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Preamplifiers — Moon by Simaudio 491
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Moon by Simaudio 491
Image source — © Moon by Simaudio
The 491 from MOON by Simaudio, the Canadian electronics maker, is a network player and preamplifier that acts as the control centre of the Compass Collection. It gathers network streaming, analog preamplification, digital-to-analog conversion, phono amplification and headphone listening in one chassis, and its starting price is USD 6,500.
Key specs that matter
The analog preamplifier stage has 10 dB of gain, an input impedance of 22 kilohm and an input sensitivity range of 0.3 V to 5 V. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 200 kHz within +0.5 and -3.0 dB. THD+N is 0.0004% and intermodulation distortion is also 0.0004%, while signal-to-noise ratio is 120 dB and crosstalk is -120 dB. Idle power consumption is 16 W. The case is 42.9 cm wide, 8.7 cm high and 35.7 cm deep, and weight is 9 kg.
Engineering and use context
Digital conversion uses two ESS 9039Q2M chips running in dual-mono mode, with a precision clock and a dedicated output stage after them. Streaming runs on MiND 2, the brand's own network platform, which handles UPnP and is Roon Ready, and the unit also accepts Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect as well as Spotify Connect. Control comes through the MiND Controller app on iOS and Android devices, or with the bundled CRM-4 aluminium remote. Its integrated phono section takes moving magnet or moving coil pickups, with impedance, capacitance, gain and equalisation curve selected from the menu rather than by internal switches. Power comes from MOON Hybrid Power supply technology. A large colour display shows album artwork, and the black chassis carries bead-blasted aluminium cheeks in black or silver. The boards are modular so that sections can be updated later. On the digital side the network platform and the dual-mono DAC share the chassis with the analog line stage, so one box replaces a streamer, a DAC, a phono preamplifier and a headphone amplifier and does away with the interconnects that would otherwise run between them.
Pairing
The recommended partner is the MOON 461 power amplifier, and both units were introduced at the same time as a Compass Collection pair. The modest gain and wide sensitivity window let the 491 drive other power amplifiers too, while a record player plugs into the 491 itself without a separate stage. Headphone users can plug in directly, so the 491 can also serve a desk or bedroom system with no power amp at all.
Alternatives
The MOON 791 network player and preamplifier from the North Collection is the higher-performance model built on the same concept.
Key specs that matter
The analog preamplifier stage has 10 dB of gain, an input impedance of 22 kilohm and an input sensitivity range of 0.3 V to 5 V. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 200 kHz within +0.5 and -3.0 dB. THD+N is 0.0004% and intermodulation distortion is also 0.0004%, while signal-to-noise ratio is 120 dB and crosstalk is -120 dB. Idle power consumption is 16 W. The case is 42.9 cm wide, 8.7 cm high and 35.7 cm deep, and weight is 9 kg.
Engineering and use context
Digital conversion uses two ESS 9039Q2M chips running in dual-mono mode, with a precision clock and a dedicated output stage after them. Streaming runs on MiND 2, the brand's own network platform, which handles UPnP and is Roon Ready, and the unit also accepts Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect as well as Spotify Connect. Control comes through the MiND Controller app on iOS and Android devices, or with the bundled CRM-4 aluminium remote. Its integrated phono section takes moving magnet or moving coil pickups, with impedance, capacitance, gain and equalisation curve selected from the menu rather than by internal switches. Power comes from MOON Hybrid Power supply technology. A large colour display shows album artwork, and the black chassis carries bead-blasted aluminium cheeks in black or silver. The boards are modular so that sections can be updated later. On the digital side the network platform and the dual-mono DAC share the chassis with the analog line stage, so one box replaces a streamer, a DAC, a phono preamplifier and a headphone amplifier and does away with the interconnects that would otherwise run between them.
Pairing
The recommended partner is the MOON 461 power amplifier, and both units were introduced at the same time as a Compass Collection pair. The modest gain and wide sensitivity window let the 491 drive other power amplifiers too, while a record player plugs into the 491 itself without a separate stage. Headphone users can plug in directly, so the 491 can also serve a desk or bedroom system with no power amp at all.
Alternatives
The MOON 791 network player and preamplifier from the North Collection is the higher-performance model built on the same concept.
Specifications
Model name
491
Analog inputs (balanced)
1
Analog inputs (single-ended)
1 + Phono
Analog outputs (balanced)
1
Analog outputs (single-ended)
2
Gain (dBu)
10
Input sensitivity (mV)
300 - 5000
Output voltage (V)
N/A
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
Maximum output level (balanced) (dBu)
N/A
Maximum output level (single-ended) (dBu)
N/A
Volume control range (dBu)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
10
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
200 000
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR, unweighted) (dB)
120
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) (%)
0.0004
Dimensions (mm)
429 x 87 x 357
Weight (kg)
9
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