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

@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.

I am listening to the 761 on audition...First impressions, reference level sound at the expense of some musicality. Need to put it through more records, but there are better amps for much less money. To each their own ear I suppose. To me it calls balls and strikes a little more than I prefer.  

@jc51373 i hear you. I agree it’s neutral. What preamp are you hearing it with?

my main issue is that this 761/791 combo is very unforgiving when it comes to older recordings. But with high resolution music I think it’s pretty amazing. 

@debrajray I am running the Leben Pre, and I am listening to analog so all in all the front end is warmer and musical. I agree with you, this amp definitely shows bad recordings and shines on good recordings. It's very transparent overall, and that isn't going to be for everyone...I feel like it I am missing some of the romance and musical message I am used to with my current Class A amp. I guess it just depends on what you want, I am one to give some some detail and transparency for musicality and flow. 

I would add that I think alot what I am hearing is the difference between a mosfet based amp and a bipolar based amp...Grip and bass, transparency accuracy all improves but loses alot of the things Mosfets bring to the table. I am sure there are bipolars that can do both, but not this amp. 

It sounds incredibly good with say billie Eilish and some rock and pop...But for jazz and blues it's a mixed bag for sure.