moon Neo Series 220i User manual

Owner’s Manual
Series
220i
Integrated Amplifier

220i Integrated Amplifier
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 grounding-type 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.
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220i Integrated Amplifier
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 Simaudio MOON Nēo
220i Integrated Amplifier.
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 MOON 220i 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
MOON 220i 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
3. AC extension cords are NOT recommended for use with this product. The mains plug of the power supply
cord shall remain readily accessible.
4. NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components.
5. NEVER operate the MOON 220i 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.
6. NEVER wet the inside of the MOON 220i with any liquid. If a liquid substance does enter your MOON 220i,
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 220i.
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 MOON 220i. If a problem occurs contact your MOON dealer.
12. NEVER expose the MOON 220i to extremely high or low temperatures.
13. NEVER operate the MOON 220i in an 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.
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220i Integrated Amplifier
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................... 6
Unpacking........................................................ 7
Installation & Placement ................................... 7
Front Panel Controls ......................................... 8
Rear Panel Connections ..................................... 9
SimLink™ .......................................................10
Operating the 220i ..........................................10
Remote Control Operation ................................11
Specifications .................................................13
www.simaudio.com
Simaudio Ltd., 1345 Newton Road
Boucherville, Quebec J4B 5H2 CANADA
Date Code: 20140904
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220i Integrated Amplifier
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6
Introduction
Thank you for selecting the Nēo 220i Integrated
Amplifier as a part of your music/cinema system.
This component 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 amongst
the
finest
two-channel Integrated Amplifiers available
in its class. We have been building high-performance
audio equipment for over 30 years, and the
know-how gained through our cumulative
experience is an important reason why MOON
integrated amplifiers are so musically satisfying.
The performance of your 220i 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 integrated amplifier.
Before setting up your new Nēo 220i, we
encourage you to please read this manual
thoroughly to properly acquaint yourself with its
features. We hope you enjoy listening to the Nēo
220i integrated amplifier 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
http://www.simaudio.com
Your Nēo 220i integrated amplifier incorporates many significant design features to achieve its “world class”
level of performance. This is an abbreviated list of the more important features:
Six line-level inputs including one front-mounted 1/8”
mini-jack for personal media players.
Headphone output on ¼” TRS jack located on the front
panel.
RS-232 port for i) full unsolicited bidirectional feedback
in custom installation setups and ii) firmware updates.
IR input for external control.
Proprietary MOON Bipolar Output transistors with
unprecedented gain linearity resulting in improved
bass response and even more accurate sonic
reproduction.
Class A output to 5 watts for greater efficiency.
SimLinkTM controller port allows for 2-way
communications between other compatible MOON
components
Rigid chassis construction to minimize the effects of
External vibrations
Designed to be powered up at all times for optimal
performance
Low operating temperature for an ultra-long life
expectancy.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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7
Unpacking
The Nēo 220i integrated amplifier should be removed from its box with care.
The following accessories should be included inside the box with your integrated amplifier:
9
AC power cable
9 ‘CRM-2’ remote control with two ‘AA’ batteries
9 This owner’s manual
9 Warranty and product registration information (USA and Canada only)
Once the Nēo 220i is unpacked, inspect it
thoroughly and report any damage to your dealer
immediately. We suggest that you keep all of the
original packaging, storing it in a safe, dry place in
case you’re required to transport this product. The
customized packaging is specially designed to
protect the 220i from any potential damage during
transit.
Please write the serial number of your new Simaudio Nēo 220i in the space provided below for future reference.
Serial No.: ________________
Installation & Placement
The Nēo 220i Integrated Amplifier requires
reasonable ventilation to maintain an optimum and
consistent operating temperature, especially since it
will radiate heat when driven hard. Consequently, it
should be placed in a location with empty space
around it for proper heat dissipation. You should
never place another component on top of this
integrated amplifier. As well, it should be placed on
a solid level surface. You should avoid placing it near
a heat source or inside a closed cabinet that is not
well ventilated as this could compromise the
amplifier’s performance and reliability. The 220i
uses a large toroidal transformer in its power supply;
even though it is well shielded, you should not place
this integrated amplifier too close to source
components sensitive to EMI, such as turntables,
phono preamplifiers and CD Players. Finally, y
ou
should never place another component directly on
top of this integrated amplifier.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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8
Front Panel Controls
Figure 1: Nēo 220i Front panel
The front panel will look similar to Figure 1 (above).
The remote control sensor is located directly to the
right of the “Phones” output jack and it should never
be blocked, otherwise remote control operation may
be compromised. The “Standby” button disengages
the input section from the rest of the Nēo 220i’s
circuitry. When in “Standby” mode all audio circuitry
remains powered up to help maintain optimal
performance. When switching back from “Standby”
to the “on” mode, both the ‘input’ and volume level
settings will be memorized from the previous
listening session. The blue indicator LED turns off
when the 220i is in “Standby” mode.
The Nēo 220i integrated amplifier has six (6) inputs
labeled CD, Video, DVD, Aux, Tuner, and MP. Each
of the first five (5) inputs has a corresponding pair
of input connections located on the unit’s rear panel
(refer to the section entitled “Rear Panel
Connections” for futher details). The sixth input,
labelled “MP” (Media Player) has its corresponding
input connection located on the right side of the
front panel for easy access. The “MP” input uses a
1/8” mini-jack connector which is the most common
type of connection found on portable media players.
Select any one of these six (6) inputs by simply
pressing the associated button. When selected, the
corresponding red indicator LED, located directly
beside the button will illuminate.
The “Spk off” button turns off the output signal only
to the loudspeakers connected to the Nēo 220i.
This feature is very useful when using headphones.
When this function is engaged, the red LED located
to the right will illuminate.
The “Mute” button mutes the output signal to the
loudspeaker terminals, headphone jack, as well as
both the fixed and variable line output connectors
(refer to the section entitled “Rear Panel
Connections” for further details). Pressing the
“Mute” button a second time will reinstate the
volume back to its previous level. When the output
signal is muted, the red LED to the right will
repeatedly flash on and off.
The “Phones” jack is used for connecting a pair of
stereo headphones to the Nēo 220i. The input
connector is a standard ¼” stereo TRS jack. When
a pair of headphones are used with the 220i,the
loudspeakers will still receive an output signal.
However, you should use the “Spk off” button for
private listening.
The rotary “Volume” control determines the output
level and has an embedded red LED to indicate its
actual position.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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9
Rear Panel Connections
Figure 2: Nēo 220i Rear panel
The rear panel will look similar to Figure 2 (above).
There are five (5) pairs of single-ended inputs on
RCA connectors labeled CD, DVD, TUNER. VIDEO
and AUX. The RCA input connectors on the rear
panel have been color coded: ‘white’ for the left
channel and ‘red’ for the right channel.
The Nēo 220i integrated amplifier also has one pair
of non-amplified outputs labeled ‘PRE OUT’, located
next to the AUX input, and is designated for output
to a power amplifier with single-ended RCA inputs in
the event that you wish to use your 220i as a
preamplifier only. The output level on the ‘PRE OUT’
is variable and is adjusted by volume control.
Don’t hesitate to use high quality interconnect
cables*. Poor quality interconnect cables can
degrade the overall sonic performance of your
system.
To the right of the input and “PRE OUT” section are
a series of input/ouput connectors for external
communication. From left to right there are two (2)
“SimLink™” connectors labeled “in” and “out” on
1/8” mini jacks. Please refer to the next section
entitled SimLink™ for more details. Next, there’s a
1/8” mini-jack input for use with aftermarket
infrared remote control receivers. Finally, there’s a
full-function bi-directional RS-232 port control and
status for custom integration or automation on a
DB9 connector.
The Nēo 220i is equipped with a pair of gold-plated
binding posts. Connect your speakers, with the
cables of your choice, to the 220i’s speaker binding
posts. Take care to respect the polarity (“+” , “-” )
of the outputs. Once again, don’t hesitate to use
high quality speaker cables*. Poor quality speaker
cables can degrade the overall sonic performance of
your system.
Finally on the far right side is the main power switch
(“0”=off, “1”=on), the IEC receptacle, labeled “AC
Input” for the included AC power cord, and the “AC
Fuse” socket cover. Connect the supplied AC power
cable to the IEC receptacle. Ensure that the AC wall
outlet you use has a functioning ground. For the
best sonic performance, it is preferable that you
plug your 220i directly into a dedicated AC outlet
and avoid using an extension cord. If you have the
time and willingness, consider installing a superior
quality AC wall outlet such as a hospital grade
Hubbell*.
* Please speak with your MOON Authorized Retailer about
the benefits of high quality cables for your system, and
superior quality AC wall outlet.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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10
SimLink™
The SimLink™ provides communication features
between various MOON components. For example,
if you were to connect the 260D to the 220i via the
SimLink™, pressing the X(play) button on the
260D will cause the 220i to automatically switch to
the input labelled ‘CD’. A second feature of
SimLink™ involves the “Standby” function. By
pressing down and holding the “Standby” button for
2 seconds on the either the 260D or 220i, both
units will go into “Standby” mode. The same logic
applies when switching from “Standby” to active
mode.
If you are using the “MiND” Music Streamer and an
external digital-to-analog converter (DAC), you must
make a SimLink™ connection between the “MiND”s
SimLink™ out and the 220i’s SimLink™ in. The ‘Aux’
input is the default input for the “MiND” Music
Streamer; When you press the X(play) button on
the “MiND” App, the 220i will automatically switch
to the input labeled ‘Aux’. You can change these
default settings for the “MiND” as follows: Select the
input that you want as the new default for “MiND”,
then press and hold the “MP” button until the front
panel display begins to flash on and off.
The connection rules for the SimLink™ are very
basic. You must always connect the supplied cable
between one component’s SimLink™ Out jack and
another component’s SimLink™ In jack. If you
inadvertently connect the cable between either two
SimLink™ In or two SimLink™ Out jacks, the
SimLink™ communication feature may not function.
Also, there is no master component in a SimLink™
chain; no one particular component operates as the
main communications controller.
Operating the 220i
We recommend leaving your Nēo 220i powered up
at all times to maintain optimal performance. When
you plan on being away for a few days, it may not
be a bad idea to power off your amplifier. Please
keep in mind that once fully “broken-in”, your 220i
requires several hours of operation before reaching
optimal performance after powering it up again.
Turning on your Nēo 220i for the first time
Prior to turning the amplifier on for the first time,
make sure that every cable is properly connected to
avoid any problems. Flick the main rocker switch,
located on the rear panel, labeled “POWER” to the
‘1’ (on) position. The blue LED on the front panel
will blink for up to 10 seconds while it achieves
standby mode. When it stops blinking and is not
illuminated, your 220i is in standby mode. Next,
briefly press the push button labeled “Standby”
located on the front panel. You will hear a very faint
click sound confirming that everything is in order.
The blue LED on the front panel will illuminate,
indicating that the 220i is now powered up and
ready for use.
On and Off Sequence
To avoid having any annoying noises (ie. “thumps”
and “pops”) emanate from your speakers when
powering your 220i on or off, you should always
power up any source components prior to powering
up your 220i. As well, always power down your
220i prior to powering down any source
components.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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11
Remote Control Operation
The Nēo 220i Integrated Amplifier uses the ‘CRM-2’ full-function remote
control (figure 4). It operates on the Philips RC-5 communication protocol
and is can be used with other Simaudio MOON components.
The ‘CRM-2’ remote uses two AA batteries (included). To install them,
simply slide the back plate off in the direction of the arrow; insert the
batteries in the correct direction and then replace the back plate.
To engage the ‘CRM-2’ remote for use with the Nēo 220i Integrated
Amplifier, you must first press the button labeled AMP.
The POWER button located on the upper left will switch the integrated
amplifier to either ‘Standby’ or ‘On’ mode.
The 2 buttons labelled ◄INPUT ►allow you to sequentially scroll,
either backwards or forwards, through all six (6) available inputs. For
example, to switch from the “CD” to the “VIDEO” input you may press
either ◄INPUT three (3) times or INPUT ►three (3) times.
Pressing and holding down either of these buttons results in only
a single change to the selected input.
The 2 buttons labelled ▼VOL ▲allow you to control the volume level.
Pressing ▼VOL results in a decrease in the volume level; Pressing VOL ▲
results in an increase in the volume level. You may either press and hold
these buttons down or press them briefly to make volume adjustments.
The MUTE button turns off the output volume. Pressing the “Mute” button
a second time will reinstate the output volume level back to its current
setting.
NOTE: The 2 buttons labelled ◄BAL ►and the DISPLAY button don’t
affect the operation of the 220i.
Figure 3: CRM-2
Remote Control

220i Integrated Amplifier
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12
Remote operation with multiple MOON components
Figure 4: Remote Operation with SimLink™
In figure 4 we have a 180 MiND Music Streamer and
a Nēo 220i Integrated Amplifier connected together
via their respective SimLink™ ports. The SimLink™
output on the 180 MiND is connected to the
SimLink™ input on the 220i using a 1/8” mini-jack
cable. When you launch the MiND App on your
Apple smart device (full list on the MiND page of our
website) and select this system’s ZONE, both the
180 MiND and the 220i will turn on. To shut down
the system, press “Off” for this ZONE in the MiND
app.

220i Integrated Amplifier
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13
Specifications
Configuration ................................................ Stereo
Power Supply Transformer .............................. 250VA
Power Supply Capacitance ............................. 20,000µF
Class Of Operation - Amplifier ......................... Class A/B
Single-ended inputs ........................................ 5 (RCA)
Mini-jack input ............................................... 1 (1/8”)
Input Sensitivity ............................................ 370mV – 3.0V RMS
Input Impedance .......................................... 11,000Ω
Preamplifier output ........................................ 1 (RCA)
Headphone output........................................... 1 ( 1/4” Strereo TRS)
Output Device Type - Amplifier ........................ Bipolar
Output Power @ 8Ω....................................... 40 Watts per channel
Output Power @ 4Ω....................................... 80 Watts per channel
Output Impedance ......................................... 0.04Ω
Damping Factor ............................................. > 200
Gain .............................................................. 34dB
Dynamic Headroom ........................................ 3dB
Signal-to-noise Ratio ..................................... 101dB @ full power
Maximum Output Voltage ................................ 20 Volts
Slew Rate ...................................................... 20V/µs
Maximum Current – Peak ............................... 14 amperes
Maximum Current – Continuous ...................... 8 amperes
Frequency Response ...................................... 10Hz - 100kHz +0/-3dB
Crosstalk @ 1kHz .......................................... -78dB
Intermodulation Distortion ............................. < 0.07%
THD (20Hz - 20kHz @ 1 watt) ....................... < 0.015%
THD (20Hz - 20kHz @ 50 watts) .................... < 0.03%
Remote Control ............................................. Full-Function (CRM-2)
AC Power Requirements ................................. 120V / 60Hz or 240V / 50Hz
Shipping Weight ............................................ 20 lbs / 8 Kgs
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches) ..................... 16.9 x 3.5 x 14.4
NOTE: If you require the RS-232 codes for your Nēo 220i,please contact Simaudio Ltd.
directly by either email ([email protected]) or by toll-free telephone [phone]).
Fuse Replacement: For the 120V version use a 4A fast blow (3AG size).
For the 220 - 240V version use a 2A fast blow (3AG size).