-to-noise ratio

Includes the FRM-3 remote control

TM

controller

6