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Power amplifiers stereo — Moon by Simaudio 461
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Moon by Simaudio 461
Image source — © Moon by Simaudio
Simaudio of Canada places the MOON 461 two-channel power amplifier in its Compass Collection. Its topology is MDCA, the MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier developed in house to lower distortion and improve linearity, and uses no global feedback. The US starting price is USD 5,000, and the unit is covered by a 10-year warranty.
Key specs that matter
Rated output is 150 W per channel into 8 ohm and 300 W per channel into 4 ohm, which is a straight doubling at half the impedance. Bridged into mono, one 461 delivers 450 W into 8 ohm. Input sensitivity is 1 V, input impedance is 22 kOhm and gain is 31 dB. Simaudio lists frequency response as 2 Hz to 100 kHz at +0/-3 dB. THD+N is 0.005% at 1 W and 0.003% at 150 W, intermodulation distortion is 0.005%, signal to noise ratio is 114 dB, crosstalk is -114 dB and damping factor is 425. The chassis measures 42.9 x 8.7 x 36.8 cm and has a shipping weight of 11 kg.
Engineering and use context
The 461 follows a dual-mono layout in which each channel draws on its own MOON Hybrid Power supply module, a proprietary design intended to give stable, low-noise, high-current delivery. A rear-panel switch selects between three operating modes - stereo, bridged mono and bi-amping mono - so the same unit can drive one pair of speakers, a single speaker at higher power, or both sections of one bi-wirable speaker from separate channels. Idle consumption is 35 W, full power standby draws 34 W and low power standby drops to 1 W. MOONLink dual Ethernet ports let the amplifier communicate with other MOON components, while a USB socket serves for maintenance. The side cheeks are bead-blasted aluminium in black or silver. The box includes a quick start guide, an AC power cable, a spare fast-blow fuse, a MOONLink cable and warranty registration information.
Pairing
With its sensitive input, rated power is available from any line-level preamplifier or streamer with volume control, and the input impedance suits both solid-state and valve preamps. Owners who later want more power for a pair of demanding speakers can add a second 461 and run both in bridged mono, one per speaker, or use the bi-amping mono mode with speakers that offer separate bass and treble terminals. MOONLink makes most sense when the preamplifier or network player also comes from MOON, for example the 491 network player and preamplifier launched alongside the 461.
Alternatives
The MOON 861 from the North Collection is a larger stereo power amplifier rated at 300 W into 8 ohm and 600 W into 4 ohm.
Key specs that matter
Rated output is 150 W per channel into 8 ohm and 300 W per channel into 4 ohm, which is a straight doubling at half the impedance. Bridged into mono, one 461 delivers 450 W into 8 ohm. Input sensitivity is 1 V, input impedance is 22 kOhm and gain is 31 dB. Simaudio lists frequency response as 2 Hz to 100 kHz at +0/-3 dB. THD+N is 0.005% at 1 W and 0.003% at 150 W, intermodulation distortion is 0.005%, signal to noise ratio is 114 dB, crosstalk is -114 dB and damping factor is 425. The chassis measures 42.9 x 8.7 x 36.8 cm and has a shipping weight of 11 kg.
Engineering and use context
The 461 follows a dual-mono layout in which each channel draws on its own MOON Hybrid Power supply module, a proprietary design intended to give stable, low-noise, high-current delivery. A rear-panel switch selects between three operating modes - stereo, bridged mono and bi-amping mono - so the same unit can drive one pair of speakers, a single speaker at higher power, or both sections of one bi-wirable speaker from separate channels. Idle consumption is 35 W, full power standby draws 34 W and low power standby drops to 1 W. MOONLink dual Ethernet ports let the amplifier communicate with other MOON components, while a USB socket serves for maintenance. The side cheeks are bead-blasted aluminium in black or silver. The box includes a quick start guide, an AC power cable, a spare fast-blow fuse, a MOONLink cable and warranty registration information.
Pairing
With its sensitive input, rated power is available from any line-level preamplifier or streamer with volume control, and the input impedance suits both solid-state and valve preamps. Owners who later want more power for a pair of demanding speakers can add a second 461 and run both in bridged mono, one per speaker, or use the bi-amping mono mode with speakers that offer separate bass and treble terminals. MOONLink makes most sense when the preamplifier or network player also comes from MOON, for example the 491 network player and preamplifier launched alongside the 461.
Alternatives
The MOON 861 from the North Collection is a larger stereo power amplifier rated at 300 W into 8 ohm and 600 W into 4 ohm.
Specifications
Model name
461
Input sensitivity (mV)
1000
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
22 000
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
22 000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Max current (A)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
150
Output power (4Ω) (W)
300
Gain (dBu)
31
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
5
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
100 000
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
114
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)
0.003
Max power consumption (W)
N/A
Damping factor
425
Dimensions (mm)
429 x 87 x 368
Weight (kg)
11
Official link
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