Old School Cool: Simaudio's Moon 250i v2 is a Classic Audiophile Integrated Amp

[@AndrewLittleboy1]

I recently bought their 260DT cd transport and I don’t think I’ve ever been so impressed by one piece of kit!

[@stevehollingbery9744]

Great Riff, I was smiling all the way through. As a long time user of Exposure Amp (15 and 3010) for years I totally get what you said regarding the Sim Moon sound. Nice all purpose kit at sane prices. Cheer guys.

[@analogueman5364]

And another great riff chaps, thoroughly enjoyed. Please keep em coming.

[@mikeyevs]

❤

[@titntin5178]

Nice looking unit, like the look of moon stuff. Cheers for a other good riff.

[@zjzozn]

👍 Very nice quality unit. And the moon looks excellent 😂 another brilliant vlog 👍

[@davidgill2520]

Hi guys, ya sim audio in made in Boucherville, Quebec. It’s near Montreal my home town. Actually Neil had a cottage up in Morin Heights Quebec near the recording studio Le Studio were Rush made all their great albums. So if you want an all Canadian system then match the moon with a pair of Veritys Parsifals or Totem metals with a Bluesound steamer and a Oracle turntable. What happened to the Rush photos on the wall? All the best from across the pond.

[@MrVinylista]

Thanks old chap. We were at my place, in this Riff. Next week it's back to Mike's place, and the Rush shrine that is his studio. PS - would love to do an Oracle, as like Rush it's another genius export from Canadia!

[@davidgill2520]

Hi again, we are also very fortunate hear in Montreal, the music scene is excellent, we have great radio stations and we have some fantastic audio shops. There's one that sells all the British gear. Exposure, Naim, Neat, Graham and Harbeth. Also there is a good used market around that you can find equipment locally. I just bought a new integrated the E-4000 from Accuphase to replace my McIntosh separates. It's beautiful...I worked hard to afford it. Anyways thanks for your effort. Actually my mum and dad are Brits, (mum from Devon and Newcastle but my dad was an Everton supporter)they immigrated to Canada in 1958 and brought up four kids in the Great White north. @@MrVinylista Discovered Rush in 1980 at 15 years ago...I was there at the old forum for Exit Stage Left. Not knowing it's impact... Now you know all the important bits...Thanks for listening.

[@cob1965]

Brilliant! 'A bunch of crappy old amps like Mike has....' Priceless.

[@mikeyevs]

Just rude!

[@cob1965]

I bought a 'crappy old ' myst tma 3 after seeing your review. Its brilliant and I love it, was going to buy a g-ohm but dint quite have the cash! Might have to settle for an Onix oa21s instead for the other-other room.....@@mikeyevs

[@Plastpackad]

The British Beavis and Butt-Head of HiFi 😃 Love your channel.

[@jessicaf2655]

Just purchased this for a pair of Vandersteen 2ce signature IIIs after demoing it in store and just the right amount of punch i needed, music was clear and very well defined.

[@mikecoffee100]

I just baught a Simaudio's Moon 250i v2 being deleiverd on Tuesday am looking forward to it based on these reviews

[@is3commander]

and how is it?

[@jimbrock1441]

Thank you for the attribution, however Moon is made in the province of Quebec and Bryston is from Ontario. Neil Peart is from Hamilton Ontario as is Martin Short. A small point perhaps from an ocean away but I would suspect that saying that Rob Brydon is from Hackney would not go over well either. Still enjoyed the review and others in the series. Cheers from Barrie, Ontario.

[@pedge66]

Thanks for sharing this fun chat, I don’t believe for a minute though that David has water in that mug, it could be the way he’s hanging onto it like grim death 😂

[@MrVinylista]

A scurrilous accusation, sir!

[@mikeyevs]

It's my beer of course! Mike

[@dougg1075]

Probably all the amp ANYONE would need. At fifty five I’ve just now got into tubes. To think I hesitated.

[@MrVinylista]

You have been 'red pilled', in hi-fi terms!

[@mr.wibble]

Entertaining as always. Just a thought ... is Dave the James May of the audio world? :) Cordial wishes chaps.

[@mikeyevs]

Omg... If David is James May who on earth am I! Mike

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

Excellent Riff, complete with deviations. I reckon Mike should do a review of his favourite album by his favourite Canadian band and get it out of his system once and for all! Moon sounds like an interesting product as well! And what sort of relationship doesn't even allow a Nait. Not exactly huge! I'm with Mike on that one, good advice.

[@MrVinylista]

I agree. You can understand her indoors not wanting to dust around a ratty old 32.5/135 combo on a daily basis, but an early NAIT can't do any harm, surely?

[@cremersalex]

I love that first Buggles album.

[@MrVinylista]

It's a masterpiece, isn't it?

[@razisn]

Good fun, I enjoyed this. I am aware of Simaudio Moon but I have never had the chance to listen to one of their products. Naim, well.... suffice to say I've never owned one of those not due to lack of exposure (pun not intended) to them but because I never felt they were worth their asking price. I still feel like this, sorry Mike. Regarding advice to men contemplating moving in with girlfriend (or otherwise to be politically correct), I would have asked about what she'll be giving up for him. 50% of her dozens of pairs of shoes or handbags would be a good start. In that case I wouldn't have argued against his decision, otherwise good advice you offered there, mate.

[@gaetancharbonneau3902]

I admire Mike ""take-no-prisoners" relationship philosophy but I'd be carefull using it. Otherwise, another great riff! Thanks guys.

[@Lomitte-zq8fj]

Hello, Mike and Dave😄 I have a moon 250i(v1)amplifier and I don't know which speaker to choose. My listening room is 10m2. Is the kef ls50 speaker a good idea? I love your vidéos !

[@domo3552]

Great guys! This is my kind of stuff. I'm well off the pace now since my last splash of cash on a serviced Naim 32.5/HiCap/140 twenty years ago & I wonder how these amps like the Moon really compare to the likes of the Naim rig above or something like the Exposure 15 that we used to sell when I worked in a specialist retailer back in the day? I can believe 50wpc from a properly designed amp with decent power supply can do the job more than adequately. Wasn't it Exposure who said something like a decent amp is 80% power supply? The NAP140 is 'only' 40wpc but could probably destroy my Epos ES14's (when are you going to do a Riff on those classic speakers guys!?).

[@philippebertrand3820]

Hi-fi News made a review of the 250i V1 last February. Lab report indicates a real power around 68W vs 50W on paper.

[@johningham4219]

Would this power my dynaudio audience 52 thanks

[@15therock]

How does this compare to Rega Aethos in sound signature? Thanks

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Love naim chrome bumper equipment

[@DavidMTrees]

Great riff lads. I've found 4hero's two pages album on qobuz. What was the track you played ?.

[@MrVinylista]

'Cosmic Tree', with its flare-flapping Moog bass line. We also played 'Escape That' and 'Spirits in Transit' - absolute belters!

[@robertgough5804]

Great riff chaps why so few subscribers

[@MrVinylista]

In the words of Steven Patrick Morrissey, "the world won't listen"!

[@mikeyevs]

The Riff Raff may be a small demographic, but they are a powerful lobby.

[@doifeellucky]

I’d hoped this would come onto the channel as I read David’s review on Stereonet. Great insight as always. I’m looking to upgrade my fairly modest Cambridge CXA60 to something like this or the 3510. Which would work better with lesser speakers till I can afford to upgrade those too? They’re very low budget Dali Zensor 3’s. Thanks for any feedback. I should probably just save and for a bit longer and get both at the same time. I’m considering £1500-£2000 for speakers.

[@philippebertrand3820]

I have the 250i (V1) and Exposure 3010sd2 and love them both. I only listen to jazz and Classic. The Moon is smoother I think, a little more relax. The Exposure is punchier. I prefer the piano on the Moon (a little bit less agressive) and the strings on the Exposure (more luminous). Vocals are great on both. That is my humble opinion.

[@MrVinylista]

@@philippebertrand3820 Great comparison. I'd say that pretty much the same applies for the 250i V2 vs. the 3510. More nuanced midband on the Moon, beefier bass on the Exposure.

[@MrVinylista]

Tricky, as it's down to taste and of course depends on your choice of speakers. For example, the 250i v2 is a very nice combo with the superb Acoustic Energy AE509s; the Exposure is punchier and more bassy but slightly more opaque and less detailed. Either combo would be a big improvement on your CA and DALIs, though.

[@doifeellucky]

@@MrVinylista Thanks David.

[@doifeellucky]

@@philippebertrand3820 Thanks Philippe.

[@Johnny32156]

Do you find it better than rega elicit mk5. How it compares, rega seems like much more powerfull amp.

[@Hi-FiRiff]

One for David @MrVinylista

[@Chimpsfingers]

@@Hi-FiRiffa review of the elicit would be nice

[@Larstig81]

I have never heard a Simaudio amplifier, but if this amp is like Exposure then it could be a great combo with my little Proacs. But I have to sell some audio stuff.

[@Hi-FiRiff]

It certainly would (Tablets?) Mike

[@Larstig81]

@@Hi-FiRiff yes, it is. Tablette 10 signature.

[@Hi-FiRiff]

Gorgeous!

[@JAMESBROWN-xs7ow]

I have proac D15 floor standers and I'm thinking of this amp or exposure 3510 any thoughts

[@r423fplip]

Is it better than a sabaj A30a ?

[@steven2809]

🤣

[@richardmanning4090]

Very enjoyable video again guys, not so sure about Mike’s philosophy for domestic bliss - not that brave myself.

[@MrVinylista]

Very wise!

[@mikecoffee100]

I was wondering is it worth it going from the Cambridge Audio AXA 35 to the sim audio ?? and Subscribed and liked

[@Hi-FiRiff]

It's a good question... I would find a decent Moon dealer who will let you do the comparison. Mike

[@CheekyFest]

RIP Neil Peart ( -2020)

[@MrVinylista]

A god among men.

[@CheekyFest]

@@MrVinylista TBH I don;t know his style / music, but I'm aware that many people loves / love what he did.

[@Carl-yx1ww]

Audiolab 9000a better? Say yes cuz i have it cheers.