familiarity of older audio refinement (yba) and simaudio moon gear?
Well, I did it. I have had my audio refinement Pre5 preamp and Multi5 5 channel amp in my main system driving my ProAc 148s for years and I do like the setup. I do also have an audio refinement Multi2 2 channel amp for the bedroom system. Yesterday, I swapped in a simaudio moon I-3 integrated amp into my main system to evaluate a few things. Why did I do this? Well...
1. The Pre5 preamp has always had some kind of transformer hum. I do not have the cleanest AC power in my neighborhood with a lot of DC on the line. The Pre5 seems very sensitive to this. I tried to fix it by replacing the transformer from another Pre5 that hummed less and was sold for parts only. I also use a Emotiva CMX-2 power line filter which does remove a good amount of DC on the line and I have the Pre5 plugged into this plus my other sources. The Multi5 amp is plugged directly into the wall. I really like the sound of this preamp, but it has very gain. I don't like the sound of the system when I adjust the Multi5 channel level controls to something less than 100%.
2. The Multi5 needs some service. There is line noise on 4 out of the 5 channels, even though I only use 2. I plan to get it in to service soon and possibly sell it. I get a decent amount of speaker hiss when an input with no source is selected on the Pre5 and the volume turned up. This will allow the moon I-3 to burn in and be used for a month or so while I get the Multi5 fixed. I might bring the Pre5 in also to see if they can do anything for it. The Pre5 was in for service a few years ago to fix some RCA connections and I asked them to do a full diagnostics test on it. I will probably sell the Multi5 after is serviced and either go with the Pre5 and Multi2 or the moon I-3.
3. First impressions of the moon I-3. Very, very quiet. No transformer hum whatsoever. Very, very little line hiss on input with no source turned up to 45. Overall impressions after 1 day in the system, eh. It is ok to good but does not better or meet the audio refinement level, yet. I've read in multiple places that the moon I-3 takes a while to burn in. I thought with the positive reviews (many said best amp they have ever heard) and its 5 first watts of class A would allow it to be closer to the audio refinement setup. Does anyone know approximately at what volume level number the I-3 goes from class A to class A/B with a 4 ohm load? Overall, the I-3 is good with good source, bass is excellent with control and different that the audio refinement, dryer mids and I was hoping for sweeter highs, but alas not with the I-3. Also, I am not a huge fan of the I-3's front panel interface and remote. The Pre5 is much more user friendly / intuitive with much more ease of use.
So, let me get to the point of this post. If I cannot get the Pre5 to be dead quiet with no transformer hum like the I-3, can someone recommend a preamp that has 5 - 6 inputs, is solid state (I leave my gear on 24/7), has a remote, is black, performs to the level of the Pre5 (hopefully with less gain than the Pre5) and will match up nicely with the Multi5 or Multi2 or even possibly a moon W-3?
Also, I have a Jasmine LP 2 mkII phono stage. It is a great performer also but does have some sensitivities to my dirty AC like the Pre5 and I get some line level hum and hiss at high volume with that source selected given the Jasmine is setup for low MC with my AT-33PTG/II cartridge and no record playing. Would trying a moon 110LP v2 stage be on the same performance as the Jasmine? I've read the 110 stage is very quiet even with low MC, like the I-3.
I mentioned a moon W-3 above as a possible separate amp. Will it better the Multi2 or 5?
Additionally as a FYI, the Emotiva CMX-2 is the AC only line filter with DC line removal I've found below $1500 that does not take the life and passion out of your system.