Simaudio Moon i-3 RS Integrated Amplifier and Moon Equinox RS CD Player

Simaudio have been manufacturing audio equipment for more than twenty years now and the Moon range has gone from strength to strength. Their components are impeccably constructed and totally pain-free to own.

But the sound that characterises their smaller integrated amplifiers and certainly the Equinox RS CD player does not indicate the style of the whole range. When I tried the i-7 integrated amplifier last year I was surprised to hear how smooth and warmly balanced it was, like the big, expensive W-5 power amplifier. It seems to me that the smaller model has a very different way about it and does exactly what such amplifiers should by being sharp, open and musically to the point. While I have certain reservations about the Equinox RS CD player, I am not going to criticise it for having such a deliberate and overt style as there is no doubt that when you pair it with the newer i-3 RS they will definitely kick life into your music. The amplifier still reminds me in some ways of the early Naim amplifiers in its exuberance grip, agility and sheer willingness to drive a loudspeaker. I think the changes that Moon have introduced have made it even more appealing and better value for money. The price for good CD players is coming down all the time so the Equinox, at the same retail price as the amplifier, does not represent such good value. But get it into the right situation and I guarantee that it will hold your attention.