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Moon Nova or Eclipse?

I recently purchased a new pair of Legacy Focus speakers that I run with a Moon I5, AQ Diamondback IC, and AQ Mammoth speaker cables. I'm in love so far, but my need for a new source was laid bare almost immediately. My initial plan was a Nova and then a W3 or W5 amp when money allows. My local dealer has only the Eclipse on display, and told me the Nova was a waste of time. The Eclipse does sound wonderful, but I left confused since I have read many positive reviews on the Nova. Has anyone AB'd the two and found the Nova to be that bad? I'm wondering because I can get the Nova and W3 for a little more than the Eclipse.
Also, is it a horrible idea to biamp with amps of different power outputs? I'm wondering if the I5 on top and a W3 on the bottom makes sense. Thanks.
mthieme
jlamb
150 posts
 
For your dealer to call the Nova a 'waste of time' reflects more on him than on the Nova. Reminds me of those guys at the airport car rental terminals, who are always trying to get me to upgrade.
By the way, I run my I5 with a Jupiter2000 and am very happy with the results; although I do have my eye on the Nova when the current cash crunch subsides!
mthieme OP
74 posts
 
I felt the same way, I can't afford the Cadillac, and that doesnt make the Chevy a waste of time.
sonicbeauty
324 posts
 
Hello,

I am a past owner of two SIM I-5 integrateds ( didn't learn the first time around) and I honestly feel that this ''house sound'' that the SIM have is faulty to begin with. I tried desperately to match the I-5 with a host of speakers and cd players - I always had this exagerated bass, thin-sounding midrange and dry overall sound. I wish I had a kinder way of saying this - but I feel that Sim amplification often is the limiting factor. Nice cosmetics, but way overrated sonically speaking. Pop in a small electrocompaniet EC-3 integrated instead of the I-5, and watch a world of neutrality and flexibility open-up. I do not own this amp any longer, but it followed my two I-5's and it's no contest in this price range at least. As for the W3, why would you want more of the same?

Regards,
Mike
mthieme OP
74 posts
 
It's interesting you should say that, because I've always thought Sim had a house sound more on the warm side, and the Moon systems I've heard always impressed me as having a full midrange and detailed highs. As for the W3, I thought some more power might yeild better, more controlled bass. The Focus 2020 have 3 12" woofers each, and although they are highly efficient thats still alot of cone to move.(maybe I'm wrong in that conclusion, but the experimentation is half the fun). 95db sensitivity, 4 ohms ,10-600wpc leaves a huge window of choices, and I'm not locked on any particular amp, but the source is next on my to do list
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
I have very limited experience w/ the Sim Audio Nova - my friend just bought a brand new unit 3 weeks ago. He's burning it in for 1000 hrs (he got this # from speaking to other Nova owners. Sim Audio told him 500 hrs, BTW). I have listened to the Nova in his system (Audio Research SP-6A pre, BelCanto SET40 & ExcelArray speakers) & from whatever I heard, the Nova sounds very nice indeed! His system is SET-based which imparts a certain midrange quality so it very hard for an outsider like me to quantify the Nova. After the 1000 hrs burn-in, he is supposed to bring the Nova to my house & we'll listen to it in my system. I'll be better able to quantify it then as I know my system better.

However, even with this limited experience, I can say that the Nova IS NOT a waste of time!
From whatever I have *READ*, the Moon Equinox is a waste of time!
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