Moon Audio W-5

Crazed
Crazed Posts: 60
edited March 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
I may have a chance to purchase this amp at a significant reduction from its MSRP. I'll be using it to power the Gallo Ref 3s. Anyone have any long-term experience with it? Do you see a significant advantage over, say a Rotel 1090?

I've listened to it, but not in comparison to the Rotel. With an Eric Clapton HDCD it made me smile -- I heard things I never heard before on this. However, it's stretching my wallet and making me postpone my tube purchases.

What do you think?
Main System:
PreAmp: Rotel 1098 with MF X-10v3
Amp: Rotel 1090, 1075, 1070
Source: Pro-Ject RM9 with Blackbird Cart., Denon 2900 with MF X-DACv3
Speakers: Gallo Ref 3s (LR), Gallo Due (C, SR, SL), Gallo Micro (RR, RL)


Second System:
Receiver: H/K AVR 630
Source: Pioneer 563
Speakers: Polk RTi10s (LR), CSi5 (C), RTR 200 (SR, SL)
Post edited by Crazed on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2005
    I thought someone in the gang just bought one of those.....hmmmm :confused:

    I have heard good things about that gear, but do not have personal experience. Never pass up a good deal....the tubes aren't going anywhere.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,546
    edited February 2005
    I've read about and heard the 1090, only read about the Moon, so with that in mind it's my suggestion that you get the Moon and don't look back. From all accounts, it's in a whole different class than the Rotel.

    Besides, I think you've already answered your question with your own comment, "....it made me smile -- I heard things I never heard before on this."
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited March 2005
    I just upgraded from a Rotel RB-980BX to a Simaudio Moon W-3. This was a significant upgrade from the Rotel and I have no regrets whatsoever.

    I have looked at both amps you are contemplating. The 1090 is a great amp for the money and you can’t go wrong with it. The W-5 is in another league. It has been said that the W-5 is one of the best amps ever made, regardless of price. I agree with that statement after listening to one for over a year at a local shop with Wilson Audio Maxx, Watt/Puppy and Sophia speakers.

    All I can say is that great opportunities are rare. Take advantage of them while you can.

    Edit:

    I see that you have two multi-channel systems. There is a Simaudio Moon Titan 5-channel amp on Agon last time I looked. Have you considered upgrading to a multi-channel amp? When your funds have sufficiently recovered, you can always have another two channels added for 7 channels. Just a thought.

    Edit 2:

    Link to a used W-5. This unit is the latest production version of the unit. There is another auction for an original version of the W-5. The first link has the latest circuit layout.



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