Experience with Simaudio Moon North amps

I've only heard the 761 in stereo, two systems paired with the 791:

• Sonus Faber Amanti
• Wilson Watt Puppy

I have been impressed by the 761 - detail, finesse and dynamics.  Given the price difference between the 761 and 861 and the physical difference I would want to audition 861 in stereo versus 761 in mono.

I have had the 761 stereo amp for several weeks now; I’m pairing it with the 791. It’s powering Opera Callas Diva speakers (also handmade in Italy). I can’t say enough about this amp. I love it. I don’t see how you could go wrong with the partnering equipment you have listed. Octave preamp output impedance is low enough to not cause any problems with either Moon North amp. The clarity, dynamics, and reference level performance of the 761 or 891 will let your source components shine and very likely bring out the very best from Sonus Faber speakers. You may have to dial things in to your specific tastes with cables, but again I think you are on a good path. For what it’s worth, a single 761 in stereo mode packs a punch. It’s rated to 400 wpc continuous into 4 ohms. Assuming you have a massive room and like to play at party levels for wanting to consider mono blocks.
Happy Hunting!

Thanks to you both. I used a moon 390 for several years and have a moon phono stage. I’ve been very pleased with simaudio products But have not had a chance to hear anything from the new north collection.

The primary reason I would consider mono is to maybe get a little improvement in the soundstage, but the amp certainly has plenty of power. Happy to hear the positive review.

@kerrybh My two cents: If your room is optimized acoustically, meaning optimal speaker / listening chair placement and (possibly) necessary acoustic treatment, like absorbers, diffusors, and bass traps you might benefit from the mono-block topology for theoretically increased soundstage/image. If you consider the crosstalk specs of the 761 or 861 stereo amps, both better than -115 dB, and superlative SNR figures, on paper at least, it begs the question of HOW can mono-blocks render different soundstage. The conventional 'wisdom' is that mono config might yield better soundstage but I doubt it would be night and day, and to unlock the full potential, all the other acoustic parameters should be addressed. Maybe it comes down to the extra current and power on tap, and that monos each work less, which possibly manifests a different stage. These days i'm aiming for simpler setups, hence a stereo amp. I am sure though either way you would be SUPER happy with the North Amps.