2008 Product of the Year Awards
RonRaguso -- Mon, 12/29/2008 - 10:09
I'm a subscriber of the TAS and presentlyy reading your 1/09 issue. I'm a bit confused with the difference between the Integrated amp of the year (Simaudio Moon i-1) and the Budget Component of the Year (Naim Nait 5i). Your article states that the 5i "sounds more like real music than any other amp in its class", but why is the Simaudio i-1 the integrated amp of the year if they were both reviewed in 2008?
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Both the Simaudio Moon i-1 and the Naim Nait 5i are excellent, and giving the i-1 the Integrated Amplifier of the Year Award and the Naim the Budget Component of the Year Award was a way of honoring both these outstanding products.
Thanks for your reply.
I had narrowed my choice between these 2 units based on the TAS reviews and others reviews plus I have limited height space in my unit. I have the JM Labs 726V and I was hoping to audition either one of these units. My dealer where I purchased the speakers didn't have the Moon i-1 on display but did have the Moon i-3. I was impressed with the bass response, detail and the punch coming from the 726V. It sounded better than my AV processor/amp combo which is why I leaning towards a dedicated 2 channel system. I'm not sure the Moon i-1 or the Naim 5i will have the same effect especially since the i-3 is around $1000 more. It's hard to make a decision if you can't listened these amps thru your own speakers. My dealer did offer me a good deal ($1,900) on the i-3 since it is being replaced by the i-3.3. If any one has listened to these amps thru JM Lab speakers or have any other comments, it would be greatly appreciated.
Ron
Ron,
I recently purchased the Moon i-1 and it's everything the reviews say it is.
My loudspeakers are Totem Sttafs and my CDP is an Arcam 73t.
The bass is tight/extended, the mid is warm/detailed and the highs
sweet/clean. Overall it's very musical and I couldn't be more pleased.
I compared the i-1 to the Creek 5350SE and Naim Nait 5i and although
I found them enjoyable as well, I knew the Moon was something special
when the first note was played. The Naim was warm and detailed, but
lacked the extended bass I was looking for. The Creek's bass was closer
to that on the Moon, but it lacked the warm mid of the Moon. One review that
I read about the Moon said it was if a veil had been lifted from the music. That
is exactly how I would describe it too. It's very clean/articulate and for $1500
I don't think you're going to get better bang for the buck.
Hi Ron:
It is difficult to make a choice without hearing both amplifiers through your speakers. I think, however, that you can't go wrong with either. I haven't heard the i-1, but have listened to i-7 at length and think it is one of great integrated amps. The discounted i-3 is quite tempting.
Robert,
I took your advice and I returned to me dealer last night along with my brother to audition the Simaudio Moon 1-3 again and we were both blow away with the punch, detail and soundstage coming from this integrated amp. My dealer lowered the price down to $1800 and I jumped at it. After I set it up in my home, we were even more impressed with this amp. My JM Labs came to life!!!!!!!!!!! We couldn't believe the smoothness and clarity of the music. The soundstage expanded well into the room and at times you could swear the rear channels were on. It was actually this amp that I audition the JM Labs and was impressed by their soundstage and sound quality. The punch of the instruments and bass plus the detail are now alive in my living room.
Thanks, Ron
Ron:
I'm glad it worked out. It sounds like you got a great buy. I've always been tremendously impressed by the sound quality of every piece of Simaudio gear I've heard.
Enjoy the music.
Thanks again.
What is your take for purchasing an after market power cord? My dealer suggested I start with either a Harmonic Tech Pro-AC-11 ($200) or a better discontinued Synergistic cord discounted to $300. I'm hesitiate to upgrade since I've read different opinions concerning power cord upgrades and can it make a difference at my level of equipment?
I recommend trying the power cord in your system before you buy. Yes, a good power cord will help with any level of gear. Just don't spend a disproportionate amount of your system budget on AC cords.