Moon P8RS _ W7MRS
 

Hi gdtrfb,

I create new post for you here as per your request. Please feel free to ask anything.
May I ask what is your source and speakers ?
Moon P8 + W7M sound fantastic driving my Salon2 using Moon Andromeda
as a source. They provide highly transparent sound with power and speed.
bass control were the best. They also show great matched driving Dynaudio C4
as well. very powerful and great bass as well.
But as my source is Esoteric P03/D03 with quite low output voltage then
it doesn't match well. Moon P8 has a very low gain of 5dB. not 9 as indicated in specification. I need to crank the volume to 70 (max80) sometimes, and that just make loud music rather than great music.
I then sold P8 and bought ARC Ref40 to replace it. Much better.
May be my room is too dead and too large, this low gain problem not quite exist in other set up.
Marc from The Audio Beat told me his Ref40 at volume of 40 was very loud when he use it with Ref250.
in my system Ref40 hit 75-80 when paired with Ref250 and Salon2.

For W7M, in my system , they're always fast. punchy with bright open top end. not very warm or full body in lower freq. Of all amplifier that I compared them with such as Mark 436 mono, 432, Pass XA160.5, 350.5, Vitus class A 50w, Mcintosh MC402, ARC Ref250. Moon make the coolest tone. all other
were warmer, plusher. But none provide same speed and impact. Ok may be
XA160.5 and Vitus make similar power, but not the speed and in the high frequency Moon provide much faster and more extended treble. Please notice
damping factor value of these amp, this may be the answer.
Right now I am looking for amp that just as powerful and fast as Moon while offer a little bit warmer and romantic tone. I think Moon is highly transparent, however.
May be Dagostino Momentum or Constellation Audio Centaur Mono may have a chance to visit my place in the future.

Toga

Toga, the P8 has variable gain (from -10dB to +10dB); you could have added 5dB more with the OFFSET function.

Also, the D-03 gives 4.4V max on the balanced outputs, that's not so low.

Gain offset for each individual line input with a ±10dB range

This allows you to compensate for the different output levels amongst your various source components you will be connecting to the P-8. Slowly rotate the volume control clockwise and “OFFSET” will appear in the display. Press “OK” and the factory default of “+6.0dB” will appear in the display.

You can adjust the volume offset in either 0.1dB (slow rotation) or 1.0dB (faster rotation) increments to either +10.0dB by rotating the volume control clockwise or –10.0dB rotating the volume control counter-clockwise. Once you’ve found the appropriate setting, press “OK” and “SAVED” will briefly appear in the display the “OFFSET”.

Hi Anatta, thanks for your message.
I've done that before on my P8, and it is "volume offset" adjustment, not a truely amplification gain adjustment. This function is to make same loudness between sources.
What I'm telling gdtrfb was about amplification gain, which is fixed at 5dB, despite 9dB is indicated in specification. This low gain is compensated by higher than usual gain of 31dB on Moon amplifier. When I use P8 with other amps that has gain of 26dB like MC402 or XA160.5, this low gain problem was even more noticeable. By setting Offset to maximum of 10dB, is nothing more than increase VOL by 10.0, you will get loudness,
but when you lack of amplification gain, you will feel it.. music will lack real punch and power. one of my pre-amp that have true adjustable gain was Mark Levinson 326s, and this one also has VOL Offset setting too, other than gain of +0,+6,+12,+18 dB or something like that.
About Esoteric output it really make quite lower output in real life in my own system when compared to my previous ARC CD7 or Moon Andromeda, regardless of published specification.
Overall P8+W7M is one great amplification combination. it provide low coloration with speed and impact, sound stage, low noise. replace fuse of P8 with Furutech blue fuse also make it even more musical.
By the fact that I brought many amps to try and still keep W7M in the system is saying something that there is something in the Moon that I want to keep,
I can make system sound warmer by using some plugs and wall sockets or cables.

TOGA

Have you tried the Burmester 911 ?

Hi Elberoth , Wish there is one to try, for the 911 Mk3.
There is no distributor in my country I guess.
Besides, its very low input impedance doesnt match with my ARC Ref40.
Output Impedance
600 ohms Balanced, 300 ohms SE main (2), ***20k ohms minimum load****

Please let me know how does it sound ?

Toga

Toga, I have the P-8/W-7 driving my Dynaudio Sapphires, and if you still have the C4s it may be the speakers that leave you feel like you're missing the warmer tones.

Have you tried using a subwoofer to round out the lower end? That may give you exactly what you're looking for in the system. I'm using a JL Fathom F112, and I hope to incorporate an external crossover in the near future.

Although if you're looking to make a change, Burmester does make some pretty impressive components.

VT Skier,
No, I never owned C4, and W7M doesn't lack low bass, they're just less plush. and less
romantic. Wish t have two of F212 as well, no $$$ available for these at the moment.
I will live with W7M for next 12 months, which is really fine. Actually, after I got RSA Maxim, I already get a fuller and warmer sound. Also A feel gold plated plugs and IEC helped too. So W7M is not that cold and sterile anymore, without direct comparison to others.

Toga, what is the RSA Maxim?

Hello Dafos, how are you doing
RSA= Running Spring Audio Maxim line conditioner
Toga.

Hi Toga,

Have you heard the Soulution 710 amp?
The speed and control of this amp is amazing and I feel its not as cold as the Simaudio.

Cheers