Description: Solid-state, two-channel, two-chassis preamplifier. Inputs: 3 pairs balanced (XLR), 4 pairs single-ended (RCA). Outputs: 2 pairs balanced (XLR), 2 pairs unbalanced (RCA, fixed and variable). Tape input/output loops: 1 pair unbalanced (RCA). Input impedance: 11k ohms. Output impedance: 50 ohms. Voltage gain: 9dB. Frequency response: 5Hz–100kHz, +0/–0.1dB. IM distortion: unmeasurable. THD: <0.002%, 20Hz–20kHz. Signal/noise ratio: 130dB, 20Hz–20kHz, ref. full output. Maximum output: 12V balanced, 6V unbalanced.
Dimensions: Preamplifier: 18.75" (…
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Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Sony XA-777ES SACD/CD player, Bel Canto PL-1A universal player.
Preamplifier: Bel Canto Pre6.
Power Amplifiers: Bel Canto eVo6 & Ref1000, Classé CA-3200, Simaudio Moon Evolution W-8.
Loudspeakers: B&W 802D, Revel Ultima Studio, JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofer.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect: Crystal Cable Cinemax multichannel, AudioQuest Cheetah/DBS balanced. Speaker: AudioQuest Mont Blanc/DBS biwire. AC: JPS Aluminata.
Accessories: APC S-15, Environmental Potentials EP-2450 power conditioners.—Kalman…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As set up for Kal's auditioning, the Moon P-8's maximum voltage gain was lower than the specified 9dB, at 5.33dB for both balanced–balanced and unbalanced–unbalanced operation, though this won't be a factor in practical use. The preamplifier preserved absolute polarity—ie, it was noninverting in both conditions—the XLR jacks being wired with pin 2 hot, the AES-recommended practice. The input impedance was to specification at low and midrange frequencies, at 11k ohms single-ended and 22k ohms balanced, though this dropped to a rather low 4.3k and 9.7k ohms,…
John Atkinson wrote about the Moon Evolution P-8 in September 2009 (Vol.32 No.9):
Back in March, I reviewed the Moon Evolution P-7 preamplifier ($6900) from Canadian manufacturer Simaudio. As you can read in the reprint of that review in our free online archives, I very much enjoyed my time with the P-7: "Beautifully made, beautiful looking, and beautiful sounding, the Moon Evolution P-7 justifiably deserves a Class A recommendation in Stereophile's 'Recommended Components.'" I also wrote that I would soon turn my attention to Simaudio's Moon Evolution P-8 dual-chassis preamplifier, but…
Sidebar: JA's Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xeMP universal player; Meridian 808i.2 CD player; dCS Puccini SACD player; Benchmark DAC 1 D/A converter; Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter WiFi music player with Apple Mac mini for media storage; dCS 972 D/D converter.
Preamplifiers: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-7, Parasound Halo JC 2, Mark Levinson No.380S.
Power Amplifiers: Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7, Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima Salon2, PSB Imagine B, Spendor SA-1, Acoustic Energy AE1 Mk.3 Special Edition.
Cables:…
Wes Phillips on the Sessions
One of the enduring myths of audiophilia is that of the recording as a true and honest picture of a musical event—a sonic "snapshot" that captures a unique moment of time the way a photograph captures the light of a day long since past.
One of the enduring myths of audiophilia is that of the recording as a true and honest picture of a musical event—a sonic "snapshot" that captures a unique moment of time the way a photograph captures the light of a day long since past.
This is not to say that recording can't capture the magic of a musical event, or freeze a particular musical moment for all eternity, of course. We all have discs that transport us to what we think of as a single instant when the muses supped among us—such moments are what make audiophiles. Our search for more of…
At 1:06pm, almost precisely on schedule, we slated take 1 of "Shenandoah." At 1:44pm, in the middle of take 11, we heard the first pile driver through the omnidirectional mikes, with their extended low end. It goes without saying that the next song scheduled for recording was Sting's quiet "Valparaiso." "You can filter that out," Erick said to JA, "can't you?"
"No problem," said John through clenched teeth. That's another part of recording strategy, at least as taught by John Atkinson: The musicians must never know that what they are asking is impossible. They make the music; the…
John Atkinson on Capturing the Sound
As I had recorded Cantus in the Washington Pavilion's Great Hall in Sioux Falls back in 2003, for the group's Deep River CD, I had a good idea of where I was going to place the three distant microphone pairs for my main pickup. An almost coincident ORTF-arranged pair of DPA cardioids would capture the soundstage, a wide-spaced pair of Earthworks omnidirectionals would add bloom and spaciousness, and a more distant pair of high-voltage DPA omnis, mounted either side of a Jecklin Disc from Coresound and fitted with their special acoustic equalizers,…
As I had recorded Cantus in the Washington Pavilion's Great Hall in Sioux Falls back in 2003, for the group's Deep River CD, I had a good idea of where I was going to place the three distant microphone pairs for my main pickup. An almost coincident ORTF-arranged pair of DPA cardioids would capture the soundstage, a wide-spaced pair of Earthworks omnidirectionals would add bloom and spaciousness, and a more distant pair of high-voltage DPA omnis, mounted either side of a Jecklin Disc from Coresound and fitted with their special acoustic equalizers,…
The hum problem that developed on Day Two of recording turned out to be due to a voltage regulator going bad in the power supply of the other HV3B, which was being used to amplify the cardioids. The problem was terminal, so as the tubed Forssell M2a didn't have low enough noise to be used for the distant mikes and my Earthworks preamp was a single-channel unit, I used the working HV3B for the cardioids and replaced it with a DPA unit to power the high-voltage omnis. Like the Millennia, this supplies the necessary 130V to the mikes but has a fixed gain of 20dB rather than the Millennia's…
Sidebar 1: There Lies The Music
"Sea Fever" Amy Beach (1931) 3:04
Words by John Masefield
with Charles Kemper, piano
"Break, Break, Break"* Brian Arreola (1998) 2:41
Words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
with Mira Frisch, cello
Songs of the Sea, Op.91 Charles Villiers Stanford (1904)
Words by Henry Newbolt; Kelvin Chan,
solo baritone; with Charles Kemper, piano
"Drake's…
There Lies the Home Track Listing Total Time: 70:23 "Prelude (Before Dawn)"* Edie Hill (2005) 1:16
"Sea Fever" Amy Beach (1931) 3:04
Words by John Masefield
with Charles Kemper, piano
"Break, Break, Break"* Brian Arreola (1998) 2:41
Words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
with Mira Frisch, cello
Songs of the Sea, Op.91 Charles Villiers Stanford (1904)
Words by Henry Newbolt; Kelvin Chan,
solo baritone; with Charles Kemper, piano
"Drake's…