Experience with Moon by Simaudio amps & preamps

I owned a Sim Moon 650D DAC/CD for many years. I added a 820 power supply which doubled the cost, but also significantly improved the noise floor and overall presentation. I did not buy the 750D because it was clear it would be too revealing and harsh. Most of this time I owned Sonus Faber Olympica 3. My amp was a Pass x350.. with a Audio Reseach REF 5SE preamp. I did lots of analysis of my system and realized while it was very detailed, it was too harsh and not musical enough.

I ended up moving piece by piece to all tube gear. Each step moved me towards a more musical system with much better bass and details in a natural balance... like live music.

If you like Mac… and many people do. The fact that you like music loud (I listen at ~70db)… especially if it is rock, then MacIntosh may be your solution. Personally I am not a MAC fan. Too little detail and too bass heavy. But that is a personal preference. So, maybe look at upgrading in the MacIntosh family. Although you are looking for more detail… so Mac might not be your ticket.

You seem to be looking for higher resolution and very natural sound across the spectrum, maybe look at a used high end Audio Research preamp… then save up for a ARC amp. There are two camps that are strong with the Sonus Faber speaker… Mac and Audio Research. They are completely different camps. I would recommend finding a dealer that carries these and listen to an all Mac system and an all Audio Research system… see which one moves you. If none are nearby… take a trip… call up a couple dealers, make appointments, have them set up a system for you.

Looking at your system and post… you are at a crossroads… the next step is really important. You need a clear vision of where you want to go. I really doubt Sim Moon is it.

@ghdprentice Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.

I was listening to an all Mac system and did an A/B comparison starting with Moon amp and then preamp using my sources.  

• I preferred the sound of the Moon amp to the MC 462 with the Mac preamp because of the additional details.
• I preferred the Moon preamp/amp combo to the Mac preamp with Moon amps because of the lower sound floor.  

I wasn't expecting to hear such a big difference in sound characteristics - it was like a veil was lifted.

Audio Research makes some great gear at significant increase in price as well as necessitating a separate phono stage.

Moon harsh? First time I have ever heard those two words in the same sentence when discussing Simaudio.
Get the 390, 330 and be done or just go valves.
Had the 390 and 330 for a couple of years and loved it but went to valves.

Roger Sanders Magtech!

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