Buy a Simaudio Moon 390 or wait for a Bryaston BR-20

I have owed a SimAudio Moon 390 for about 3 weeks. I currently have it connected as a preamp to an old system with a McCormack DNA-1 amp. Using Joseph Audio RM 22si speakers. 

The 390 is running as a Roon end point.

My initial testing showed that the music was not very engaging and seemed very laid back. Not quite what I was looking for. While I continued to listen over about 2 weeks the sound did not get better. 

Then I received new Synergistic Research cables and put them in to give them a try. The entire sound changed. The sound is now very engaging with a very focused soundstage. The 390 is very detailed and transparent. The 390 is a high quality digital product in this setup.

In another week I should have the 390 connected as the front end for new Dutch & Dutch 8C's active speakers. I will report back after I receive the new speakers. The 8C's are supposed to be truly transparent speakers. They should reveal the character of the 390 much better than the Joseph Audio speakers I am now using.

Wow, that's great info on the cables, thanks for chiming in! Sounds like the 390 might work with my Katana's after all. Please do get back with your future impressions of the 390 with the 8C's.

I was advised to maybe look at a Rogue RP7 which is a tube pre without streaming and Dac. I've also been looking at an Audio Research Reference 6 on the used market. It's possible I may end up going with a tube preamp.
 
It's such a hard call to make and a lot of money to spend, I'd hate to bring something home only to find out it was a lateral move, or worse, it doesn't sound as good as what I have now.

Just to update my post here. I ended up going with a new Rogue RP7 which was a few months away and is now in my system and sounding fantastic. I'm 100% satisfied with it.

On the digital front end, I purchased an Antipodes Core server as well as an OpticalRendu. This now feeds a Chord Cutest DAC. Streaming Tidal via Roon.

This has led me to a much more smooth and engaging sound that I have been thoroughly enjoying. 

Thanks to those that posted suggestions, certainly was solid advice that is much appreciated.

Cheers

Moon 390 is a fantastic pre-amp streamer, phono pre.

I had one for a year along with 330A's run in mono.

To keep peace at home I downsized to the 340i then the 600v2. Now moved to all tube and will not look back. The 390 is a great piece of kit and lives up to all the hype. I am sure the Bryston is nice. Not a Parasound guy at ALL.