transparent,open,loads of details,extended,refined and elegant sound,amazing all around amp!!

none for an integrated.

I've had some decent gear in my set up over the years,some tube some ss,they all have their merits but this little integrated is a very special one,for me it's the best all around piece of amplification i can recall,it's just amazing
from the minute i turned it on it just blew me away,forget about the fact that i only paid $1,250,at it's full retail price or twice,three times more still is amazing,this one i'm keeping,now with this amp,my digital set up,resolution audio chronos splitting the digital signal into two quantum dacs in balanced configuration i'm finally in audio heaven,
i don't understand how someone can give this piece of equipment a 3 stars except that maybe this person was more interested in ergonomics and features than in quality,or maybe the rest of his system could not reveal the sonic
magnitude of this amp,anyways happy listening to all,AL

Similar Products Used:

rogue audio tempest,b.a.t.,sonic frontiers,pass aleph 3 and 5,goldmund sr1,conrad jonhson premier 11a,etc.

Aesthetics, very musical

ultimate slam

I was lucky to get this unit used with only 2 hours of use on it. I saved $1100 and still had to break it in. I purchased this amp used almost 2 months ago to create a music only system to go along with my HT setup. I am using the Moon I-5 with Sonus Faber Concertinos and a Musical Fidelity E60 CD player. Cables are DH Labs BL-1 interconnect and Silversonic T-14 biwire speaker.

So far, this amp has made the biggest difference in the quality of the music I am now realizing. For music, this far exceeds what my Marantz AV550 and ATI AT1505 were capable of reproducing. There is so much more resolution without an accompanying increase in brightness. Instruments sound "wetter". The notes are fuller, and I am now more often fooled into thinking I am experiencing something live.

This is definitely the best high end purchase I have made.

Similar Products Used:

none of this caliber

a true audiophile's integrated amp

NONE

The only way to really appreciate a particular model is to get a chance to compare it to other great models within a single listening session.

The YBA Integre DT was one of the best integrated I've known and owned, but comparing it side by side with the I-5, game over in 10 minutes.

The Manley Stingray was another unbelievable integrated, outstanding dynamics and accuracy of a solid state but with the seductive liquidity of tubes. Almost a perfect sound if only there is a remote. Side by side with the I-5? I was somewhat surprised I like the sound of the I-5 over it. On this comparision, the overall listening experience and enjoyment of the music after 2 complete tracks made me chose the I-5 (remote or not), the neutrality and honesty of the Sim just could not be overlooked.

The Mark Levinson 383 Integrated was to me supposedly the integrated to kill all other integrateds. With exact same system and setup, 30 seconds into the vocals and I had to declare : I know the reputation, I know about the price tag and the "money no object" design but damn .. this is a really bright sounding unit ?? What is going on here ?? I guess some audiophiles must collect only top notch recordings in order to enjoy this integrated. Otherwise, I swear I was in sibilance city. Maybe what I experienced was some strange components mismatch but.. I don't know.

The Conrad Johnson CAV50 was also a pushover when compared to the Sim. It is not a bad integrated in any way, in fact it is pretty good for the price. But up against the Sim, it was too laid back and resigned.

Some of you reading this might be saying, this dummy shouldn't be comparing tubes to those recent SS design, it's like eating sushi after having spicy cajun appetizers. It's wrong!! You know what, that's probably accurate. But if you think about it again, the Sim is not really a bright or overexaggerated unit, in fact it is quite neutral, so .. maybe the comparision is not unwarranted. But hey, I'm no professional audio mag contributor, I route aircraft cables for a living, so I guess I can be out to lunch and still be OK.

The Bryston B60, the Krell 300I, the Classe 151, the Cary Integrated, the MF A300 ... these I did not have a chance to audition. It would be nice if other I-5 owners can perhaps fill in the blanks here.

Does anything out there sound better than the I-5? Most definitely. The two Manley 300B SETs controlled by a CJ 17LS just blew the I-5 and even the Sim W3/P3 combo out of the water, but I work for a living and so.. such is life

Anyway, I got the I-5 and I am very happy and thrilled with the unit. I do want to congratulate Mr. Poulin of Sim Audio and his staff on a very nice achievement and wish them the best. I am also very glad I live just south of them because I just recently realize the Brits across the waters have to pay 2500 pds for their I-5 (ouch #*!), but you know what chaps, it is probably still well worth it.

Similar Products Used:

see below

transparent, holographic, self effacing

needs smaller rooms and efficient speakers to shine

If you're an audiophile, if you love the music, this one should be on your short list to audition. I've heard high end seperates with another 0 attached to the price tag that do not do as well. Open, transparent sound with a wealth of detail and dynamic nuance that this game is all about. In terms of dynamic gradation, imaging, and consistancy of sound at various volume levels, this unit competes with the best of the tube designs. No transistoritis here. It is self effacing in the respect that it gets out of the way and lets the music and performers play. It's one of the few units I've heard where dynamic information is conveyed as integral to the music rather than the reproduction. This amp is both frequency and dynamically coherent. No frequency spotlighting. You don't notice the mids, the highs, the bass - only the performance. Some people may be troubled by the fact that the dynamics or frequency characteristics aren't drawing more attention to what the amp is doing. If so, you may have to question if you're really looking for an amplifier sound, rather than music. Stop your analyzing and start listening.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 3020 on up

Clear uncolored sound, no feedback from amp

Lack of input, ie: proper tape loop, turntable, could
use a least one A/V input, Digital input would be nice
also. Lack of output power, clips easily when it nears
the 47 out of 50 possible volume selections

A few months after I had purchased it I noticed that it had
the wrong silk screen label on it. The manual it came with
was for the Celeste model. I contacted the company, they said they would send the proper manual (2 months ago) nothing has shown up. Very dissappointed with the whole
deal wish I had bought something else.
The i5 otherwise is a good amp, it would be better if it
had about 120 watts a channel. A subwoofer loop would also
be great to cross over the speaker with. In general the sound it produces has shown the weakness of my main speakers which can't take the bass the amp pushes at nearly full volume. Need to replace speakers now since clipping is occuring at high volume. However my last amp @ 200 watts a side never clipped or distorted my speakers, not sure why the i5 does this ,I guess that my speakers just aren't good enough for the i5.
The i5 has improved over my old amp which was a Carver m500t. The Carver had tonnes of volume but little control and imaging of the speakers. All the music and movies have
taken on a new light and as the i5 broke in over the months the sound seemed to warm a little each day. Everything sounds new and fresh.
Finally the i5 could have used more inputs, my Carver preamp had lots and I quickly ran out of inputs on the i5.
A digital input should have been included as well, since my
cd player has a digital output I am now considering getting rid of the i5 and looking into a digital capable amp.
I like this amp but at the same time I hate it.
Sorry but I should have bought something better suited for
my needs as this turned out to be a costly mistake.

Musical with outstanding highs, midrange. Build quality. Remote control.

No balanced (XLR) input.

In my limited experience of the last four years or so, my neverending search for the perfect sound continues. My budget doesn't allow me to spend the big bucks required for the top components so logically my quest has directed me to the integrated amplifier, the most cost effective avenue to achieve my goal. I have been fortunate enough to experience many types of integrated amplifiers on the market. Finally, I believe that my search has ended, for now at least, in that I have found the integrated of my dreams.

The Simaudio I-5 provides a musicality unbeknownst to the integrated market. The highs and the midrange are superior to all the integrateds I have listened to only slightly edging out Simaudio's own I-5080 and the Levinson 383. As we know, the Levinson is close to twice the price of the I-5 while providing for a very similar overall sound. I'm not into paying for the big name if I can get something which is just as good at half the price. So why not purchase the I-5080 which is half of the I-5's price and almost as good while providing more overall power? It was a tough decision, but the I-5 proved to be a better match for my setup which includes the Wadia 830 cd player and the Alon II, Mk I speakers wired with MIT Shotguns throughout. That was probably the deciding factor.

As for comparisons to the Krell and the Rowland, the I-5 was far superior. The sound was not fatiguing or as bass-heavy as with the Krell. The I-5's soundstage, depth and overall presentation killed the Rowland. The only drawback with the I-5 is lack of XLR inputs which in theory could reduce the noise floor considerably. However, in my comparisons with the Krell and the Levinson this was not a significant issue. This may have to do with the top quality connectors Simaudio uses on the unit.

Simaudio is no rookie when it comes to high end audio. Quality products are the name of the game and depending on what suits your needs, they are sure to have something for you.

Similar Products Used:

Krell KAV 300i, Jeff Rowland Concentra 2, Simaudio I-5080, Mark Levinson 383

Smooth, wonderful sound. Beautiful unit and you can do wrist curls with the remote.

Tends to sound better at lower volume, NO HEADPHONE JACK!

This is a used SimAudio Moon I-5 integrated amp - paid $2100 (Cdn), 9 ½ years left on the ten year warranty, mint condition. (List price - new : $3200 )

I have to say, I started to like this amp when I hooked it up to my PSB Stratus Goldi's, but there was something missing. Very smooth, detailed and musical but something definitely missing. It just didn't quite have the presence or impact that I expected (or was used to). Oh well, what can you expect? After all, it's a 70 watt integrated amp (110 watts to my 4 ohm PSBs). Still, it sounded very good, probably the best integrated amp I have ever heard.

Now usually, whenever I am unsatisfied with the sound of my audio system, I go into tweak mode. You know the drill, swap the interconnects, move the speakers, go back to single wire as opposed to bi-wire, etc. Earlier, I had noticed that there was a pre-out connection on the back of the unit, so I decided to hook up my 20 year old (bridged) Crown D150A amps to the I-5.

This is where I fell in love with the Moon as a pre-amp. Just beautiful. The clarity and control of the Moon coupled with the power of the Crowns is a match that I could definitely live with until the time comes when I am ready to upgrade my amplifier(s).

BTW, before I plunked down the cash for the I-5, I auditioned the SimAudio Moon P-3 pre-amplifier at home. I still thought the I-5 was a better choice for me at this point in time. It just seemed to do a better job of taming my Crown amps.

Very happy with this integrated amp.

Simply the best audiophile purchase that I have ever made! It is that simple ... flawless .... would have bought this unit for four times what they are asking for it. Using it to drive a pair of Dynaudio Craffts with the Esotar tweeter.

Detail, transient response, frequency range

None at this price

For 25 years I have maintained a love affair with music and I have struggled with the value issue. Having had subscriptions to The Absolute Sound (in the 1980's) and The Stereophile Magazine (in the 1990's) I have kept abreast of what is new and exciting; but I kept my Hafler pre/power amp.

Then I stumbled upon the Sims Moon I-5 integrated amp. Obviously, if you want separates there are other options just like if you want tubes there are other options...but if you want an integrated amp at a reasonable price the Sims Moon I-5 is the your option.

I have records that I have listened to for over 25 years that I swear I am hearing for the first time with this new amp (my taste in music runs from classical to jazz to rock to new age). The clarity, the definition, the spatial soundstage, the distinct highs, and tight bass are absolutely breathtaking.

This amp is truly natural; it seems to disappear and let the music be the music. At $2000 I could not expect anymore. I could go on and on and compare this amp to numerous amps from the past and ones I have auditioned now all I can say is that this amp does it all nicely and at a great price.

As a side note:

The people at Sims Audio have been very helpful as I had to contact them to find a dealer. The dealer was Jim Keene at Audio Essence in Kennesaw, Georgia and I have to admit he has been very helpful, very truthful, and an absolute gentleman; Kennesaw Georgia is 6 hour drive from Bowling Green, Ky., but I am reccommending him to everyone I meet!

My System:

Linn Sondek Turntable (Linn Atiko Arm and Dynavector D17D2 II cartridge.
Audio Analog Maestro CD
B&W Nautilus 805 Speakers
Harmonic Tech interconnects and speaker cables
QS&D Rack and Cambridge Audio Isolation Pads

Similar Products Used:

Hafler, Linn, Naim

Clean, good detail

A bit thin

I recently auditioned the I5 using a Smart CD source and Totem Hawk speakers (which, if I didn't already own JM Lab's, would be in my living room).

I made the mistake of auditioning the Cary SLI-80 immediately before and the I5 didn't really do anything for me. The Cary was more open and sounded richer and the location of the sound stage seemed further back and wider.

There's nothing wrong with the I5 but it was just boring.

It's silly I suppose to compare tubes to ss but I guess I know what I'll be buying next.

Compared to other ss integrateds I think the W5 holds it's own both in terms of absolute performance and value for the money. It should definately be on your short list of auditions but listen first because everyone's ears are different.

Similar Products Used:

Alchemist Kraken, Bryston B60, YBA Integre DT, Rogue M120, Cary SLI-80