AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Simaudio Moon

Simaudio Moon High End Audiophile Amplifiers and Sound

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-21-2013, 09:21 PM
merkinman merkinman is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 65
Default Simaudio

Anyone have any experience with Simaudio amps. I'm curious as to how the sound compares to other solid state amps. Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-21-2013, 09:24 PM
Masterlu's Avatar
Masterlu Masterlu is online now
AA Founder, Legend AV Owner



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South FL & Cape Cod MA
Posts: 78,484
Default

Simaudio/Moon makes some really fine gear. I had a tough time deciding whether to do a Simaudio or Esoteric system.
__________________
Ivan
FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-21-2013, 09:26 PM
cmalak's Avatar
cmalak cmalak is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,602
Default

I lived with the Simaudio i-7 integrated amp and then the P-7 pre and W-7 power amp for about a week each and I really liked them both with my Thiel 2.4s. I decided to go with my current Audio Research electronics but the Simaudio was excellent and I could easily have chosen either the integrated or the separates. They are very resolving, tonally neutral and well balanced, and can deliver quite a wide macro dynamic envelope. Just very solid and very musical SS amps. If your musical tastes lean towards the lush then these are not for you unless you pair them up with lush sounding speakers (like older gen Sonus Faber speakers for example) but if you are seeking a modern, musical and neutral sound, then Simaudio is right up there.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-22-2013, 09:13 AM
VT Skier VT Skier is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mad River Valley
Posts: 421
Default

I rank Simaudio just below the very best of solid state, like Soulution, Boulder, maybe one or two others. I bought Sim because I thought it offered the best performance for the price. Although Sim has raised their prices so much that gap has narrowed.

The 600i and 700i are tremendous values compared to the cost of comparable separates.

Last edited by VT Skier; 01-22-2013 at 09:15 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-22-2013, 08:30 PM
merkinman merkinman is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 65
Default

Would you guys consider it a musical amp with good harmonics?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-22-2013, 09:56 PM
bzr bzr is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hunter Valley Australia.
Posts: 2,492
Default

The P-7 pre that I had "in my opinion" was neutral in tone to just a touch on the warm side & also very accurate to the recording as in not colouring the music. It certainly did not restrain the flow of the music or hinder the harmonics to my notice.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:54 AM
VT Skier VT Skier is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mad River Valley
Posts: 421
Default

I think bzr is spot on, and I'm not sure I would call Sim "musical". For me, the audio world seems to be either neutral (Soulution) or euphonic (older McIntosh), although most brands seem to be moving closer to neutrality (newer McIntosh).

If by "musical" you mean euphonic, I'm not sure Sim qualifies. Although it would definitely be warmer than Boulder or Soulution. You'd have to list the other SS gear you are considering as it becomes a question of relativity. And synergy with your speakers will be the most important part of the equation. I like Sim, particularly as a value proposition, but it certainly won't be the best choice for every speaker or every room.

Last edited by VT Skier; 01-23-2013 at 09:57 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-12-2013, 02:33 PM
vandenplass vandenplass is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by merkinman View Post
Anyone have any experience with Simaudio amps. I'm curious as to how the sound compares to other solid state amps. Thanks in advance.
Before I shifted to Moon P8 and W8 I listened to EAR, Naim 135, Pass, Musical Fidelity M3. I definitely bought the Moon combo. Moon are very happy with Dynaudio by the way.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-23-2013, 09:09 PM
Boom Boom Boom Boom is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 55
Default

"Would you guys consider it a musical amp with good harmonics?"

Too many high end transistor amps fit this description. Simaudio does too.

"I'm curious as to how the sound compares to other solid state amps."

This is too hard to describe not knowing what other solid state amps you have spent extended listening to and are familiar with. The sound will also vary depending on what loudspeakers you are driving.

Simaudio sounds like fully balanced zero-feedback designs. The sound reminds me of Ayre amplifiers. I own the Moon W-5. The sound is spacious, airy, articulate, fast, detailed, very good driver control with cone type loudspeakers. They made the Bel Canto sound thin. They don't have the absolute grip and sound textures from bass control compared to Krell or (traditional power supply) Levinson. Simaudio I found more dynamic than the McIntosh and perhaps not as warm. They sound different from the Pass labs. The preamp you are using will also influence your results.

The musical fidelity and ARC amps I have heard, most have been tube transistor hybrids. I don't consider them to be solid state. It's been too long since I've heard Boulder amps, and their stuff has evolved.

The newer Simaudio amps have gotten quieter with blacker backgrounds but also the prices have escalated. Much to do with the plummeting American dollar against the Canadian dollar.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:15 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video