If you’re someone with a love of high-end hi-f products, we’d suggest you look ‘North’ to Moon’s latest collection of hi-fi separates.
The North Collection sees the Canadian based audio brand revamp its high-end catalogue of products, and is the result of several years of research and development into the fields of audio, electronics, materials and manufacturing processes.
It’s made up of six products, a list that includes the 681 Network Player / DAC: 641 Integrated amplifier, 761 Power amplifier, 791 Network Player / Preamplifier, 861 Power amplifier, and 891 Network Player / Preamplifier.
New technologies include the Moon Distortion Cancelling Amplifier (MDCA) circuit that’s said to reduce distortion and noise to “previously unattainable” levels. The Moon Damping Base (MDB) is described as raising the bar on mechanical isolation and volume control has been updated for even finer and more exact control over operation.
Other technologies within the new range include the Moon Digital Engine that heightens “every digital performance” along with MoonLink that allows devices to connect with one another over a network link.
Four of the devices in the new range feature new OLED colour screens that display artist names, track listings and album cover art. Users will also be able control volume via the new luxurious BRM-1 remote that replicates the same feel of turning the dial as it is on the product itself and also features a screen in the middle that provides information such as volume and input selection.
And of course, all the products adhere to Moon’s time honoured aesthetic, a mixture of silver and black styling, with every model in the North Collection featuring contoured vertical heatsinks to give them a slightly slender appearance at an angle.
Availability of the Moon North Collection starts in October 2023 starting with the 761 / 791, and followed by the 641 / 681 models and by the end of the year the 861 / 891 will be on sale. Prices start at £11,000 so you’ll want to start saving extra penny ahead of their release later this year.
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Moon 641
The ‘entry-level’ integrated amplifier in the series, the 641 model is described as being able to “drive even the most demanding of loudspeakers”.
- Price: £11,000
- Output Power: 125W into 8ohms, 240W into 4ohms
- Impedance: 22Ω
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 90kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 1 W): 0.008%
- Weight: 26kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 10.2 x 46.5cm (WHD)
Moon 681
The 681 Network Player is designed to partner the 641 integrated amp. You can access music libraries over your own network or music streaming services with the 681, with support for Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, as well as Roon Ready integration (like all the devices in the collection). File support includes MQA and DSD, and there’s HDMI ARC to plug into a TV or projector.
- Price: £12,000
- Impedance: 50Ω
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 100kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 0 dBFS): 0.0003%
- Weight: 18kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 10.2 x 42.7cm (WHD)
Moon 761
Moon’s stated aim for the 761 Power Amplifier is to deliver audio signals from a preamplifier to loudspeakers “with absolutely transparency and finesse”. Inside there are two custom low-noise 700 VA transformers to guarantee a consistent performance, while it’s a step up from the 641 in terms of power output, able to 200W into 8ohms and 400W into 4ohms for more thrust to your loudspeaker performance.
- Price: £14,000
- Output Power: 200W into 8ohms, 400W into 4ohms, 600W into 80hms (mono)
- Impedance: 47Ω
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 100kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 1 W):
- Weight: 36kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 14 x 44.5cm (WHD)
Moon 791
With the 791 we have similar features to the 681 in terms of wireless connectivity and physical inputs. Audio resolutions are supported up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256; and the onboard high-performance phono preamp supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges with turntables.
- Price: £16,000
- Phono input gain: 40 dB / 54 dB / 60 dB / 66 dB
- Impedance: 50Ω
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 200kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0004%
- Weight: 19kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 10.2 x 44.9cm (WHD)
Moon 861
Viewed as the keystone of the North Collection, this giant of a flagship preamplifier comprises of a streaming DAC and phono stage. All the wireless connectivity options in the rest of the range are present here through the MiND2 streaming platform. The OLED colour screen is slightly bigger than on other models (5-inches), and in terms of the design there’s the Moon Damping Base that suppresses “parasitic vibrations” that cause microphonic noise. It’s designed to be partnered with the 861 power amplifier for best-in-class performance in the North Collection.
- Price: TBC
- Output Power: 300W into 8ohms, 600W into 4ohms, 800W into 8ohm (mono)
- Input impedance: 47kΩ
- Gain: 31dB
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 100kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 1 W): 0.002%
- Weight: 58kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 21 x 60.9cm (WHD)
Moon 891
The upper tier the North Collection’s power amplifiers, every feature is turned up to the max with the 891 with its dual mono design able to output 300W per channel into 8-ohm stereo loads, which is doubled to 600W with 4-ohm loads.
- Price: TBC
- Output Power: 300W into 8ohm, 600W into 4ohms, 800W into 4ohm mono
- Impedance: 47Ω
- Gain: 31dB
- Frequency Response: 2Hz – 100kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 1 W): 0.002%
- Weight: 58kg
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 21 x 60.9cm (WHD)
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
