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


Question.... Has anyone heard both the Moon Amp 861/891 preamp and the Pass Labs X350 amp and x22 preamp? 

I would like to know which one would have more of a liquid sound? 

dman777

@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. 
 

@dman777 Sure. Meitner MA3i DAC used as roon end point, tidal connect, jplay renderer into Boulder 866 using Kimber KS1116 XLRs, VPI Prime X with Hana Umami Blue into Lab12 Melto 2 or Whest Two.2 (listed for sale), with Kimber Carbon phono cables and Kimber Carbon XLRs into Boulder, with Wilson Sabrina speakers. 
Kimber PK14 base power cord on phono, Kimber PK14 Ascent on DAC, Kimber PK10 Ascent on Boulder. Audience FrontRow speaker cables. 

Dynaudio won’t save you. What power cable are you using with the luxman? I remember I tried AQ Hurricane on my amps and it was so fat sounding with pass labs that I couldn’t tolerate it. It could be just the ticket for your luxman. TMR usually has a few used ones on sale. It’s not a neutral sounding power cord but in your situation might wanna give it a shot. Best yet, add a sub and balance out the sound. You will probably be happier that way.