2. amps-preamps
  3. 185823-1604

SimAudio Moon North Collection

Anyone thinking about buying an amp from the North Collection?

I heard the 860A v1 and enjoyed it. With the new lineup there will be a some 860A v2’s coming up for sale. I am considering the older models and the North Collection. The 860A v1 was surprising good even with the sort of hot Paradigm Persona I demoed it with.

I was thinking at one time of buying 2 Benchmark AHB2 monos to drive the not so difficult to drive and slightly warm Yamaha NS5000’s. A neutral amp like the AHB2 would be great (I owned the AHB2 before) however, I think the 12-inch woofers will unfortunately not be best served by AHB2.

I am using my CODA #16 with the NS5000 right now and I can see where lots of power makes those woofers shine. So I am looking for another amp that is a bit more neutral to use with the NS5000. I can then move the CODA #16 to my Magnepan LRS+. I put these together temporarily in my office to keep the amp safe from my guests (kids). Unfortunately, I love this combo too much now to break it apart.

I am looking for some powerful and neutral sounding amps for the NS5000. I read up on the Classe Delta but that fan is a bit of a deterrent. I am testing out a Class D Peachtree GAN400 with it but it does not have that great bass like the CODA #16. Class D so far has not impressed me on the bottom end as Class A and AB amps I have owned.

So as of now, the SimAudio gear seems like to the top of the heap, and the price is already a bit over what I want to spend. I will just have to work a little longer.

Any other amps with a neutral signature that I should consider?

My preamps are Benchmark LA4 and Holo Serene. The LA4 will stay with the NS5000 system. Both do not seem to add to the signal. 

yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,871 posts
 

Simaudio Moon 891 Streaming Preamplifier (soundstageultra.com)

merland100
12 posts
 

I am not sure what that review is telling me. It is very detailed and makes the premium 8 Series Moon North product sound like a value proposition relative to the older more expensive T&A comparison gear and roughly a draw on sound quality. I don’t think that is the intended positioning of this Moon product which is supposed to be at the leading edge and probably sounds best with its partner Moon 861 amp. 

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,871 posts
 

The T+A top end line and the North Collection do not sound similar at all. At the opposite ends of the sonic spectrum for me. I prefer the North Collection over the T+A.

merland100
12 posts
 

That is interesting. I have not heard the T + A but my Moon North 891/861 combination sounds utterly amazing. I cannot imagine a better sound. It even makes lesser quality recordings sound extremely engaging.  It allows the subtle vibrations of sound to be easily heard which makes the music lifelike, along with transparency and excellent dynamics aided by a dead quiet background.

merland100
12 posts
 

More completely, the reviewer’s reference system included Classe Audio Delta Monoblocs, Audio Research Reference 6SE, and a T + A MP 3100 HP DAC, and only reviewed the Moon North 891. A lot of good details on the comparison but wish the review included the 861. My dealer says the synergy of the North 891/861 combination produces an amazing result. My experience would agree with that. 

More to discover