Simaudio/MOON

This company has just added new models that speak to the needs of music lovers at both ends of the price spectrum. The new 250i V2 is a purely analog integrated amplifier at the affordable price of $2400 while the new North Collection is comprised of several models for those who want unrestricted access to the best sound that money can buy. The MOON 641 integrated amplifier comes in at $11,000, the MOON 681 network player/DAC is available at $12,000, the MOON 791 preamplifier/network player is priced at $16,000, and its big brother, the MOON 891 is $26,000. The MOON 761 stereo power amplifier is $14,000 and it's big brother, the MOON 861, goes for $22,000.

The MOON 250i v2 is a classic analog design that delivers renowned MOON audio performance at an outstanding value. Turntables connect directly to the 250i v2 without the need for an outboard phono preamplifier for natural and precise vinyl replay. The upgraded circuit design provides an improvement in sound quality over the original 250i. The 250i v2 offers both smooth musical authority and a classical design. It's a great introduction to just how musical and engaging properly-designed solid state amplification can be. Seminal features include:

• 6 line-level inputs including a front-mounted 1/8” mini-jack for personal media players
• Moving magnet Phono Stage
• Headphone output located on the front panel
• Precision matched proprietary MOON Bipolar output transistors for improved bass response and accurate sonic reproduction
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• Low operating temperature for an ultra-long life expectancy
• Rigid chassis construction to minimize the effects of external vibrations
• 50 Watts/channel of output power into 8 Ohms, 100 Watts/channel into 4 Ohms.

The North Collection represents the culmination of years of research and development in the fields of audio, electronics, materials, and manufacturing processes. Its exciting new look is surpassed only by improvements in performance made possible by the team of Simaudio engineers and technicians dedicated to delivering an uncompromised music listening experience. The MOON 641 integrated amplifier will be the centerpiece of any audio system, housing a preamplifier and a power amplifier in a chassis. This thrilling entry point to the North Collection is a truly stunning integrated amplifier showcasing premium MOON design and the latest audio technologies. It delivers 125 Watts/channel into 8 Ohms and an impressive 250 Watts/channel into 4 Ohms. (Whenever you see that an amplifier's power exactly doubles into 4 Ohms, you may be certain that it has an uncompromised power supply design.) This product benefits from trickle-down technologies from the top MOON models and the stunning North Collection style . Some of its features include:

• MDCA - MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier
• MOON transistors
• Dual mono configuration for perfect stereo separation
• The VOL3 3rd generation improved electronic gain control
• 4.3'' LCD Color Graphic Display

The feature-rich MOON 681 draws upon stunning MOON design and advanced digital audio technologies to deliver a fabulous experience with integrated amplifiers such as the 641 and to serve as a complete digital front end to any analog amplifier. It provides a complete and comprehensive digital front end with its MiND2 network player, MDE1 digital engine, and MHV volume control for accuracy and versatility. Its most salient features include:

• 6 digital inputs
• 1 HDMI with ARC
• MiND2 streaming module
• MDE-1 DAC Technology
• MHV MOON Hybrid Volume Control
• Fully-balanced configuration
• 4.3-inch graphic color display
• BRM-1 intelligent remote control

The MOON 791 is much more than a preamplifier. It combines a high-end phono stage and a streaming DAC in a state-of-the-art analog preamplifier. This makes it a multifaceted, totally flexible front-end unit that combines digital and analog versatility in a single chassis. You also get the convenience of the BRM-1 intelligent remote control and a vivid display, along with the superiority of the MDE2 digital engine and M-VOL3 volume control in a world-class preamplifier. Some of its most important features include:

• 6 Digital Inputs
• 1 HDMI with ARC
• 3 Analog Inputs
• moving magnet/moving coil phono stage
• MiND2 streaming module
• MDE-2 DAC technology
• M-VOL3 volume control
• Fully-balanced configuration
• 4.3-inch graphic color display
• BRM-1 intelligent remote control

The MOON 891 preamplifier/network player is the keystone of the North Collection, bringing together levels of performance, features, and construction never available before. Cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading performance are combined in a preamplifier that pushes the envelope of sonic/visual excellence. From the MiND network player, the integrated phono stage, the split-second precision of the MDE3 digital engine, and the astoundingly-silent M-RAY2 volume control to the impeccable isolation of the MDB gel suspension, there is nothing else like it. Highlights of its design include:

• 6 Digital Inputs
• 1 HDMI with ARC
• 3 Analog Inputs
• Moving magnet/moving coil phono stage
• MiND2 streaming module
• MDE-3 DAC technology
• M-Ray2 volume control
• MDB MOON damping base
• 5-inch graphic color display
• BRM-1 intelligent remote control

Of course, features do not tell the whole story. This model has a wealth of hyper-advanced engineering and premium parts that are only found in MOON's very top models.

The MOON 761 has one job to perform, and it performs it with authority and finesse. This power amplifier effortlessly delivers both delicate and bombastic audio signals from a preamplifier to loudspeakers with absolute transparency and finesse. The transparency, accuracy, and smoothness of the no-global-feedback MDCA circuit delivers a rich performance on an astonishingly deep soundstage. Its 200 Watts/channel (400 Watts/channel into 4 Ohms) easily control the most demanding loudspeakers. With the flip of a switch, you can convert the 761 into a mono-block behemoth that delivers 600 Watts into 8 Ohms! Just add a second unit for the other channel, and you'll be bursting with clean, delicious power. Features of note include:

And here it is, the very top of the North Collection. The MOON 861 is a power amplifier with the pedigree of the distinguished MOON 888 and the holistic design philosophy of the North Collection. Years of R&D work to perfect the MDCA circuit has given all of us a product that resolves every detail and which reveals the most realistic presentation without the use of global feedback. With the dynamic potential of a power supply with two 1500-Watt transformers and 228000 microFarads of capacitance, this is a formidable amplifier that effortlessly generates 300 Watts/channel into 8 Ohms. (It also thunders out 600 Watts/channel into 4 Ohms and 800 Watts when configured as a mono-block.) Features include:

• MDCA - MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier
• No global feedback design
• MOON transistors
• Dual mono configuration
• Mono-block mode toggle switch
• Multicolor LED indicator

And, once again, features do not tell the whole story. This model has a wealth of hyper-advanced engineering and premium parts that are only found in MOON's very top models.