Digital Processor Reviews

Moon 891 streaming preamplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: One-piece network player/D/A processor/analog preamplifier with phono stage, BRM-1 intelligent remote control, and built-in Moon damping base. Integration: Roon Ready, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, local media servers. Streaming services: Qobuz, HighRes Audio, Deezer, and Tidal. Digital inputs: HDMI with ARC for TV, AES3, S/PDIF (2), optical (TosLink) (2); USB Audio, USB (type-A) host, network/RJ45 (2). DAC decodes PCM and MQA up to 32/384, upconverting 24-bit to 32-bit, and DSD up to DSD256. Analog inputs: two pairs line RCA (single-ended), one of which can be used as a phono input, 1 pair line XLR (balanced). 12V trigger input. Analog outputs: 1 pair RCA (single-ended), 1 pair XLR (balanced). Connectors for Moon 820S external power supply. Analog input impedance: 22k ohms. Maximum gain (line inputs): 13.5dB. Phono input gain: 40, 45, 60, and 66dB. Phono input capacitance: 0/100pF/470pF. Phono input impedance: 10 ohms, 100 ohms, 1k ohm, 47k ohms. Output impedance: 50 ohms. Frequency response: 2Hz–200kHz, +0dB/–3dB. Crosstalk: –125dB. S/N ratio (preamplifier): 125dB. Dynamic range (digital input, fixed output): 125dB. THD+N: 0.0003%. IMD: 0.00006%. Power consumption (idle): 25W. Power consumption (full power standby): 22W. Power consumption (low power standby): 5W.
Dimensions: 18.95" (481mm) W × 5.53" (140mm) H × 17.66" (449mm) D. Weight: 49lb (22kg). Shipping weight: 54lb (25kg).
Finish: Two-tone silver/black.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 310A22426042 (auditioning), 310A22426340 (measuring). Manufactured in Canada.
Price: $25,000. Approximate number of dealers: 59 US, 97 North America. Warranty: 10 years, parts & labor (with registration).
Manufacturer: Simaudio Ltd., 1345 Newton Rd., Boucherville, Quebec, J4B 5H2, Canada. Tel: (450) 449-2212. Web: simaudio.com.

COMPANY INFO
Simaudio Ltd.
1345 Newton Rd.
Boucherville, Quebec, J4B 5H2
Canada
(450) 449-2212
simaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
PeterG's picture
Submitted by PeterG on January 3, 2025 - 8:50am

Great review, sounds like a super low real estate solution. Please advise on the QKore6--how do you allocate your 8 boxes across its 6 inputs? Thanks

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on January 3, 2025 - 2:23pm

The Nordost QKore, which comes in three iterations, is a passive grounding device. At this point, I only connect it to one of my components. But that may change down the line after I make modifications to my room treatment. Please check out the explanation on their website.

PeterG's picture
Submitted by PeterG on January 4, 2025 - 1:49pm

Thanks, Jason. I should have been more clear. I have a QKore 6 and a QBase already. They are terrific, but I am sometimes capacity constrained with the QKore able to handle only 5 components in addition to the QBase. As you mentioned 8 boxes and only one QKore, I was thinking you had a way to increase the single QKore capacity with Y cables or similar.

Of course, now I wonder why you have not plugged in 5 of the components, and why room treatments would change the value of passive grounding? I have not checked each of my components in isolation for QKore effect, and (due to spouse acceptance factor) I do not have room treatments. But a couple of times while reconfiguring wires in general, QKore wires have come undone and there was an immediate change in sound.

Cheers

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on January 3, 2025 - 12:47pm

... sufficient satisfaction listening to music via the $ 5,499 "superb" NAD M66, or would using the $25K "state-of-the-art" Moon 891 result in five times the enjoyment, even though the 891 lacks a room correction function?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-m66-streaming-preamplifier

snowbuffalo's picture
Submitted by snowbuffalo on January 4, 2025 - 7:01pm

My thoughts precisely, as the similarly full-featured NAD measures well and has met with positive listening reviews. The room correction software would be the killer feature for me, as my listening space is less than perfect (as most people’s is). The Moon gear looks fantastic, but I have to think the NAD is within reach of many more readers without unlimited budgets.

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on January 7, 2025 - 7:56pm

A/B vs. D. Moon 891 made in Canada vs. NAD Made in China. A 50 lb. Moon vs. a 16.7 lb NAD. I would say that the NAD may sound really nice FOR THE MONEY, but someone with Jason's ability to differentiate and hear nuance (in music as well as audio) would hear the difference. Build quality, quality of parts and amplifier technology. This is not a knock on NAD equipment which has always punched above its weight. Impossible to say whether it's worth 5x the amount. It is worth that to the person that wants it and can pay for it and hear the difference. I stand by the belief that Jason would feel it was worth it because one would sound better. Superb measurements are not the final arbiter as we all know.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on January 8, 2025 - 2:50pm

... Moon preamp versus those in the NAD?
What percentage of the electronic components in the Moon preamp are made in Canada?

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on January 8, 2025 - 3:04pm

But we are talking about Canadian labor and something that is not mass produced and an artisanal product. The MOON weighs 3 times as much so if you are paying by the pound it is worth it (joke.)Honestly I don’t have too much invested in this discussion but it does seem like one product is more robustly constructed. But then again, all the people who love their featherweight class D watt monsters would say that doesn’t matter. Everyone’s mileage may vary.

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