原装 加拿大 惊雷 Simaudio MOON W-3 后级

Simaudio MOON W-3 Power Amplifier

Reviewed in Vol. 11#3 Source: Simaudio Ltd. Price: $3,195.00 US Rating:

This is the lower-powered and most recent model of the Moon series amplifiers-the more expensive line of the Simaudio brand from this manufacturer based in Montreal, QC. To recap, the company has been in business since 1980 when they introduced the Sima amplifiers, named after the founder Victor Sima. Now owned and guided by John Poulin, Simaudio has grown into a global concern with markets in over 15 countries. While the Celeste brand is sold by many, the Moon series-the company's flagship components-are available only at select dealers who specialize in high-end equipment sales.

Appearance:

The Moon series of components are beautifully constructed, emanating distinction and elegance. While this amplifier was in our studio, every visitor stopped to take a closer look at it. The reason, simply said, is its "cool" appearance. Who can ignore a gold-coloured, raised logo shining on a 3/4 inch thick, clean steel-gray faceplate. A small light under the logo indicates the unit's status. The on/off switch is located on the unit's rear where we also find WBT speaker terminals, four RCA inputs as well as XLR inputs for balanced interconnects. The left and right sides of the amplifier accommodate rounded heat sinks which are directly connected to the amp's transistors. On the unit's right rear, next to the main AC switch, is a small button marked "reset". This feature allows the amplifier to remain in a start-up mode and also functions in the protection circuit. The "reset" button activates the amplifier's operating mode. A detachable AC cord fits into the recessed and fused AC input. The body of the amplifier sits on four large posts which serve as the supporting feet for the unit. Small tiptoe-like cones can be inserted into the bottom part of these posts, thereby addressing potential vibration problems. The attention to mechanical and practical detail marries well with the amplifier's visual appeal which is best described as a blend of brawn and refinement.

Though a union of contemporary styling and high-tech fashion, the Moon's prowess is within its exterior . . .

Technology:

As with the previously reviewed Moon W-5, the design philosophy embraces what the company calls "renaissance technology". This depicts a "no feedback" design, employed here with the help of a unique proprietary transformer designed in-house (John Poulin's background is in high-tech transformer design for low and high frequency application). While zero feedback designs aren't unique and have been used by many amplifier designers, it is rare to find the method used in an overall-global-application. Poulin's research revealed that feedback loops slow down an amplifier's transient response and he addressed the problem by reconfiguring the output section(s) with added circuit stability, low impedance and oodles of current. The Moon is a dual mono design which employs hand-selected components from upscale suppliers including Motorola, Dale and Cornell Dubilier. Military-grade circuit boards are used to achieve utmost reliability. The Moon's distinctive heat sinks assure temperature stability and provide added reliability. This also allows the emitter resistance value to be a low 0.1 ohms, rather than the industry's typical standard of 0.3 ohms. Poulin maintains that the difference results in better detail, more air, greater dynamic range and high frequency extension. The W-3 delivers 125 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load, 230 w/ch into a 4 ohm load and a whopping 480 watts into an 8 ohm load when used in the mono configuration. Distortion is below 0.05% at 1kHz/125 watts, below 0.1% at 20kHz/125 watts. Signal to noise ratio is 96dB and the damping factor is no less than 500 under any load condition. One more thing for those who are wondering: the XLR (balanced) inputs on the amp's rear allow connecting the amplifier in this mode but don't depict the amplifier as a truly differential design. However, the unit can be switched into a mono configuration. Notwithstanding that the specs are impressive, the proof, as always, is how it handles music.

The Sound:

Back in 1997-in Volume 9, #3 of TIER-we published a review of this amplifier's larger brother, the Moon W-5, and we were impressed with the amplifier's ability to exploit the considerable finesse of a pair of electrostatic loudspeakers. This time around, we had the Focus Audio speakers, reviewed in this issue and a pair of Angstrom Obbligatos on hand. Connected with Nordost interconnects to our in-house Opal preamplifier, we bombarded the Moon with our regular selection of program material, played back by a Roksan CD player, and an Elite transport/Audio Alchemy DAC & DTI Pro system. Speaker connection was achieved with Nordost SPM and Straight Wire cables.

The loudspeakers we used for the auditioning sessions quite readily revealed the Moon's finesse in handling all sorts of program material. From rock'n roll to Mahler, from pianissimo passages to crescendos, the amp didn't hesitate to reproduce musical variances with the utmost reality. As Poulin claims, the Moon's high frequency extension is indeed up there with some of the best amps we have listened to. Midrange areas-including lower and upper-are managed with that touch of sophistication one may expect from high-end, highly resolving amplifiers. Bass, though very resolved and explicit doesn't offer the rich pleasing character some listeners love. Rather, it is linear in complexion and doesn't allow the slightest hint of boominess when full-range loudspeakers are used. This amplifier will conjure up a sound stage that will impress the most discriminating listeners. The front-to-back scope is magnificent and allows a look into the sound stage. Horizontal and vertical imagery reveals believable boundaries, four feet off the floor just as one might hear in a live performance. Focus on instruments and voices is not only realistic, but is also presented fixed in the appropriate space on the sound stage. That's imaging at its best, possibly a touch better than the previously reviewed larger sibling, the W-5.

Synopsis & Commentary:

After listening to literally hundreds of amplifiers over the past thirteen years, our panelists are fairly indifferent to devices which do not go beyond the ordinary. The Moon held the panelists' attention, surprising them with its performance as a relatively cost efficient component. All remarked that the amp's most noteworthy accomplishment is its ability to reveal a program material's "inner detail". In addition, the Moon offers great tonal balance. When we completed our listening sessions, our collective consensus was that the W-3, though lower powered than its sibling, is the more accurate amplifier. However, those who use power-hungry loudspeakers are well advised to look at the W-5 as it offers similar performance but more muscle than the W-3. Those with more efficient speakers should have a look at the W-3, not for its power rating, but for its ability to deliver outstanding musicality and great sonic precision.