Moon North Collection Versus Pass Labs X350 - Which would have that liquid sound?

@audphile1 Thank you for the info... wow, that is quite story.  This is a big jump (downsize) to a Boulder intergrated. How come you didn’t go half way instead and just a Boulder pre-amp and a single Boulder stereo amp? 

Do you think you will ever move back to seperates? even it is just a preamp and stereo amp? 

The liquid sound I am describing... this sounds a bit bizzare but the cheaper Yamaha rn-2000a had it. It sounded so good. It was just to low-fi for what I want (power, seperates, etc). I try using it a preamp to the Moon 861 but it has really low gain and makes the Moon sound a bit muddy. 

I went to a hifi shop yesterday and I listened to the Accuphase P-4600 stereo amp with it’s matching preamp (forgot what model) on Vandersteen speakers. I was not impressed. It didn’t have the liquid sound I like or anything close. I think partially it is becuase of the speakers. Sometime later, I plan on brining in my Focal Sopra n1 speakers to give the Accuphase a second listen. 

@dman777 I downsized. But I didn’t downgrade!

The 866 is beyond amazing. It’s an amplifier that is completely absent. It will give you exactly what the upstream components are passing thru it. 
I am totally content with my current setup. It enables me to enjoy music and not listen to sounds. Yeah I’d love to try boulder separates but at this point not willing to part with my 866 and dump that much more dough into this system to get questionable outcome and cause further upgrades. Synergy my friend…that’s what it’s all about. More expensive stuff doesn’t always bring more joy. It brings more resolution potentially and takes you away from musical enjoyment. 
 

As to your definition of liquid sound I think you are looking for a sound that’s less hifi and more engaging. Your focals will need to be paired with more musical components to balance the analytical nature of these speakers.

I think Accuphase will be good. I would also consider a tube amp or a tube preamp for your solid state amp

@audphile1 were you able to audition the Boulder 866 before you bought it? 

For my Moon 861, I did have the McIntosh 12000 preamp paired with it (which I sold). It sounded ok, but I did miss that sharp resolution I heard in the hifi store that I heard on the Moon 761. It also sounded a little on the boomy/muddy side instead of tight bass that I heard on the Moon 761 (which were on Dynaudio speakers). 

I hate to go throught the cost and burden of selling the 861 to start over... do you think it would be possible that the Moon could sound liquid like the Yamaha Rn 2000a did (used as a integrated without being used a just a preamp) if I got the 891 preamp? 

Also, just to note... I also owned a Yamaha AS 3200 and even it did not have that nice liquid sound that the rn 2000a had. In fact, it was pretty boring in sound. 

@dman777 no I didn’t audition the 866. I took a chance with it. 
Auditioning doesn’t always give you all the data points you need to get a good feel for anything you’re auditioning unless you do it at home. 
 

So the way I see it, you’re in a bit of a pickle here. You want sharp resolution and liquid sound? That’s nearly impossible. There’s some degree of a compromise somewhere, always. 
You have Moon paired with Focals. That’s razor sharp all out resolution and detail monster. A good way to warm things up is with bass. Add a sub, and treat your room. Use a tube preamp. Listening to 90s punk ain’t gonna get that system to sound anymore liquid either LOL
 

@audphile1 It is a difficult situation.... because jazz, reggage, and classical sound really good on my system which is bright (Luxman 595, Eversolo A10, Focal). On other music it depends on the recording but it can be a bit unenjoyable. 

Later down the road I might buy Dynaudios if I get some extra money. 

Do you mind if I ask your system that you are currently running with now? I checked your profile but did not see if listed.