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Moon 761 -> 861 upgrade but keeping the 791 preamp/streamer

Hi there, I have a Moon 791/761 combo that feeds a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy 50th Anniversary speakers. I’m looking for opinions on upgrading from the Moon 761 to the 861, under the assumption that I keep my Moon 791 as the streamer/DAC/preamp.

I should note that my listening is all-digital: Qobuz + local library via Roon. No analog sources — and no plans to go that route.

I love the 791 + 761 combo, especially given how clean and detailed it sounds. But I am wondering what the 861 might bring to the table, especially with Wilsons or other super-revealing speakers. Is it a real step up in terms of grip, dynamics, soundstage, etc.? Or is the 761 already "most" of the way there? Finally, am I missing out on some weird incompatibility between the 791 and the 861? I doubt it, but thought I’d ask.

Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions.

 

 

debrajray
bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover
158 posts
 

@debrajray it is known that "lots of books" do not serve any meaningful room treatment purpose. Their absorption and diffusion are highly marginal, at best, and indeed only for the highest frequencies (shortest wavelengths).

That’s just wishful thinking on some people’s part.

I agree with some other responders that there’s no point in spending quite a lot of $$$ on an 8-series upgrade without having a very well sorted-out listening room, acoustically.

As least from a sound quality perspective. Now, if you want to do it for the purpose of feeling good about having their top-end unit, that’s another matter.

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

@bimmerlover a veritable voice of reason! I agree with you, even though I'm going to go over to my dealer and listen for the fun of it. I don't have a well-treated room (acoustically speaking) --- and don't intend to turn my living room into a listening room either --- and I think I can do better on the speaker cables, so I am "unbalancing" what I have by going for the 861. So: better cables is a more natural step. Finally, nope, I don't need to feel good about having their top-end unit. Well put; thanks!

jaymark's avatar
jaymark
546 posts
 

Grover Huffman Pharoah speaker and interconnect cables are damn good cables.  I have a full loom of them in my refernce system.  I have also used Zavfino Silver Dart IC’s - they are excellent but more expensive cable than the Grover Huffman stuff.

singere
50 posts
 

@debrajray - I'm thinking of upgrading my Moon 390 to the 791 which would be powered by Moon 761 amplifier. Speakers are Sonus Faber Sonetta V (Gen 1) with Transparent super interconnects & speaker cables. What's your opinion on the 791? 

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

@singere  I have never compared the Moon 390 to the 791 with the amp held constant. I have heard the 390-330A against the 791-761 and there is absolutely no comparison; the latter is in a different league. I suspect that the 791 is a far better match for the 761 than the 390, and it will be well worth doing the upgrade.

I do have two Moon systems: the 791-761 and the 891-761. I am not nudging you towards the 891, but even between two closer cousins you can tell the difference at several levels, most importantly on the noise floor. I would bet that the difference between the 791 and the 391 would be far more obvious.

Finally, the 791-761 combination (leaving out comparisons) is just superb.

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