This December marks 25 years we first saw MOON by Simaudio’s shadow cast in UK markets, which is largely thanks to UK distributor Renaissance Audio, headed up by John Carroll.
Not only is John one of the coolest cats in the British hifi scene, he’s also one of the most savvy, spotting early on just how good MOON’s audio stable was (and for that matter, VPI’s, Nordost’s and more recently Audiovector’s) and the potential of offering it to UK audiences, ripe for something a little different than the gear on offer from the usual suspects.
North Collection range showing the three product series within it, with the 600 models being the first step
And while MOON makes a range of accomplished more affordable amps (as we saw a few years back with its 340i X model, which is still in production today), the models on test here are taken from its recently introduced flagship North Collection, launched last May (regular readers may recall our exclusive interview with MOON Product Director Dominique Poupart and Chief Commercial Officer Étienne Gautier at the time).
This means that while the 641/681 models are the entry points into the North models, they’ll still cost you £11k and £12k respectively, highlighting that these are MOON at the fullest, to use an obvious analogy. And while this is a serious outlay, to put it into hi-end context, this combo is still £2k cheaper than the entry level Progression integrated amp from premium brand D’Agostino, for example.
MOON’s North Collection 641 integrated, an amp that’s fit for today’s hi-end generation
Keeping it simple
Starting with the 641, this is the only integrated amp within the North Collection range, with the 700 and 800 models being preamp only, with builtin network players, designed to be paired with dedicated corresponding power amps.
At the 641’s heart lies a true dual mono design with separate large toroidal transformers powering each stereo channel, helping to account for the amp’s 26kg shipping weight. Its power output is quoted at 125W into 8 ohms per channel, doubling to 250W into 4 ohms and handled by 4 bipolar transistors per side made by OnSemi, manufactured and tested to tighter tolerances than standard, exclusively for MOON.
Inside the 641 resides well laid out internals and two huge toroidal transformers, revealing its dual mono configuration
It’s clear that MOON has designed each North Collection product with its wider range in mind, which means due to the 681 DAC/streamer also being in the offing (more on this shortly), the 641 is analogue only, leaving the digital side to its dedicated stablemate. And while some may baulk at the lack of digital inputs on an amp in this day and age, to me this makes a lot sense: Firstly because analogue only makes for a simplified design, with less potential for internal interference from added digital circuitry.
And secondly because digital products have a habit of becoming obsolete at a much faster rate than analogue, due to the rapid march of technology in this area. Meaning in a few years time you could end up with a perfectly capable amp hosting yesterday’s DAC inside. (I’ve lost count of the all-in-ones I’ve tested and bought only to find that in the blink of an eye they’re obsolete because the digital section has fallen behind the times.)
North Collection 641 rear connections are top quality and while only catering for analogue inputs, offer four pairs of single-ended RCAs and one set of balanced XLRs
Other omissions include headphone socketry and any hint of a phono stage, as this baby is line-level only. But while these would be favourable on the spec sheet, at this price I’d expect to be using dedicated separates for spinning vinyl or donning cans anyway. The 641 is instead therefore a thoroughbred, that’s less about boasting an elongated feature list and more about the quality of what is included. This translates to an uprated M-VOL3 precision analogue volume control and MOON’s Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier tech (MDCA), which employs an independent circuit with precise signal correction to significantly lower noise and distortion. All of this is topped off of course with MOON’s game changing BRM-1 Intelligent remote-control.
Best in the business? MOON’s BRM-1 remote deserves plenty of table top time
All in the mind
All of the 641’s excellent build quality is carried over to its partnering 681 DAC/streamer, which is designed around MOON’s MDE1 digital engine – a re-clocking FPGA (field-programmable gate array) chipset which prepares the fully balanced eight DAC outputs (four per side) to perform at their best. This is then married to the brand’s MiND2 network player tech, giving access to a range of streaming platforms including AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Deezer, HighResAudio, Qobuz, TIDAL, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect. As you’d expect at this price, it’s also Roon Ready offering PCM/MQA support up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD up to 256/11.3MHz.
North Collection 681’s full colour front panel displays album/track artwork, incoming sample rate and file type
Versatility is perhaps higher up the 681’s priority list, offering the brand’s MHV (MOON Hybrid Volume) tech which blends digital attenuation with analogue gain to offer a high-performance volume control, meaning the 681 can also be operated as a preamp in variable output mode as well as fixed, while the audio signal stays in the digital domain.
Inside MOON’s 681 DAC/streamer reveals its proprietary ‘MHP’ power supply and MDE1 digital engine
Unboxing both units and the build quality and styling immediately gets your attention, as both products are a well crafted blend of confidence inspiring materials and solidarity, with design flare from every angle. Chunky curved corners, thick embossed and recessed top plates, contoured and concave heatsinks (without any screw heads or fixings in sight) are all factored in, framing their 4.3” full-colour graphic display screens, which underlines these products as premium quality hifi that are a solid cut above average.
And this is topped off when you remove the BRM-1 remote from its black velvet bag. Devialet’s remote control has been the benchmark for me, but with its more tactile feel and angled-towards-you touchscreen, I think MOON’s offering trumps it (if only all hifi remotes were this well designed).
The 681 has all types of digital inputs catered for, from optical to coaxial, USB, Ethernet, HMDI and AES-EBU
Performance
Setting up both units is easy. Starting with the amp, once powered up you’re greeted by an intuitive digital screen that feels every bit how modern hifi should, alongside one of the smoothest multipurpose volume/select rotary dials I’ve ever encountered. Options include input select (with funky connection images), display settings (brightness, background image, screen off, sleep mode), network and remote control link up.
The 681 Network Player offers similar menu configurations, including being able to switch between fixed and variable output and opting to see the incoming sample rate. Once synced with the remote you then need to download MOON’s MiND app and sign in to your streaming accounts.
The view from above, curved lines and embossed branding are classic MOON hallmarks
Having tested, lived with and in some cases suffered a variety of third party hifi control apps, MOON’s MiND is better than most and a joy to use, especially when used alongside the BRM-1 system remote control. This is a world away from the usual scrabbling around with separate remotes, trying to work out which controls each player. And when the music is playing, the artwork is immediately displayed within both the app and on the 681’s interface, which again, is how hifi in this day and age should operate.
MOON’s MiND app is a joy to use
Driving my reference Dynaudio Evoke 50 loudspeakers proves no issue for the 641 amp. And while this may be expected with all those watts on offer, the Dyns’ 4 ohm/87dB load/sensitivity means these loudspeakers welcome plenty of real power to stop them sounding flat or bloated, and that’s exactly what the MOON offers.
Move to the melody
Father John Misty’s latest single I guess Time Just Makes Fools Of Us All streamed from Qobuz at 16-bit/44kHz (FLAC) requires an amp that can properly grip your drive units to fully convey the energy of the track’s funky rhythm and flamboyant horns, which the MOON combination steps up to with ease. But it’s not just the power on hand that’s impressive, it’s the measured delivery that allows this complex mix to sound more open and detailed than it should at this resolution
As we found with the 340i X model some years back, there’s an enviable balance of detail with melody to MOON’s audio electronics and the 641 also has these attributes, albeit on a much more finessed scale. There’s a smoothness to this pairing that’s so alluring, the all too common hifi cliche of listening for hours without fatigue is a fitting description. This is perhaps aided by the pairing being on the mellower side of neutral, which means the music still sounds honest while being easier on the ear for sustained listening sessions, including with the volume whacked up.
Attractive from every angle, MOON’s 600 North Collection models
Serve them a benchmark track like Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble’s Tin Pan Alley (AKA Roughest Place In Town) at 24-bit/176kHz (FLAC) and the luscious guitar licks are afforded all the time in the world for their sustain to resonate and hang in the air, pulling you not only into the detail of the track, but the mood of the music.
And this gets to core of what this combination does best in capturing not just the musical information with an even and accomplished hand, but going that bit further to also showcase its essence. Hearing Blondshell’s Docket (feat. Bully) at 24-bit/96kHz hammers home this point in how the MOONs render the rumbling punchy percussion with its garage band nature, allowing for the raw layers of power chord guitar to be laid over the top in a dense and rich soundstage that’s full of untamed energy, which is a pure musical shot in the arm.
In summary
As an introduction to its North Collection flagship range, this pairing holds nothing back. First class build, delightful sonics and a user experience that’s better than most. The 681 DAC/streamer marries cutting edge tech with a user experience that’s a pleasure to use, while the 641 is the respective bargain of the North Collection bunch, offering the range’s pre and power amp tech in a moderately sized package that punches high. Unreservedly recommended.
